Studies on mechanical behaviour of knitted glass-epoxy composites

Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) laminates from weft rib knit glass preforms with added reinforcements were developed using closed mould vacuum resin suction technique. In all, six types of preforms (with additional reinforcements in the course direction) were obtained using a flat bed hand-knitting machine. The laminate fibre weight fractions ranged from 0.37 to 0.67 and their tensile and flexural properties were evaluated. Test results indicated that strengths higher than those of the woven fabric composites could be achieved in the course direction with unique failure modes occurring differently from those of the latter.