Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) laminates from weft rib knit glass preforms with added reinforcements were developed using closed mould vacuum resin suction technique. In all, six types of preforms (with additional reinforcements in the course direction) were obtained using a flat bed hand-knitting machine. The laminate fibre weight fractions ranged from 0.37 to 0.67 and their tensile and flexural properties were evaluated. Test results indicated that strengths higher than those of the woven fabric composites could be achieved in the course direction with unique failure modes occurring differently from those of the latter.
1. A. Fujita, A. Yokoyama and H. Hamada, 1995, "Simulation of mechanical behaviors of knitted fabric composites by numerical analysis method,"Proceedings of the tenth conference of American Society of Composites, pp. 581-590.
2.
2. S. Chou and C.-J. Wu, 1992, "A study of the physical properties of epoxy resin composites reinforced with knitted glass fibre fabrics,"Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. II, pp. 1239-1250.
3.
3. S. Ramakrishna, N.K. Cuong and H. Hamada, 1997, "Tensile properties of plain weft knitted glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites,"Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 16, No. 10, pp. 946-966.
4.
4. W.L. Wu, H. Hamada, M. Kotaki and Z. Maekawa, 1995, "Design of knitted fabric reinforced composites,"Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 14, pp. 1032-1041.
