Response and failure modes of biaxial warp-knitted flexible composite subject to low-velocity impact

In this paper, biaxial warp-knitted fabrics were produced with different high tenacity polyester linear density and inserted yarns density. The low-velocity impact property of flexible composites made of polyurethane as matrix and biaxial warp-knitted fabric as reinforcement has been investigated. The effect of impactor shape and initial impact energy on the impact response of flexible composite is tested. The results show that the initial impact energy have minor effect on the impact response of the biaxial warp-knitted flexible composites. The impact resistance of flexible composite specimen increases with the increase of high tenacity polyester linear density and inserted yarns density. The damage morphology of flexible composite materials is completely different under different impactor shapes. The findings have theoretical and practical significance for the applications of biaxial warp-knitted flexible composite.