H. Hong

Theoretical analysis of load-extension properties of plain weft knits made from high performance yarns for composite reinforcement

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the tensile properties of plain weft-knitted fabric. Load-extension curves in the coursewise and walewise directions for fabrics made from glass fibers are theoretically calculated and compared with experimental results, and good agreement is obtained between them.

Design and Marketing Innovation

Trends in global textile and clothing strategies are briefly reviewed to introduce the Portuguese context, and the development of Design & Marketing education and research at The University of Minho. The development of textile-oriented multimedia technologies is discussed with reference to the SME multimedia corporate and product presentation model and the interactive fabric library. New innovative design tools such as the use of fractal geometry in computer-aided textile printing design, the application of chromotropic pigments by a spraying technique, and the development of a CAD system for fancy yarn design are also discussed. The work conducted in developing novel weft-knitted structures for technical applications is reviewed with reference to 3-D structures, sandwich fabrics and a multiaxial technique.

International Conference on Natural Fibers—Sustainable Materials for Advanced Applications 2013

1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal 2 Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India 3 Department of Plant Agriculture, School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada 4 Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Fibrous Reinforcements for Composite Materials: Producing and Modelling

This paper presents some of the recent research work taking place in the development of complex shape preforms using weft-knitting and braiding technologies for technical applications, especially for composite materials reinforcement. A FEA model has been used for the prediction of the deformation behaviour and related mechanical properties of weft knitted fabrics and corresponding composite material. A plain weft knitted fabric, based on the simple loop structure, is simplified and represented by a 2D hexagonal structure constructed by the non-linear truss elements. The characteristics of the truss elements for FEA simulation are obtained from experimental results through an analytical method when a loop is converted to a FEA model. The elongation deformation is simulated in one, two and multi directions. The model can also be used to calculate a plain weft-knitted fabric to be deformed to fit a 3D mould with a spherical form.