Spacer Knit Fabric-Innovation/Engineering/Property
Spacer Knit Fabric is a 3D knitted fabrics. It is blended with two independent basic layers. They are connected or divided through spacer yarns(circluar yarn or fluff) to keep certain distance. Thus providing key performance advantages. Spacer fabric expand the third dimension based on knit fabrics. It provides an innovative alternative for traditional cushioning material. Its 3d structure is connecting two outer layers with monofilament yarn. And allow the air space between the two layers of fabric.
What is soft spacer knit fabric?
The first layer: hydrophilic yarn
The second layer: hydrophilic yarn
Spacer layer: Monofilament or multifilament.
How thick is spacer fabric?
circular(weft) knit spacer fabric thickness can be 1mm to 5mm: allow the air flow and Heat insulation and 4 way stretch.
The 3d fabric is Composed of three layers. Innder side for drive away moisture and air circulation, outer side for heat dissipation.
According to end use, spacer knit fabric monofilament end can be polyester, polyamide and polypropylene fiber. These fabrics are designed for breathability and buffer.
In fact, the middle layer used for forming two independent layers is uncut fluffy fabric. It is composed of two layers fabrics and seperated by 90° corner yarn.
The fabric’s 3d feature offers itself a wide range of excellent properties. Including water absorption, breathablilty, buffer, fluffiness, resilience, softness and visual attraction. 3D spance knit fabric is widely used for car material, furniture, filter, footwear, Geotextiles, medical material, military and tactical clothing, sportswear.
What is the inner structure of spacer knit fabric?
Every layer of the 3d spacer fabric has the unique feature. Thus providing flexibility on function for textile designer. Ther are three key points to consider about when choosing spacer knit fabrics.
1. Fabric structure: The right and the back side can be plain or mesh structure. Mesh can enhance the air circulation. And plain fabric can allow textile designer add performance agent into middle fiber such as improving thermal insulation or shaping properties. And you can adjust the fabric thickness according to the usage. For example, heavier spacer fabric can provide stronger buffer or extra heat insulation.
2. Yarn selection: Textile designer may choose polyester or nylon to improve the fabric strength and durability. And silver, copper or zinc offer fabric anti-bacterial property. Furthermore, you can select sustainable yarns. For example, use the yarns made of RPET(recycled bottle flakes) even biodegradable materials.
3. Fabric Finish: It’s essential of fabric finish. It can improve the fabric parctiality, texture, color and key features. Through fabric finish, designers can slightly adjust the fabric according to end use. Thus maximizing its performance.
How to produce spacer knit fabric?
Spacer knit fabric is knitting on DNB knitting machine. It has two independent needle bar system. They are used on both sides of the knitting fabric. The inner layer is formed by interlacing spacer yarns between the outer layers of the fabric. The inner layer usually use monofilaments because they have better elasticity and stiffer. So it can form more space between two layers. Also, Multifilament (multiple strands/threads knit together) yarn is feasible. But it’s softer so the spacer knit fabric thickness will be at most 4mm.
What are the features and advantages of spacer knit fabric?
The unique three-layer structures of spacer knit fabric brings several advantages icluding:
breathablity: Open, lightweight structure reduce the weight. Gaps in the fabric promote the air circulation, improve the comfort and red heat buildup.
Buffer and Impact resistance: the spacer structure provides good shock absorption and cushioning performance
Durablilty and Strength: Spacer knit fabric has high strength and wear resistance especially made of polyester and other synthetic fibers.
moisture wicking: Polyester and nylon spacer knit fabric can absorb water effectively. Keep the surface dry and cool.
Sustainablity: The spacer knit fabric made of recycled material or Biopolymers can further enhance the fabric sustainablity.
Customization brings more advantages:
You can customize Spacer knit fabric from several aspects. Thus enhancing the performance on special application.
thickness: adjust the thickness by changing the distance between the two layers. To meet buffers, strength or thermal insultaion and other application demands.
Material: spacer knit fabric can be made of multiple fibers. To make textile designers meet multi-performance and multi-purpose such as breathabilty,durability and environmental protection.
Pattern: knitting structure can enhance fabrics’ beauty, flexibility and extensibility. Optimizing these features through adjusting every-layer pattern of spacer knit fabric.
Shape and size: spacer knit fabric can be cut, molded or seamed to complicated shape. So it’s an ideal option for medical brace, orthopedic support, arch support insoles or car seat panel and other unique design.
Customized spacer fabric improve properties as the following:
Physical Property
- excellent compression elasticity
- breathability
- air permeability
- buffering
- Heat insulation and warmth retention
- good bending properties
- draped well
- recyclable
- Breathability/ventilation
- cushioning and support
- Flame retardancy
- Moisture-wicking
- Temperature adjustment
What are the dyeing and finish of spacer knit fabric?
Wingtex supply advanced customized 3D spacer fabric to aerospace, car, medical, military and tactical clothing and and many other industries and application areas. Our spacer knit fabrics are produced according to OEKO-TEX certification standard. Ensuring the safety and quality.
Our dyeing factory provide production innovation solution. We have the capability of advanced fabric dyeing technique, fabric finish and surface treatment including:
abrasion resistant
anti-bacterial
Flame resistant
moisture wicking
It deserves to say our dyeing factory has advanced lab. It’s the center of color innovation and research. The lab helps us create customized color and new fabric finish.
What are the usage of the spacer knit fabric?
Spacer knit fabric is popular among textile industry because it’s customizable.
Application field
Car textile
Home textile
Sports textile
Medical textile
Industrial textiles
architecture field: spacer fabric is soft, breathable and fluffy. Ideal for sound absorbing material. Many buildings use it for acoustic material to control indoor noise.
Car field: Spacer knit fabric has become more and more popular among car interior. Due to its sound insulation, temperature regulation and impact resistance performance. 3D spacer fabric is breathable and wear resisant, usually used for car cushion, safety shelt, ventilation and passenger comfort design of the door trim panels. So you can improve the driving experience.
Footwear and garment, from running shoes to orthopedic insoles and other insoles. space knit fabric helps support foot and improve comfort. With spacer knit fabric, intimate wear and sportswear becomes more breathable, comfortable and draped better.
Furniture: Many manufacturer select spacer knit fabric but not foam material because of the sustainable issues.
Geotextiles and Filtration: Spacer knit fabric has gradually widely use in Geotextiles and environmental protection. It has been used for applications include erosion control, soil reinforcement, drainage, filtration, and separation.
Medical: Spacer knit fabric is breathable, sweat wicking and buffer. It’s perfect for medical products for relieving stress, improving comfort, and protecting wounds.
Military and tactical clothing: High performance spacer fabric has the features which Military and tactical clothing need. Like breathabilty, buffer and durablity. It can meet strict usage requirement.
Need to learn more? Space knit fabric Common Q&A
Is spacer knit fabric water resistant?
The surface can be waterproof treatment. Although the fabric itself has porosity, we can use coating finish to improve water resistant property. So it’s important for medical industry. For example, medical staff use them to bandage the wound to prevent it from getting wet.
Is spacer knit fabric machine washing?
Of course. So the products made of spacer fabric can be daily use. Through different products, spacer knit fabric is usually machine washing cold water. While we advise you to follow the washing instruction.
Is spacer knit fabric eco-friendly?
Among many insdutries, spacer knit fabric is an ideal aliternative to foam. Foam degrades rapidly and generates a large amount of waste. In order to sustainable development, spaer knit fabric use organic yarn, biodegradable or recycled yarn. And dyeing with eco-friendly stuff.
