Study on Cut‐Resistance Properties of Composite Yarn Based Knitted UHMWPE Textiles: Influence of Reinforcement, Radiant Heat Exposure, Outdoor Environment, and Cutting Angles

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe safety of workers in hazardous environments depends on personal protective clothing capable of withstanding various real‐world challenges, especially in automotive, glass, aerospace, mining, construction, and food industries where cut hazards are prevalent. Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely utilized in cut‐protective textiles for its exceptional strength and durability. This study investigates the cut‐performance of stainless‐steel and glass fibers reinforced UHMWPE knitted fabrics under real‐world industrial conditions, focusing on the influence of varying cutting angles, outdoor environments, and thermal exposure on their cut‐protective efficacy. Reinforcement significantly improved cut‐performance, with stainless‐steel reinforced UHMWPE fabric (13SU) exhibited the highest tear strength (lengthwise‐313.1 N, widthwise‐405.8 N) and abrasion resistance (withstanding up to 800 rubbing cycles), providing best cut‐protection with cutting force of 32.43 N at 90° cutting angle. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterizations revealed UHMWPE's sensitivity to thermal effects, with a significant decrease in crystallinity after exposure to radiant heat flux of 20 kW/m2 at fabric surface, leading to diminished cut‐performance. Environmental durability assessments indicated a reduction in cut‐resistance properties due to changes in the chemical composition of UHMWPE polymer structure, such as the presence of ketone (CO) and hydroxy (OH) polar groups, as confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.