The influence of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt content on the mechanical risks of protective three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics designed to wear next to skin

This study examines the resistance of three-dimensional (3D) weft-knitted fabrics to mechanical risks to determine the influence of varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt on cut, puncture, abrasion, and tear resistance. The three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics are designed by separating functional layers: the outer (protective) layer contains varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt; the inner layer (suitable for contact with the skin) contains polyester; both layers are connected using polyamide. The strength properties of knits in response to mechanical impact were evaluated by performing cut, puncture, abrasion, and tear resistance tests. Basalt was found to improve the cut resistance of knits significantly, even with its content as low as 5% in the outer layer. The knit with the highest high molecular weight polyethylene content in the outer layer demonstrated the best puncture and tear resistance. No correlation was established between the varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt and the maximum number of abrasion cycles, as the three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics showed no noticeable wear. The test results show that the structure of three-dimensional weft-knitted fabric with the outer layer designed to withstand mechanical impact and the inner layer suitable for direct contact with the skin protects against a wide range of mechanical impacts. This applies even when varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt are used only in the outer layer.