On the mechanical response of woven para-aramid protection fabrics

What is it about?

The initial condition of the structure of the fabric's knitting form, before applying a load, is closely correlated with the performance of the fabric under loading. The present study focuses on the mechanical response of para-aramid protection fabrics under tensile loading and suggests a knitting angle as a considerable factor for the behavior of the fabric. A global and a local method are applied to monitor the effect of this angle on the fabric's performance and deformation mechanism. The experimental results indicate that this angle affects both the fracture propagation mode and the fracture toughness. A failure onset detection mode, based on this angle, is also suggested, followed by a calculation of the further feasible deformation of a permanently deformed zone until the next failure.

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Why is it important?

In order to facilitate future studies and research, the objective of the present paper is to provide an in depth analysis of the mechanical behavior and response of woven para-aramid fabrics under tensile loading and to introduce an important feature that affects both the deformation and the failure mechanism. Present studies attempting to predict or rationalize the observed energy dissipation characteristics of fabrics as a function of their intrinsic structural and mechanical properties, lack the investigation of the effect of possible deterioration of the fabric knitting form, during material packing and/or transport, on the mechanical response of fabrics. In the present study, the change in a critical structural characteristic called “knitting angle” is suggested as a considerable factor affecting the mechanical behavior of para-aramid protection fabrics under tensile loading. The response parameters examined pertain to the fracture load value recorded and the deformation/fracture mode occurred, while a detection mode of the failure onset zone is also provided.