Research on the pressure relief mechanism and modulus adjustment method of spacer fabric

The unique “sandwich structure” of spacer fabric endows it with outstanding properties such as pressure relief, breathability, and moisture permeability, which have led to its extensive use as a mattress material. When used as a mattress material, it needs to comply with ergonomics, which requires providing different cushioning properties in different areas of the mattress. To address these challenges, this paper initially investigated the pressure relief mechanism of spacer fabric, and then combined it with 3D printing materials based on the principle of structural coupling. The article selected four different pillar densities and four different pillar areas of 3D printing materials, which were then combined with spacer fabrics for compression testing. The experimental results showed that the modulus of the composite material increased by a factor of 2.6 and the energy absorption increased by 41%. This indicates that adjusting the pillar density and pillar area of 3D printing materials can effectively regulate the modulus and compression performance of the spacer fabric. Finally, this paper obtained a quantitative expression model for the compression of spacer fabrics and composite materials. This study provides theoretical support for adjusting different moduli and compression properties of spacer fabrics in different regions when applied in the field of cushioning, and has important guiding significance.