Weft knitted carbon fibres

Fibre-reinforced composites using weft-knitted carbon fibres are evaluated. The new product is for the reinforcement of thermoplastic composite materials. The mechanical properties including rigidity and static strength, fatigue properties and impact properties are described. Manufacturing techniques and costs are discussed. It is considered that knit-reinforced thermoplastic composites may introduce composite materials into the broad market of engineering and design products which require a combination of low cost, appropriate mechanical properties, low weight and corrosion resistance. Possible application areas include shaping and load-bearing structures in car, ship and aeroplane manufacture as well as load-bearing implants such as bone plates for healing fractures.