Curvature control of weft-knitted spacer fabric through elastic inlay

Wearable cushioning products that accommodate the body contours are challenging to fabricate. A method that controls the curvature of spacer fabric thus facilitating a high degree of conformity to the body is proposed here. Elastic yarn is inlaid into one of the surface layers and the feeding rate is controlled. The physical properties, curvature and compression properties of five samples with the same knitted structure but different feeding rate of the elastic yarn are evaluated. The results show a linear relationship between fabric curvature and feeding rate. Curved spacer fabric with a lower feeding rate has a greater degree of curvature and is thicker, but with a smaller fabric width, and lower weight and density. The compression stiffness and work of compression increase with curvature, which allows strategic cushioning in areas that are relatively more curved, such as the kneecaps. The proposed method can contribute to the development of protective garments.