关键词: 针织, 纬编间隔织物, 结构参数, 压缩性能, 多元回归分析

Abstract: Spacer fabrics, characterized by discrete upper and lower surface layers interconnected and supported by intermediate spacer yarns, are commonly referred to as sandwich fabrics. The surface yarns are typically fabricated from polyester (PET) or nylon (PA) multifilaments, whereas the spacer yarns are made of monofilaments of PET or PA with enhanced flexural rigidity. Owing to their unique three-dimensional hollow structure, spacer fabrics possess exceptional deformation capabilities, effectively relieving body pressure and absorbing energy, thereby excelling in impact attenuation, compression resistance, and vibration damping properties. Furthermore, they boast high tensile strength, non-delamination characteristics, versatility in raw material utilization, recyclability and other advantages, making them a popular choice for developing protective equipment with broad development prospects. 
Based on this, how to characterize the performance of spacer fabrics has become increasingly important. Many scholars have explored the relationship between the performance and structural parameters of spacer fabrics, with compression performance being the most studied aspect. The compression performance of spacer fabrics is a key indicator for measuring their load-bearing capacity, flexibility, elasticity, and comfort. It is influenced by the fabric's structure, material, and production process, and directly affects the usability of the fabric. Through compression testing, the cushioning and structural stability of spacer fabrics can be evaluated, and an understanding of how the fabric deforms and cushions during use can be gained. This, in turn, guides the optimization of product design.
To investigate the relationship between the structural parameters and compression performance of spacer fabrics, this paper designed and fabricated spacer fabrics with various parameters using a flat knitting machine. The compression performance of these fabrics was tested, and the deformation mechanism during the compression process was analyzed. Based on changes in curve slope, it was found that, similar to warp-knitted spacer fabrics, weft-knitted spacer fabrics can be divided into four stages during the loading phase: initial stage, linear elastic stage, plateau stage, and densification stage.
Finally, a multiple regression analysis was conducted using SPSS software to analyze the primary and secondary relationships among various influencing factors, including the compression load, number of spacer stitches, spacer-yarn diameters, spacer-yarn filling ratios, surface density, fabric thickness, and others, under three compression strains (CV65, CV50 and CV35) before the spacer fabrics reached the densification stage. This analysis explored how structural parameters affect the compression performance of spacer fabrics under varying compression deformation. From the perspectives of production and practical application, a deep understanding of the influencing factors and their primary and secondary relationships in fabric compression performance can not only assist manufacturers in precisely adjusting production parameters to meet specific product standards or customer requirements (such as enhancing collision resistance and optimizing comfort), but also enable the prediction and prevention of potential issues during the early stages of material development, thereby reducing resource waste.

Key words: knitting, weft knitted spacer fabric, structural parameters, compression performance, multiple regression analysis