Impact performances of monoaxial knitted fabric composites

This study aims to investigate the impact performances of the monoaxial knitted fabric composites to evaluate the effect of straight yarns within the reinforcement knitted fabric. Monoaxial knitted fabric composites have enhanced in-plane properties and it is important to evaluate the effect of yarn insertion on the impact performances because knitted fabric composites are preferred due to their out-of-plane properties. Bending, impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests were performed on the composites reinforced with monoaxial rib knitted fabrics. The flexural properties, the peak force, the damage area and the energy absorption capabilities under drop weight impact loadings and the compression strength after impact of the composites were evaluated comparatively. The results indicated that the monoaxial rib knitted fabric reinforcement enhances the bending and CAI performances of the composites, but it causes detrimental effects on the impact performances of the composites. The use of yarn insertion for the enhancement of the composite performance necessitates considerate planning for an optimization between the in-plane and out-of-plane properties of the knitted fabric composites