Multifunctional polymer-based composite materials with weft-knitted carbon fibrous fillers

The production technology of reinforcement filler for new multifunctional polymer based composites with weft-knitted structure had been proposed. In such reinforcement filler high-strength carbon fibers (CFs) from PAN precursors (wefts) were laid in a knitted fabric as straight continuous yarns, so in such case these CFs were not twisted by knitting machine to form the loops. Various kinds of chemical and inorganic fibers can be used as base yarn in this case, in particular glass, aramid, carbon fibers from hydrate cellulose and etc. Properties of multifunctional polymer-based composite materials with weft-knitted fillers depend upon fiber composition, relative content of weft and base yarns, scheme filler stacking (1D, 2D and 3D composites). The electrical conductivity of weft-knitted fabrics shows the strong anisotropy along high-strength fibers in comparison with looped rows, depending on the direction of high-strength CFs (weft). Investigation of shielding properties of polymer based composites reinforced by carbon weft-knitted fabrics showed the possibility of using them as shielding materials with the ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation