INTRODUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

WEFT KNITTING

WARP KNITTING

PROPERTIES

APPLICATION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

Spacer fabric is a three-dimensional

knitted fabric consisting of two separate

knitted substrates which are joined together

or kept apart by spacer yarns.

First layer – hydrophilic nature

Second layer – hydroscopic nature

Spacer layer – mono or multi filament

This three dimensional fabric is

comprised of an initial layer for moisture

release, an interior layer for air flow, and a

third outer layer for heat dissipation.

According to the end uses the spacer

ends of mono-filaments may be polyester,

polyamide or polypropylene. These fabrics

are designed for air-flow and cushioning

The middle to create two separate

fabrics (spacer fabrics) are essentially pile

fabrics that have not been cut consisting of

two layers of fabric separated by yarns at a

90 degree angle.

Spacer fabrics (3D fabrics) are produced

through knitting and weaving technologies;

among these technologies knitting is the

most common manufacturing process for the

production of spacer fabrics.

There are two types of spacer fabrics:

warp-knitted spacer fabric and weft-knitted

spacer fabric.

The first type is knitted on a rib raschel

machine having two needle bars, while the

second is knitted on a double jersey circular

machine having a rotatable needle cylinder and

needle dial.

3D Spacer structures are much like a

sandwich the constructions comprising two

separate fabric webs which are joined together

by spacer threads of varying rigidity.

Where the face and back of the fabric

are knitted separately ,at the same time , it

is interconnected by monofilament yarns .

Three layer of this fabric is

constructed at the same time, so the cost of

laminating or combining is reduced.

Circular knitting machines with two

sets of needles have the ability to create two

individual layers of fabric that are held

together by tucks. Such a fabric was

referred to as a double -faced fabric also be

called as spacer fabric.

It is produced by flat , v-bed and purl

machines.

All techniques require the use of at least

three different yarns for each course of visual

fabric.

The degree of space or height between

the two fabric faces is determined in the

circular knitting machine by the setting of the

dial height relative to the machine cylinder.

Spacer fabric heights preset in this way

can vary between 1.5 and 5.5 mm.

With the uses of high and low butt

needles, spacer fabrics are produced in weft

knitting by tucking on dial and cylinder needles

at the same feeder and knitting/plating on the

dial needles .

At feeders 1&3 spacer yarn knitted on dial

needle and tucked on cylinder needles.

Warp-knitted spacer fabrics consist of two

ground surfaces, which are bound through pile

yarns with stitches.

The production in Raschel machine with two

needle bars is possible and has great similarity to

flat knitting.

Great flexibility is associated with warp-

knitted spacer fabrics because different materials

may theoretically be used in guide bars 1 and 2, 3

and 4, and 5 and 6.

Raschel spacer structure has more

advantages as it can be produced with

dimensional stability and/or stretch.

Also the air and water permeability of the

structure can be controlled.

In this method we can produce different

width of spacer fabrics without ripping or

raveling structure.

The force required to press the two

surfaces together (pressure resistance) is

dependent on the mass of mono-filaments in the

structure, which means yarn count, stitch density,

and machine gauge in relation to the spacer fabric.

Some other properties of warp and weft

knitted spacer fabrics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Excellent compression elasticity

Breathability / Air permeability

Cushioning

Insulation

Good bending performance

Drapability

Adjustable vapourtransport

Recyclable / Latex free

AESTHETIC & COMFORT

Age resistant

Sterilization capabilities

Surface resistance

Wash resistance

Temperature regulation

Light weight

Diverse surface design capabilities

OTHER PROPERTIES

Elimination of cut and sew operations

CAD Usage

Design Flexibility

Rapid prototyping

Yarn diversity

Increased attributes(eg. Wicking,

extensibility)

Varity of end capabilities

Automotive Textile

Home Textile

Sports clothing

Medical textile

Technical Textile

The 3D specialty structured spacer fabric

is a new emerging field for the new product

developments, as their differential

characteristics offer more extensive conditions

for varied applications.

Shanna M.Bruer, Nancy Powell, Dr.Gary Smith, “Three-Dimensionally

Knit Spacer Fabrics: A Review of Production Techniques and

Applications”, JTATM, Volume 4, Issue 4, Summer2005

“Warp knitting technology for production of technical textiles and their

applications”, ITB Fabric Forming, Volume 37, 1991

Ulrike Schlenker, “Use of warp-knitted spacer textiles in mattresses”,

Melliand International, May 2006.

Ahmet Unal, Gerald Hoffmann, Chokri Cherif, “Development of weft

knitted spacer fabrics for composite materials” Melliand International,

May 2006.

Prof. D. B. Ajgaonkar, “Knitting technology”, Universal publishing,

1998

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