What is it about?
This review examines the growing potential of 3D woven and knitted spacer fabrics for advanced technical textile applications. These unique fabrics possess desirable characteristics that make them suitable for a range of functional products. The review provides a comprehensive exploration of spacer fabric fabrication techniques, properties, and key parameters, highlighting that woven spacer fabrics excel in composite reinforcement, while knitted versions offer benefits like enhanced air-trapping for cushions, medical textiles, and protective applications. By synthesizing this research, the review offers valuable insights to guide researchers and manufacturers in leveraging the untapped potential of spacer fabrics for innovative functional products in the technical textiles field.
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Why is it important?
The key uniqueness of this review lies in its comprehensive examination of the potential of both 3D woven and knitted spacer fabrics for technical textile applications. While these fabric structures have emerged as significant advancements, the review notes that previous literature has lacked a holistic exploration of their capabilities. By delving into the fabrication techniques, properties, and parameters of both woven and knitted spacer fabrics, the review provides a thorough and comparative analysis that highlights the distinct advantages each offers. For instance, it underscores how woven spacer fabrics excel in composite reinforcement due to their high integrity and stability, while knitted versions are better suited for applications like cushions and protective textiles due to their enhanced air-trapping capacity and double-faced nature. This multifaceted approach allows the review to offer valuable insights that can guide researchers and manufacturers in harnessing the untapped potential of these innovative fabric structures across a wide range of technical textile domains.
Perspectives
This review provides a comprehensive and timely examination of 3D woven and knitted spacer fabrics, highlighting their unique properties and potential for diverse technical textile applications. By delving into the fabrication techniques, performance characteristics, and comparative advantages of both woven and knitted spacer fabrics, the review offers valuable insights to guide researchers and manufacturers in harnessing the untapped potential of these innovative textile structures. The review's multifaceted approach allows it to underscore how woven spacer fabrics excel in composite reinforcement, while knitted versions offer enhanced air-trapping and cushioning benefits for specialized functional products. Overall, this work represents a significant contribution to advancing the understanding and utilization of 3D spacer fabrics in the rapidly evolving technical textiles industry.
Bekinew Kitaw Dejene
Hawassa University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring the potential of 3D woven and knitted spacer fabrics in technical textiles: A critical review, Journal of Industrial Textiles, January 2024, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/15280837241253614.
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