Effect of structural parameters on formability of auxetic weft-knitted fabrics based on zigzag structure.

AbstractAuxetic materials are characterized by a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR), which expands when stretched and shrinks when compressed. Due to the synclastic curvature of auxetics, they have good formability. These properties make them useful in applications requiring formability, such as composites, fashion and clothing, medical, protective, and sports fields. In this research, auxetic weft-knitted fabrics based on foldable structures were knitted. The effect of structural parameters including fabric pattern, yarn count, and loop length on the formability of auxetic weft-knitted fabrics was investigated and compared to plain weft-knitted fabric (Jersey). Auxetic fabrics with three distinct patterns and three different loop lengths were knitted using polyester yarns of varying three counts. Then, the formability experiment was conducted using the hemisphere mold, and the forming energy of fabric samples was obtained. The results demonstrated that auxetic fabrics exhibit superior formability to conventional (non-auxetic) fabrics, attributed to their synclastic curvature. Among the auxetic fabrics, those with larger zigzag angles, finer yarn counts, and larger loop lengths showed higher formability. These findings enhance the potential applications of auxetic fabrics in various industries such as medical and protective, emphasizing their ability to conform to complex shapes with minimal wrinkling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]