Design of 3D knitted structures for impact absorption in sportswear

In this research an attempt was made to explore the potential of using flexible textile structures to replace the currently used commercial foam. Three flexible textile structures (A, B and C) were designed in three dimensional (3D) structure using Shima Seiki flatbed machine. Each fabric consisted of 3 layers, 2 external (face and back) and one internal layer. Fabric A consisted of mercerized cotton (space dyed) and Elastane external layers, whereas ballistic nylon internal layer. Fabrics B and C were prepared using Dyneema (untwisted) and Elastane external layers and Dyneema (untwisted) internal layer, but with different structures. These textile structures were analysed for their collision protection using the technique of 'drop test'. The test was based on principle of energy absorption by the textile structure due to the impact of a hard surface with them. It was assumed that the higher is the energy absorbed by the textile structure, the smaller will be the impact to the wearer. It was found that the 3D structures can provide equivalent amount of impact protection as the commercial foam (Sample D). The flexible structures recover easily with the body movement, and provide a high level of comfort. The methods of drop-test including the results are discussed in this paper. The findings of this study suggested that an equivalent level of protection can be achieved with the use of 3D textile structures and higher amount of comfort for the rugby players. Hence, the 3D textile structures can be used as an alternative material to replace the commercial closed foam currently in use in the shoulder pad to achieve similar protection and improved thermal comfort.