Tensile properties of thermoplastic weft knitted composites

This study investigates inelastic tensile properties of thermoplastic weft-knit textile composites, made of polyester or polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene continuous filament yarns. Blending ratio, knitting direction, composite thickness have been selected for optimized tensile properties of the textile composites. Tensile properties of strip composite samples were determined on the MTS Universal Testing Machine. The findings indicate that interlock composites were superior to rib 1x1 composites in term of their composite tensile strength. Optimal yam blend ratio and thickness of the composites were identified. Both of the knitted structures showed superior tensile properties in the wale direction to the course direction.