Abstract:

Among many other materials for the reinforcement of composites, technical fabrics are increasingly being used for the same purpose, especially from glass and basalt tows, which have good mechanical properties.. During tensile stress these fabrics are elongated in  the direction of tensile force, and at the same time they contract crosswise in relation to the action of the tensile force. In this paper the tensile properties of woven fabrics made from glass and basalt yarns were investigated. Measurements were focused on the lateral contraction, according to which Poisson’s ratio can be calculated. For these purposes, an innovative device as an upgrade of the strength tester and samples of fabrics of non-standard shapes (cross and square) were used. Mechanical properties of the yarns from which  the fabrics were made were analysed before and after weaving in order to define the impact of weaving on them.