Some Significant Advances in Spacer Fabric Technology for Newer Areas of Applications

Knit spacer fabrics have gained popularity in varied functional applications. Some important types of these fabrics are highlighted. One such is in medical applications, wherein the weft knit spacer fabrics have been attempted in treating pressure ulcer. The results show that the air permeability, thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability of weft knitted spacer fabrics are comparable with the existing wound dressings. The compressional resistance and resilience of them are good for providing protection as wound dressing. The absorbency of them is somewhat better than some wound dressings; however, they are suitable for pressure ulcer wounds with no heavy extrude. Warp knit spacer fabrics offer a better option over polyurethane foam in car seats owing to their advantages such as better recovery to compression, thermal properties and breathability. Flat-knitted spacer fabrics offer a strong potential for complex shape preforms, which could be used to manufacture composites with reduced waste and shorter production times. This article focuses on the improved strength and stiffness of woven three-dimensional (3D) spacer fabrics used in fiber reinforced plastics. The spacer fabrics were manufactured using E-glass/polypropylene (GF/PP) hybrid yarns and are intended for lightweight engineering applications. Flat-knitted spacer fabrics offer a strong potential for complex shape preforms, which could be used to manufacture composites with reduced waste and shorter production times.