Parametric numerical simulation of composite reinforced by knitted fabric

Research in parametric analysis based on numerical simulation of composite materials reinforced by weft-knitted fabric is carried out. The aim of this research is to predict the mechanical properties of the composite by experiments and the SolidWorks simulation within given assumptions and boundary conditions. The yarns were impregnated with epoxy solution and dried in further process for the experiment. The impregnation process helps control the fiber-resin ratio. The different fiber volume fraction is tested to see the effect of impregnation on the elasticity of the composite. The same analysis is done on three different composites, Carbon yarn (230 GPa), Steel yarn (210 GPa), and Hybrid CarbonSteel yarn as reinforcing material and Epoxy(4 GPa) as the matrix material. Leaf and Glaskin models were used to create a loop structure of the knitted fabric. To reduce the complexity and overall computational time, a generalized structure called the unit cell is created for the entire model due to the symmetrical shape of loops. The numerical simulation is done in transverse directions by fixing the geometry on one side and applying displacement on the other side. Composites were tested by tension experimentally (ASTM D3039 standard method) and numerically (Finite element analysis) until fracture of the fiber structure. The maximum value of stress is taken into consideration for both principal directions. Simple Hooke’s law was used to calculate elasticity and eventually other mechanical properties of the material. The effect of single and multithread on the elastic properties of composite materials was determined. The results of elasticity for the different values of fiber volume fraction of 0.1 to 0.5 were determined and compared with the experimental data. The obtained results are in great agreement with the experiment data.