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journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jmrt

Original Article

An evaluation and characterization study of knitted

fabrics for use as telecommunication device
substrate

Marcos Aquino a, Juan Guerra b, Samanta Holanda b, Humberto Andrade b,

Moises Melo c, Lucas Zilio c, Thiago Santos a,*, Caroliny Santos a,**
a
Textile Engineering Post Graduate Program (PPgET), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio
Grande do Norte, Brazil
b
Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), Brazil
c
Department of Textile Engineering (DET), Textile Engineering Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
(UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

article info abstract

Article history: This work aims to characterize and evaluate the textiles and electrical properties that have
Received 20 June 2020 a vital impact on weft knitted for use as substrates applied to telecommunications devices.
Accepted 2 April 2021 There are several applications where flexible devices are required, for example when de-
Available online 20 April 2021 vices are contained in technical uniforms or technical textiles garments. So, to understand
the characteristics of the substrate for use in antennas, therefore, it is necessary to char-
Keywords: acterize the different types of blended knitted (100% Cotton, 50% Cotton/50% Polyester, 50%
Jersey Cotton/50% Spandex and 50% Cotton/50% Polyamide) to indicate the composition of
Blended knitted blended Jersey structures that exhibited significantly better properties for application in E-
Electrical properties textiles. Although the knitted fabrics studied in this article are developed for conventional
Flexible devices applications, their real permittivity and loss tangent are satisfactory for use in applications
Microwaves devices application as a substrate and the differences between values in each knitted fabric can be linked to
E-textiles the composition (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) studied.
© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

smartphones and others [1e5]. Besides, there are applications

1. Introduction where is necessary that some components, or even the circuit,
have special characteristics in addition to small size, as sen-
The systems development that uses the telecommunication sory circuits applications on smart uniforms of soldiers,
principals always faces new challenges due the necessity of firefighters and paramedics [6]. In this case, the microwaves
improve the applicability, as embedded circuits with smaller components should be flexible to ensure mobility and comfort
size that are allocated on mobiles devices like laptops,

* Corresponding author.
** Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: [email protected] (T. Santos), [email protected] (C. Santos).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
2238-7854/© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 2 0 7 6 e2 0 8 4 2077

to users [7e9]. Development in smart wearable systems for fibers including cellulose fiber, regenerated cellulose fiber
personalized services, especially for monitoring purposes, has (viscose), polyamide (PA) fiber, and manmade fiber (polyester)
significantly increased worldwide. And electronic textiles (e- have various advantages such as wear resistance, mildew
textiles) are relevant promoters of technological progress for resistance, easy drying, and light resistance. Cotton fiber is a
sectors like biomonitoring, rehabilitation, telemedicine, tele- widely used textile fiber valued for wearing comfort, flexi-
assistance, and sport medicine. bility, water absorptivity and air or water permeability [19]. In
A structure that ensures flexibility to the systems are the the work of Pragya 2020, affirmed that woven exhibited su-
textiles knitted, composed by knitting yarns, that are obtained perior surface conductivity than the knitted. But, concluding
from associations of natural, synthetic, mineral or artificial that fabric structural parameters comprising the type of
fibers during the spinning process. The twisted, filament, interlacement (fabric structure), pore size, crimp %, number of
single yarns knitting are an important basic element for the interlacement points, degree of warp/weft float, fabric thick-
production of different textile structures (non-woven, 2D or ness, and weight determine the resultant properties of the
3D knitted and 2D or 3D woven) [10e12], besides several of conductive fabrics [20].
physical and chemical finishing processes as screen-printed Yarns and fibers conventional can be used to manufacture
and plasma treatment [13,14]. Knitted textiles represent a knitted where are obtained the crucial electrical characteris-
smart class of substrates for fabricating microwaves, flexible tics as the permittivity and loss tangent promoting proprieties
and telecommunication device and other devices which mechanically comparable the used in telecommunication
interact with the human body, as well as, present exciting devices (E-textiles) [21,22]. Making possible to estimate the
possibilities for production of flexible circuits [15]. performance and scale of component geometry. Commer-
The knitted structures are obtained by knitting process, its cially, the circuit size has primordial importance, because
principals’ features are: better falling because smaller define: material quantity, aesthetic aspects and the power
dimensional stability, better air permeability due its porosity transmission [3e5,23].
(tightness factor) and the fabrication process are simpler than Authors as Mukai, Yusuke, and Minyoung Suh, 2020
woven fabric [16e18]. Islam et al., 2020, declared that fiber investigated the effect of the number count in both woven and
selection is important because the knitted fabric used as a knitted fabrics suggested that structural parameters could
substrate in telecommunication device and conductive ma- also be playing an additional critical role (mainly composition
terials must have hydrophobicity. Thus, different types of of yarns). In your work was revealed that the woven fabrics

Fig. 1 e Steps of this study.

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capacitance. For circuit miniaturization, usually one employs

Table 1 e Compositions of the Jersey knitted fabrics.
a high electric permittivity knitted fabric, because, electric
Knitted types Acronyms Structure permittivity of a textile materials determines the amount of
100% Cotton CO Jersey stored energy increases the electric length which facilitates
50% Cotton and 50% Polyester CO þ PES the size reduction of the telecommunication device (minia-
50% Cotton and 50% Spandex CO þ PUE turization) [26,27]. In others words, electric permittivity in-
50% Cotton and 50% Polyamide CO þ PA
fluences the magnitude of the electric field created by electric
charges, thus, the magnitude is inversely proportional to the
dielectric permittivity [28]. The loss tangent (energy loss)
exhibited larger dielectric constants than the knitted fabrics
represents an energy stored on device body that is dissipated
under the controlled RHs. But, these permittivity differences
as heat [3,5]. Eq. (1). Shows the electric permittivity.
between the woven and knitted were successfully elucidated
by the evidence that the woven fabrics had more yarn orien- E ¼ E0 x Er ¼ E0 x ðEIr  J x EIIr Þ (1)
tation in the fabric thickness direction than the knitted fabrics
[24]. Thus, it favors to affirm that the knitted fabrics are Where E0 is the vacuum permittivity (8.885  1012 mF ) and Er is
promising for use in telecommunication devices substrate. the relative permittivity. The loss tangent (tgs) reflects a
And others authors as de Holanda et al., 2017, affirmed that fraction between JxEII I
r and Er as Eq. (2). This quantity resumes

knitted fabrics with biodegradable and synthetic fibers have the matter electric characteristics, for make easily the
the proper nature to made possible the confection of different definition of substrate losses [3,5].
configurations of antenna. In addition, the radiation proper-
ðJ x EIIr Þ
ties of this type of substrates agree with the radiation pattern tgs ¼ (2)
EIr
of the classic microstrip antennas made of non-textile mate-
rial [25]. Thus, it was found that knitted fabrics have the
2.2. Yarns used in the manufacture of knitted fabrics
electrical and physical features necessary to create adaptable
studied
textile antennas, enabling high mobility and comfort to its
users.
The steps used on this paper to physical and electrical char-
Then, aiming to expand the frontiers of knowledge about
acterization are shown on flowchart of Fig. 1.
blended knitted fabrics used as telecommunication device
Knitted fabrics used in this investigation were manufac-
substrate. This work aims to develop an experimental study
tured in circular machine of mono-fronture (2722 needles and
in order to investigate the impact of Jersey knitted fabrics in
91/inch gauge) by blended yarns of natural and synthetics
physical and electrical properties manufactured from 4
fibers. The compositions of yarns used were 100% cotton (CO),
compositions of different blended yarns, 100% cotton (CO),
50% cotton/50% polyester (CO þ PES), 50% cotton/50% spandex
50% cotton/50% polyester (CO þ PES), 50% cotton/50%
(CO þ PUE) and 50% cotton/50% polyamide (CO þ PA) to
spandex (CO þ PUE) and 50% cotton/50% polyamide
manufacture from knitting yarns (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and
(CO þ PA), And so, to promote the behavior understanding of
CO þ PA) the knitted fabrics as shown in Table 1.
knitted fabrics when applied as telecommunication device
All Jersey knitted fabrics were analyzed in relation to
substrate.
density of wales and courses, number count, grammage, loop
length, thickness and tightness factor [7,16,29]. Fig. 2 shows
the (a) needles diagram, (b) technical face and (c) technical
2. Experimental
back of all the Jersey knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE
and CO þ PA).
2.1. Permittivity and loss tangent
2.3. Electrical characterization
The electric permittivity (Er) of the knitted fabrics shows its
energy storing capacity when a potential is applied across it. It
The electrical proprietary tests were realized with probe
is related to the macroscopic properties like polarization or
method using the impedance meter 85070 E Agilent. The

Fig. 2 e Shows the Jersey knitted fabric studied in this work.

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Fig. 3 e Measurement system using the method of the probe.

knitted fabrics were overlapping to reach 1.5 cm, height that standard ASTM D3887 [34]. Were selected four parts with
allowed obtain safe values. With the probe 020, the knitted 100 cm of length and weighted for each composition of knitted
fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) were pressed fabric, after were calculated the number count with indirect
under a flat region using the impedance meter, and were system (Ne) and direct system (Tex).
calculated the permittivity and loss tangent on frequency Were described the specifications of Jersey knitted fabric
range of 0.2e4.5 GHz for each composition of knitted fabrics. because, these important parameters influence on electrical
Using the values obtained was possible to determine what properties. As the grammage (relation between relation be-
better frequency ranges to use in specified application. In tween number count, loops length, density of wales and
Fig. 3 the measurement scheme used can be exhibited. courses) favors the increase and reduction of empty spaces
(air gaps) as evidenced by the tightness factor and thickness
2.4. Physical tests (exhibited in Table 2) [35]. Thus, when a smaller tightness
factor is obtained, the larger the quantity of empty spaces (air
The physical characterization was composed by the following gaps) present in knitted fabrics [36].
tests: dimensional stability, number count, grammage, den-
sity of wales and courses, loop length, thickness, tightness 2.4.3. Tensile test in Jersey knitted fabrics
factor and tensile test. Tensile tests were performed with MESDAN’s Tensolab 3000
dynamometer equipment, according ASTM D5034 standard
2.4.1. Dimensional stability [37,38]. Knitted fabrics were cut to 15 cm length and 2.5 cm
The dimensional stability is a fundamental characteristic to width for each composition (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and
choose the knitted fabrics to be used on telecommunication CO þ PA) were tested at rate of 30 cm/min and a distance
device project, as it these characteristics implies directly on between claws 10 cm. From the data obtained were calculated
size variation during the use and can provokes changes on the means and standard deviation.
device performance. Thus, the test checks the resistance of
the knitted fabrics to changes at its dimensions when they are
washed [8,30,31]. The test follows the standard ASTM D6207 3. Results and discussion
[32]. Therefore, each compositions of the knitted fabrics were
washed during time of 30 min under 60  C of temperature. To 3.1. Electrical characterization
execute this process, was used the WASHTESTER (MATHIS),
equipment that washes textiles materials under controlled From this characterization it was possible to obtain the rela-
temperature. Was analyzed the two directions of wales and tive permittivity (Er) and the loss tangents (d) of the knitted
courses on knitted fabrics. fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) as shown in Figs.
4 and 5 respectively.
2.4.2. Grammage and number count
The grammage test defines the relation of weight and the area, 3.1.1. Real permittivity and loss tangent
ie, results on fraction with unit (Kg/m2) using ASTM D3776 To obtain a response signal of electrical permittivity in all
standard [33]. Number count test relates the yarn length with compositions of knitted fabrics (100% Cotton, 50% Cotton/50%
its correspondent weight. The realized test follows the Polyester, 50% Cotton/50% Spandex and 50% Cotton/50%

Table 2 e Specifications of Jersey knitted fabric this study.

Knitted Number count Grammage e GSM Wales Courses Stitch length Thickness Tightness
types (Kg/m2) (wpc) (cpc) (cm) (mm) factor
CO 47.3 ± 2.7Ne or 12.5 ± 0.7 Tex 0.17 ± 0.02 24 12 0.3 0.58 11.8 ± 2.8
CO þ PES 66.4 ± 10.4Ne or 9.0 ± 1.4 Tex 0.13 ± 0.01 16 10 0.3 0.48 10 ± 3.9
CO þ PUE 47.9 ± 8.1Ne or 12.5 ± 2.1 Tex 0.25 ± 0.03 10 9 0.3 0.8 11.8 ± 4.8
CO þ PA 49.2 ± 13.9Ne or 12.5 ± 3.5 Tex 0.13 ± 0.06 16 22 0.3 0.48 11.8 ± 3.5
2080 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 2 0 7 6 e2 0 8 4

Fig. 4 e Permittivity results of the knitted fabrics studied.

Polyamide) was a valuable result, because the frequency of exhibited a very similar behavior for all knitted fabric com-
operation defines the field of telecommunication devices positions (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA). It was evident
application. Fig. 4 shows the real permittivity variation as a that the ideal bands for the use of knitted fabrics (CO,
function of frequency. Dielectric constants showed a similar CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), due to the high values of
behavior without significant discrepancy, values around real permittivity (Er) were 0.3 GHze1.3 GHz and 2.3
2.0 GHz in the IEEE 802.11b standard and pointed out varia- GHze3.6 GHz of the frequency, as well as, in the range of 1.4
tions of frequency values between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz. Was GHze2.2 GHz, values significantly lower than those
possible to observe in Fig. 4 that the dielectric constants obtained by the knitted fabrics of all compositions were

Fig. 5 e Results loss tangent on the knitted fabric studied.

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number count [25]. Thus, the values of real part, loss factor
Table 3 e Specifications of Jersey knitted fabric this study.
and loss tangent (tan d) of the composition CO þ PES were
Knitted types EIr EIIr tan d 1.75 ± 0.47, 0.21 ± 0.64, 0.12 ± 0.4 and CO þ PUE were 1.74 ± 0.46
CO 1.55 ± 0.53 0.56 ± 0.65 0.36 ± 0.4 (EIr), 0.18 ± 0.61 (EII
r ), 0.1 ± 0.38 (tan d) respectively [24,40].
CO þ PES 1.75 ± 0.47 0.21 ± 0.64 0.12 ± 0.4 Knitted fabrics of CO þ PES and CO þ PUE have a high electric
CO þ PUE 1.74 ± 0.46 0.18 ± 0.61 0.1 ± 0.38 permittivity, because, electric permittivity (Er) this textile
CO þ PA 1.57 ± 0.48 0.34 ± 0.6 0.22 ± 0.39
materials determines that the amount of stored energy pro-
motes the electric length increases which facilitates the size
reduction of the telecommunication device (miniaturization)
exhibited (Er approximately equal to 1). These relatively low
as observed in Figs. 4 and 5 and Table 2 [40]. In Fig. 5 was
values of dielectric constants show the high porosity rates
observed a characteristic increase in loss tangent (tan d) for all
presented by knitted fabrics, due to the portion of CO (cotton)
knitted fabrics compositions at high frequencies, with all
in each knitted fabrics and the variations of grammage to
peaks at 1.75 GHz followed by a reduction.
compensate the action of portion synthetics fibers in electrical
Considering that the ideal loss tangent is equal to zero,
properties [25,37]. Thus, each composition of knitted fabrics
were observed in Table 3 that the loss tangents from all
(CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) exhibited bands, fre-
knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) were
quency and real permittivity ideas for application in primary
low (2.45 GHz), even when compared with other knitted
and secondary mobile services, and aeronautical radio-
fabrics of authors as de Holanda, Samanta M., et al., 2017,
navigation and broadcasting.
Aquino, Marcos S., et al., 2019 [25,40]. Thus, the knitted fab-
However, in terms of miniaturization and knowing that the
rics compositions with the more potential in terms of appli-
majority of installations of microwave power are at ISM (In-
cation were the CO þ PES and CO þ PUE, which presented the
dustrial Scientific and Medical) frequencies, mainly at
lowest values of loss tangents (tan d) at 2.45 GHz as shown in
2.45 GHz with some at 915 MHz (0.915 GHz) and a few at
Fig. 5. Finally, among the existing frequencies within the ISM
433 MHz (0.433 GHz) [39]. The knitted fabrics CO þ PES (50%
band, the frequency of 2.45 GHz is the most widely used in
cotton/50% polyester) and CO þ PUE (50% cotton/50% spandex)
wireless communication systems (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc.),
were the compositions that exhibited significantly higher
enabling for several applications the knitted fabrics as sub-
performance in terms of miniaturization of telecommunica-
strate in telecommunications device, because operates at
tion devices compared to the others (CO and CO þ PA),
this frequency [40].
because significantly higher values of the real part (EIr) were
obtained than the loss factor (EII r ) of the permittivity at
2.45 GHz as shown in Table 2. The knitted fabrics of CO and 3.2. Physical tests
CO þ PA exhibited similar behavior and lower electrical per-
formance (low real part, high loss factor and high loss tangent) 3.2.1. Dimensional stability
at 2.45 GHz due to low permittivity values, because of the Knitted fabrics are considered to have good dimensional sta-
grammage and due to the mainly fibers composition and bility (changes in the width and axial dimensions) if they

Fig. 6 e Dimensional stability on both directions: (a), wales and (b),courses.

Table 4 e Tensile test results on wales direction and courses direction.

Knitted types Stress (MPa) Strain MOE (GPa)
Wales Courses Wales Courses Wales Courses
CO 446.4 ± 2.4 663.2 ± 3.1 1.2 ± 0.1 1.1 ± 0.08 0.4 ± 0.01 0.4 ± 0.01
CO þ PES 494.9 ± 3 476 ± 2.1 0.8 ± 0.02 1.8 ± 0.3 0.6 ± 0.1 0.3 ± 0.02
CO þ PUE 1293.6 ± 7.6 580.8 ± 1.3 1.5 ± 0.2 4 ± 0.7 0.8 ± 0.015 0.1 ± 0.002
CO þ PA 510.5 ± 0.5 1659.5 ± 6.3 0.7 ± 0.01 2.9 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.04 0.6 ± 0.03
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Table 5 e Summary of electrical, physical and tensile properties in studied Jersey knitted fabrics.
Tests Parameters CO CO þ PES CO þ PUE CO þ PA
Electrical Frequency (2.45 GHz) EIr 1.55 ± 0.53 1.75 ± 0.47 1.74 ± 0.46 1.57 ± 0.48
EIIr 0.56 ± 0.65 0.21 ± 0.64 0.18 ± 0.61 0.34 ± 0.6
tan d 0.36 ± 0.4 0.12 ± 0.4 0.1 ± 0.38 0.22 ± 0.39
Physical Number count (Ne and Tex) 47.3 ± 2.7Ne 66.4 ± 10.4 N 47.9 ± 8.1Ne 49.2 ± 13.9 N
12.5 ± 0.7 Tex 9.0 ± 1.4 Tex 12.5 ± 2.1 Tex 12.5 ± 3.5 Tex
Loop length (cm) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Density of wales (wpc) 24 16 10 16
Density of courses (cpc) 12 10 9 22
Grammage (Kg/m2) 0.17 ± 0.02 0.13 ± 0.01 0.25 ± 0.03 0.13 ± 0.06
Thickness (mm) 0.58 0.48 0.8 0.48
Tightness factor 11.8 ± 2.8 10 ± 3.9 11.8 ± 4.8 11.8 ± 3.5
Dimensional stability (%) Wales 0 7 17 5
Courses 10 0 5 5
Tensile Stress (MPa) Wales 446.4 ± 2.4 494.9 ± 3 1293.6 ± 7.6 510.5 ± 0.5
Courses 663.2 ± 3.1 476 ± 2.1 580.8 ± 1.3 1659.5 ± 6.3
Strain Wales 1.2 ± 0.1 0.8 ± 0.02 1.5 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.01
Courses 1.1 ± 0.08 1.8 ± 0.3 4 ± 0.7 2.9 ± 0.2
MOE (GPa) Wales 0.4 ± 0.01 0.6 ± 0.1 0.8 ± 0.015 0.7 ± 0.04
Courses 0.4 ± 0.01 0.3 ± 0.02 0.1 ± 0.002 0.6 ± 0.03

resist permanent deformation during use and during washing potential use as a substrate for a telecommunication device as
and dry-cleaning [41,42]. However, evaluating if remains un- shown in Table 5. Which exhibited the values of stress and
changed during the use and/or provokes changes on tele- MOE in wales direction, CO (446.4 ± 2.4), CO þ PES (494.9 ± 3),
communication device performance. The values obtained CO þ PUE (1293.6 ± 7.6) and CO þ PA (510.5 ± 0.5). On the other
from dimensional stability can be positive (þ) when there is an hand, CO exhibited stress significantly lower than the other
increase or negative () when there are usually reductions in knitted fabrics (CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), but with
both dimensions of the knitted fabrics. As observed in the high regularity in the values of mechanical properties char-
study by Ahmed Asif et al., 2013, the Jersey knitted fabrics acterizing by standard deviation low [18].
composed of 100% cotton have negative dimensional stability While, CO þ PUE exhibited a standard deviation signifi-
or reductions in both dimensions of the knitted fabrics [43]. cantly higher compared to others (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PA),
Therefore, CO knitted fabrics were softer, good dimensional but with high irregularity in the values of obtained mechanical
stability and improve humidity absorption [16,44]. Knitted properties. While, the values of stress and MOE in courses
fabrics of 50% cotton/50% polyester (CO þ PES) and 50% cotton direction, CO (663.2 ± 3.1), CO þ PES (476 ± 2.1), CO þ PUE
and 50% polyamide (CO þ PA) had better percentages of (580.8 ± 1.3) and CO þ PA (1659.5 ± 6.3), were different. This is
dimensional stability compared to other knitted fabrics (CO because knitted fabrics are an anisotropic structure and when
and CO þ PUE) as shown in Fig. 6. While Jersey knitted fabrics the force is applied in the vertical direction the loops slide and
manufactured with 50% cotton/50% spandex (CO þ PUE) in the horizontal direction the head and foot of the loops
exhibited significantly weak percentages of dimensional sta- restrict the deformation of the knitted fabrics 4 [18]. When
bility for application as a substrate based on knitted fabrics in strain values were compared in terms of mechanical proper-
telecommunication device compared to CO knitted fabrics ties it was observed that CO þ PUE in wales direction (1.5 ± 0.2)
[45]. However, Jersey knitted fabrics with 50% cotton/50% and courses (4 ± 0.7) exhibited high values compared to knit-
polyamide (CO þ PA) obtained larger or excellent dimensional ted fabrics studied (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PA).
stability which is the ideal for this purpose (telecommunica-
tion device), since CO þ PA knitted fabrics will resist and/or
remain unchanged when subjected to deformations caused by 4. Conclusions
the conditions of use, as well as during the washing and
drying of the telecommunication device based on textile Relatively low values of dielectric constants show the high
substrates. The CO þ PA knitted fabrics (50% cotton and 50% porosity rates presented by knitted fabrics, due to the portion
polyamide) had better dimensional stability than the others of CO (cotton) in each knitted fabrics and the variations of
knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PUE). This was due to grammage to compensate the action of portion synthetics fi-
the polyamide (excellent dimensional stability) present in the bers in electrical properties. Dielectric constants showed a
blend (CO þ PA) exhibit characteristics intrinsic to this type of similar behavior without significant discrepancy, values
fiber as high resistance of external factors (good chemical around 2.0 GHz in the IEEE 802.11 b standard and pointed out
resistance) and temperature (low creep at elevated tempera- variations of frequency values between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz
tures) [16,44]. the ideal bands for the use of knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES,
CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), due to the high values of real
3.2.2. Tensile tests permittivity were 0.3 GHze1.3 GHz and 2.3 GHze3.6 GHz of the
The results obtained in Table 4 showed that the mechanical frequency, as well as, in the range of 1.4 GHze2.2 GHz. Knitted
behavior (stress, strain and MOE) of knitted fabrics with fabrics of CO þ PES and CO þ PUE have a high electric
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 2 0 7 6 e2 0 8 4 2083

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