Structural design and mechanical properties of glass fiber weft-knitted biaxial tubular fabrics

In order to design glass fiber weft-knitted biaxial tubular (WKBT) fabric with the excellent dimensional stability and outstanding mechanical properties, six kinds of WKBT fabrics were prepared by four kinds of knitting structures (1 + 1 rib structure, face plating structure, back plating structure and face and back plating structure) and two kinds of stitch yarns (polyester and polytetrafluoroethylene fiber). The tensile properties, tearing properties and bursting tearing properties of WKBT fabrics with different binding tightness were investigated. The results showed that the failure of WKBT fabric was composed of the breakage of insertion yarns and the breakage of knitting structures. The tightness of knitting structures have significant effect on the mechanical properties of WKBT fabric. Compared with 1 + 1 rib structure, the plating structure affects the mechanical properties of WKBT fabrics by improving the weft density, binding tightness and dimensional stability. The kind of stitch yarn is another factor that affects the mechanical properties of WKBT fabrics.