Effect of weft yarn laying on tensile properties of weft-inserted knitted fabrics

Abstract

To investigate whether the combination of tuck and miss stitches can be used as an alternative method to produce weft-inserted fabrics, in cases where the weft knitting machine is not equipped with a weft insertion system, straight yarns with various densities and arrangements have been inserted in the course direction of rib weft knitted fabrics. The results of tensile tests in the course and wale directions denote that the use of straight yarns increases the tensile strength and tensile strain of the fabric in both directions, while the elastic modulus increases in the course direction. Furthermore, increasing the straight yarn density leads to an increase in the tensile strength and elastic modulus and a decrease in the tensile strain in both directions. Eventually, since the weft yarn arrangement has no significant effect on the fabric tensile strength and elastic modulus, this method can be used as an alternative method to produce weft-inserted fabrics.