The effect of 3D weft-knitted fabric composition on puncture, tear, and air permeability

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of 3D weft-knitted fabric fibre composition on the risk of puncture and tear and evaluates the air permeability of these protective knits. For this purpose, different 3D weftknitted fabrics, consisting of outer (protective), binding, and inner (suitable for contact with skin) layers, were produced on an E20 circular weft-knitting machine using different quantities of high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) (from 49% to 24%) and inorganic yarns (from 0% to 23%) in the outer layer while the quantity of polyester in the inner layer and polyamide in the binding layer was kept the same. The puncture and tear resistance tests were conducted to determine the resistance of the 3D weftknitted fabrics to mechanical risks. The air permeability test was performed to assess the comfort properties of the protective 3D weft-knitted fabrics. According to the puncture and tear resistance testing results, it was determined that the highest HMWPE percentage content in the outer layer of 3D weftknitted fabric provided the highest resistance to these mechanical risks. Based on the air permeability test results, it was found that knit with the highest inorganic yarns content in the outer layer achieved the highest air permeability value.