The pressure reduction property of silicone rubber reinforced by warp-knitted spacer fabric

In this research, a new type of flexible cushioning material was fabricated from silicone rubber reinforced with different lengths and contents of flax short fibres and warp-knitted spacer fabric (FSR-WSF). The pressure reduction property and energy absorption capability of the FSR-WSF were thoroughly studied based on the plane compressive test. Furthermore, the obliquity model was utilized to characterize the dispersion of WSFs with different structures. The results demonstrated that a larger modulus and a smaller fracture strain were obtained for silicone rubber reinforced with 1.26% short flax staple fibres that were 2.5 mm in length. Additionally, a remarkable pressure reduction property was exhibited by an FSR-WSF containing 2.16% 3.5 mm short flax fibres, where the values of \(\mathrm{csc}\alpha\) and \(\mathrm{csc}\beta\) were 1.05 and 1.57, respectively. The results illustrated that the pressure reduction property of the FSR-WSF was the result of coupling between its internal components. These findings could contribute significantly to the development of composites reinforced by warp-knitted spacer fabrics.