Abstract
Composite materials based on synthetic leathers from Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyurethane with knitted fabric support are increasingly used in many sectors of industry. Two synthetic leathers have been analysed both through experimental and analytical methods in order to evaluate their elastic properties. The analytical evaluation of material elasticity was conducted based on a micromechanical approach, taking into account the Krenchel’s coefficient for Polyester fibre orientation and based on the analytical models of Leaf and Glaskin and Chamis. Experimental data was gathered using microscopic analysis and the mechanical impulse excitation test method. Results showed a good correlation with that from the experimental study. Thus, it was confirmed that the Leaf and Glaskin model and the Chamis model have a good accuracy in prediction of fibres orientation and respectively elastic properties of synthetic leather based on plain jersey.
Keywords: synthetic leather; plain weft knitted fabric; mechanical properties; micromechanical models; mechanical impulse excitation