Please use this PDF proof to check the layout of your article.

If you would like any changes to be

made to the layout, you can leave instructions in the online proofing interface. First, return to the
online proofing interface by clicking "Edit" at the top page, then insert a Comment in the relevant
location. Making your changes directly in the online proofing interface is the quickest, easiest way to
correct and submit your proof.

Please note that changes made to the article in the online proofing interface will be added to the
article before publication, but are not reflected in this PDF proof.
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 1/9

journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

65
66
1 67
2 68
3 69
4 70
5 71
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jmrt
6 72
7 73
8 74
9 Original Article 75
10 76
11
12
An evaluation and characterization study of knitted 77
78
13
14
fabrics for use as telecommunication device 79
80
15
16 Q4 substrate 81
82
17 83
18 84
19 Q3 Marcos Aquino a, Juan Guerra b, Samanta Holanda b, Humberto Andrade b, 85
20 Moises Melo c, Lucas Zilio c, Thiago Santos a,*, Caroliny Santos a,** 86
21 87
22 a
Textile Engineering Post Graduate Program (PPgET), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio 88
23 Grande do Norte, Brazil 89
24 b
Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), Brazil 90
25 c
Department of Textile Engineering (DET), Textile Engineering Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte 91
26 92
(UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
27 93
28 94
29 95
article info abstract
30 96
31 97
Article history: This work aims to characterize and evaluate the textiles and electrical properties that have
32 98
33 Received 20 June 2020 a vital impact on weft knitted for use as substrates applied to telecommunications devices.
99
34 Accepted 2 April 2021 There are several applications where flexible devices are required, for example when de-
100
35 Available online xxx vices are contained in technical uniforms or technical textiles garments. So, to understand
101
36 the characteristics of the substrate for use in antennas, therefore, it is necessary to char- 102
37 Keywords: acterize the different types of blended knitted (100% Cotton, 50% Cotton/50% Polyester, 50% 103
38 Jersey Cotton/50% Spandex and 50% Cotton/50% Polyamide) to indicate the composition of 104
39 Blended knitted blended Jersey structures that exhibited significantly better properties for application in E- 105
40 106
Electrical properties textiles. Although the knitted fabrics studied in this article are developed for conventional
41 107
Flexible devices applications, their real permittivity and loss tangent are satisfactory for use in applications
42 108
Microwaves devices application as a substrate and the differences between values in each knitted fabric can be linked to
43 109
44 E-textiles the composition (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) studied.
110
45 © 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
111
46 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
112
47 113
48 114
49 115
50 116
51 117
smartphones and others [1e5]. Besides, there are applications
52 1. Introduction 118
where is necessary that some components, or even the circuit,
53 119
54 have special characteristics in addition to small size, as sen-
The systems development that uses the telecommunication 120
55 sory circuits applications on smart uniforms of soldiers,
principals always faces new challenges due the necessity of 121
56 firefighters and paramedics [6]. In this case, the microwaves
122
improve the applicability, as embedded circuits with smaller components should be flexible to ensure mobility and comfort
57 123
58 size that are allocated on mobiles devices like laptops,
124
59 125
60 * Corresponding author. 126
61 ** Corresponding author. 127
62 E-mail addresses: thiagotextilufrn@hotmail.com (T. Santos), carolinyminely@hotmail.com (C. Santos). 128
63 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002 129
64 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/).
Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 2/9

2 journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx

1 to users [7e9]. Development in smart wearable systems for fibers including cellulose fiber, regenerated cellulose fiber 66
2 personalized services, especially for monitoring purposes, has (viscose), polyamide (PA) fiber, and manmade fiber (polyester) 67
3 significantly increased worldwide. And electronic textiles (e- have various advantages such as wear resistance, mildew 68
4 textiles) are relevant promoters of technological progress for resistance, easy drying, and light resistance. Cotton fiber is a 69
5 70
sectors like biomonitoring, rehabilitation, telemedicine, tele- widely used textile fiber valued for wearing comfort, flexi-
6 71
assistance, and sport medicine. bility, water absorptivity and air or water permeability [19]. In
7 72
A structure that ensures flexibility to the systems are the the work of Pragya 2020, affirmed that woven exhibited su-
8 73
9 textiles knitted, composed by knitting yarns, that are obtained perior surface conductivity than the knitted. But, concluding 74
10 from associations of natural, synthetic, mineral or artificial that fabric structural parameters comprising the type of 75
11 fibers during the spinning process. The twisted, filament, interlacement (fabric structure), pore size, crimp %, number of 76
12 single yarns knitting are an important basic element for the interlacement points, degree of warp/weft float, fabric thick- 77
13 production of different textile structures (non-woven, 2D or ness, and weight determine the resultant properties of the 78
14 3D knitted and 2D or 3D woven) [10e12], besides several of conductive fabrics [20]. 79
15 physical and chemical finishing processes as screen-printed Yarns and fibers conventional can be used to manufacture 80
16 and plasma treatment [13,14]. Knitted textiles represent a knitted where are obtained the crucial electrical characteris- 81
17 82
smart class of substrates for fabricating microwaves, flexible tics as the permittivity and loss tangent promoting proprieties
18 83
and telecommunication device and other devices which mechanically comparable the used in telecommunication
19 84
20 interact with the human body, as well as, present exciting devices (E-textiles) [21,22]. Making possible to estimate the 85
21 possibilities for production of flexible circuits [15]. performance and scale of component geometry. Commer- 86
22 The knitted structures are obtained by knitting process, its cially, the circuit size has primordial importance, because 87
23 principals’ features are: better falling because smaller define: material quantity, aesthetic aspects and the power 88
24 dimensional stability, better air permeability due its porosity transmission [3e5,23]. 89
25 (tightness factor) and the fabrication process are simpler than Authors as Mukai, Yusuke, and Minyoung Suh, 2020 90
26 woven fabric [16e18]. Islam et al., 2020, declared that fiber investigated the effect of the number count in both woven and 91
27 selection is important because the knitted fabric used as a knitted fabrics suggested that structural parameters could 92
28 93
substrate in telecommunication device and conductive ma- also be playing an additional critical role (mainly composition
29 94
terials must have hydrophobicity. Thus, different types of of yarns). In your work was revealed that the woven fabrics
30 95
31 96
32 97
33 98
34 99
35 100
36 101
37 102
38 103
39 104
40 105
41 106
42 107
43 108
44 109
45 110
46 111
47 112
48 113
49 114
50 115
51 116
52 117
53 118
54 119
55 120
56 121
57 122
58 123
59 124
60 125
61 126
62 127
63 128
64 129
65 130
Fig. 1 e Steps of this study.

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 3/9

journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx 3

1 capacitance. For circuit miniaturization, usually one employs 66

Table 1 e Compositions of the Jersey knitted fabrics.
2 a high electric permittivity knitted fabric, because, electric 67
3 Knitted types Acronyms Structure permittivity of a textile materials determines the amount of 68
4 100% Cotton CO Jersey stored energy increases the electric length which facilitates 69
5 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester CO þ PES 70
the size reduction of the telecommunication device (minia-
6 50% Cotton and 50% Spandex CO þ PUE 71
turization) [26,27]. In others words, electric permittivity in-
7 50% Cotton and 50% Polyamide CO þ PA 72
fluences the magnitude of the electric field created by electric
8 73
9 charges, thus, the magnitude is inversely proportional to the 74
10 dielectric permittivity [28]. The loss tangent (energy loss) 75
exhibited larger dielectric constants than the knitted fabrics
11 under the controlled RHs. But, these permittivity differences
represents an energy stored on device body that is dissipated 76
12 as heat [3,5]. Eq. (1). Shows the electric permittivity. 77
between the woven and knitted were successfully elucidated
13 78
by the evidence that the woven fabrics had more yarn orien- E ¼ E0 x Er ¼ E0 x ðEIr  J x EIIr Þ
14 (1) 79
15 tation in the fabric thickness direction than the knitted fabrics 80
[24]. Thus, it favors to affirm that the knitted fabrics are Where E0 is the vacuum permittivity (8.885  1012 mF ) and Er is
16 81
17 promising for use in telecommunication devices substrate. the relative permittivity. The loss tangent (tgs) reflects a 82
18 And others authors as de Holanda et al., 2017, affirmed that fraction between JxEII I
r and Er as Eq. (2). This quantity resumes 83
19 knitted fabrics with biodegradable and synthetic fibers have the matter electric characteristics, for make easily the 84
20 the proper nature to made possible the confection of different definition of substrate losses [3,5]. 85
21 configurations of antenna. In addition, the radiation proper- 86
22 ðJ x EIIr Þ 87
ties of this type of substrates agree with the radiation pattern tgs ¼ (2)
23 EIr 88
of the classic microstrip antennas made of non-textile mate-
24 89
rial [25]. Thus, it was found that knitted fabrics have the
25 2.2. Yarns used in the manufacture of knitted fabrics 90
electrical and physical features necessary to create adaptable
26 studied 91
27 textile antennas, enabling high mobility and comfort to its 92
28 users. 93
The steps used on this paper to physical and electrical char-
29 Then, aiming to expand the frontiers of knowledge about 94
acterization are shown on flowchart of Fig. 1.
30 blended knitted fabrics used as telecommunication device 95
Knitted fabrics used in this investigation were manufac-
31 substrate. This work aims to develop an experimental study 96
tured in circular machine of mono-fronture (2722 needles and
32 in order to investigate the impact of Jersey knitted fabrics in 97
33 91/inch gauge) by blended yarns of natural and synthetics 98
physical and electrical properties manufactured from 4
34 fibers. The compositions of yarns used were 100% cotton (CO), 99
compositions of different blended yarns, 100% cotton (CO),
35 50% cotton/50% polyester (CO þ PES), 50% cotton/50% spandex 100
50% cotton/50% polyester (CO þ PES), 50% cotton/50%
36 (CO þ PUE) and 50% cotton/50% polyamide (CO þ PA) to 101
spandex (CO þ PUE) and 50% cotton/50% polyamide
37 manufacture from knitting yarns (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and 102
38 (CO þ PA), And so, to promote the behavior understanding of 103
CO þ PA) the knitted fabrics as shown in Table 1.
39 knitted fabrics when applied as telecommunication device 104
All Jersey knitted fabrics were analyzed in relation to
40 substrate. 105
density of wales and courses, number count, grammage, loop
41 106
length, thickness and tightness factor [7,16,29]. Fig. 2 shows
42 107
the (a) needles diagram, (b) technical face and (c) technical
43 2. Experimental 108
44 back of all the Jersey knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE 109
45 and CO þ PA). 110
2.1. Permittivity and loss tangent
46 111
47 2.3. Electrical characterization 112
The electric permittivity (Er) of the knitted fabrics shows its
48 113
energy storing capacity when a potential is applied across it. It
49 The electrical proprietary tests were realized with probe 114
50 is related to the macroscopic properties like polarization or 115
method using the impedance meter 85070 E Agilent. The
51 116
52 117
53 118
54 119
55 120
56 121
57 122
58 123
59 124
60 125
61 126
62 127
63 128
64 129
65 130
Fig. 2 e Shows the Jersey knitted fabric studied in this work.

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 4/9

4 journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx

1 66
2 67
3 68
4 69
5 70
6 71
7 72
8 73
9 74
10 75
11 76
12 77
13 78
14 Fig. 3 e Measurement system using the method of the probe. 79
15 80
16 81
knitted fabrics were overlapping to reach 1.5 cm, height that standard ASTM D3887 [34]. Were selected four parts with
17 82
18 allowed obtain safe values. With the probe 020, the knitted 100 cm of length and weighted for each composition of knitted 83
19 fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) were pressed fabric, after were calculated the number count with indirect 84
20 under a flat region using the impedance meter, and were system (Ne) and direct system (Tex). 85
21 calculated the permittivity and loss tangent on frequency Were described the specifications of Jersey knitted fabric 86
22 range of 0.2e4.5 GHz for each composition of knitted fabrics. because, these important parameters influence on electrical 87
23 Using the values obtained was possible to determine what properties. As the grammage (relation between relation be- 88
24 better frequency ranges to use in specified application. In tween number count, loops length, density of wales and 89
25 Fig. 3 the measurement scheme used can be exhibited. courses) favors the increase and reduction of empty spaces 90
26 (air gaps) as evidenced by the tightness factor and thickness 91
27 92
2.4. Physical tests (exhibited in Table 2) [35]. Thus, when a smaller tightness
28 93
factor is obtained, the larger the quantity of empty spaces (air
29 94
The physical characterization was composed by the following gaps) present in knitted fabrics [36].
30 95
31 tests: dimensional stability, number count, grammage, den- 96
32 sity of wales and courses, loop length, thickness, tightness 2.4.3. Tensile test in Jersey knitted fabrics 97
33 factor and tensile test. Tensile tests were performed with MESDAN's Tensolab 3000 98
34 dynamometer equipment, according ASTM D5034 standard 99
35 2.4.1. Dimensional stability [37,38]. Knitted fabrics were cut to 15 cm length and 2.5 cm 100
36 The dimensional stability is a fundamental characteristic to width for each composition (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and 101
37 choose the knitted fabrics to be used on telecommunication CO þ PA) were tested at rate of 30 cm/min and a distance 102
38 103
device project, as it these characteristics implies directly on between claws 10 cm. From the data obtained were calculated
39 104
size variation during the use and can provokes changes on the means and standard deviation.
40 105
device performance. Thus, the test checks the resistance of
41 106
42 the knitted fabrics to changes at its dimensions when they are 107
43 washed [8,30,31]. The test follows the standard ASTM D6207 3. Results and discussion 108
44 [32]. Therefore, each compositions of the knitted fabrics were 109
45 washed during time of 30 min under 60  C of temperature. To 3.1. Electrical characterization 110
46 execute this process, was used the WASHTESTER (MATHIS), 111
47 equipment that washes textiles materials under controlled From this characterization it was possible to obtain the rela- 112
48 temperature. Was analyzed the two directions of wales and tive permittivity (Er) and the loss tangents (d) of the knitted 113
49 courses on knitted fabrics. fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) as shown in Figs. 114
50 115
4 and 5 respectively.
51 116
2.4.2. Grammage and number count
52 117
53 The grammage test defines the relation of weight and the area, 3.1.1. Real permittivity and loss tangent 118
54 ie, results on fraction with unit (Kg/m2) using ASTM D3776 To obtain a response signal of electrical permittivity in all 119
55 standard [33]. Number count test relates the yarn length with compositions of knitted fabrics (100% Cotton, 50% Cotton/50% 120
56 its correspondent weight. The realized test follows the Polyester, 50% Cotton/50% Spandex and 50% Cotton/50% 121
57 122
58 123
59 Table 2 e Specifications of Jersey knitted fabric this study. 124
60 Knitted Number count Grammage e GSM Wales Courses Stitch length Thickness Tightness 125
61 types (Kg/m2) (wpc) (cpc) (cm) (mm) factor 126
62 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
127
63 CO þ PES 66.4 ± 10.4Ne or 9.0 ± 1.4 Tex 0.13 ± 0.01 16 10 0.3 0.48 10 ± 3.9 128
64 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 ± 4.8 129
65 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 ± 3.5 130

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 5/9

journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx 5

1 66
2 67
3 68
4 69
5 70
6 71
7 72
8 73
9 74
10 75
11 76
12 77
13 78
14 79
15 80
16 81
17 82
18 83
19 84
20 85
21 86
22 87
23 88
24 89
25 90
26 91
Fig. 4 e Permittivity results of the knitted fabrics studied.
27 92
28 93
29 Polyamide) was a valuable result, because the frequency of exhibited a very similar behavior for all knitted fabric com- 94
30 95
operation defines the field of telecommunication devices positions (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA). It was evident
31 96
application. Fig. 4 shows the real permittivity variation as a that the ideal bands for the use of knitted fabrics (CO,
32 97
function of frequency. Dielectric constants showed a similar CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), due to the high values of
33 98
34 behavior without significant discrepancy, values around real permittivity (Er) were 0.3 GHze1.3 GHz and 2.3 99
35 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 1.4 100
36 tions of frequency values between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz. Was GHze2.2 GHz, values significantly lower than those 101
37 possible to observe in Fig. 4 that the dielectric constants obtained by the knitted fabrics of all compositions were 102
38 103
39 104
40 105
41 106
42 107
43 108
44 109
45 110
46 111
47 112
48 113
49 114
50 115
51 116
52 117
53 118
54 119
55 120
56 121
57 122
58 123
59 124
60 125
61 126
62 127
63 128
64 129
65 130
Fig. 5 e Results loss tangent on the knitted fabric studied.

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 6/9

6 journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx

1 number count [25]. Thus, the values of real part, loss factor 66
Table 3 e Specifications of Jersey knitted fabric this study.
2 and loss tangent (tan d) of the composition CO þ PES were 67
3 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 68
4 (EIr), 0.18 ± 0.61 (EII 69
CO 1.55 ± 0.53 0.56 ± 0.65 0.36 ± 0.4 r ), 0.1 ± 0.38 (tan d) respectively [24,40].
5 CO þ PES ± 0.47 0.21 ± 0.12 ± 0.4 70
1.75 0.64 Knitted fabrics of CO þ PES and CO þ PUE have a high electric
6 CO þ PUE 1.74 ± 0.46 0.18 ± 0.61 0.1 ± 0.38 71
permittivity, because, electric permittivity (Er) this textile
7 CO þ PA 1.57 ± 0.48 0.34 ± 0.6 0.22 ± 0.39 72
materials determines that the amount of stored energy pro-
8 73
9 motes the electric length increases which facilitates the size 74
10 reduction of the telecommunication device (miniaturization) 75
exhibited (Er approximately equal to 1). These relatively low
11 values of dielectric constants show the high porosity rates
as observed in Figs. 4 and 5 and Table 2 [40]. In Fig. 5 was 76
12 observed a characteristic increase in loss tangent (tan d) for all 77
presented by knitted fabrics, due to the portion of CO (cotton)
13 knitted fabrics compositions at high frequencies, with all 78
in each knitted fabrics and the variations of grammage to
14 peaks at 1.75 GHz followed by a reduction. 79
15 compensate the action of portion synthetics fibers in electrical 80
Considering that the ideal loss tangent is equal to zero,
16 properties [25,37]. Thus, each composition of knitted fabrics 81
were observed in Table 3 that the loss tangents from all
17 (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) exhibited bands, fre- 82
knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA) were
18 quency and real permittivity ideas for application in primary 83
low (2.45 GHz), even when compared with other knitted
19 and secondary mobile services, and aeronautical radio- 84
20 fabrics of authors as de Holanda, Samanta M., et al., 2017, 85
navigation and broadcasting.
21 Aquino, Marcos S., et al., 2019 [25,40]. Thus, the knitted fab- 86
However, in terms of miniaturization and knowing that the
22 rics compositions with the more potential in terms of appli- 87
majority of installations of microwave power are at ISM (In-
23 cation were the CO þ PES and CO þ PUE, which presented the 88
dustrial Scientific and Medical) frequencies, mainly at
24 lowest values of loss tangents (tan d) at 2.45 GHz as shown in 89
2.45 GHz with some at 915 MHz (0.915 GHz) and a few at
25 Fig. 5. Finally, among the existing frequencies within the ISM 90
433 MHz (0.433 GHz) [39]. The knitted fabrics CO þ PES (50%
26 band, the frequency of 2.45 GHz is the most widely used in 91
27 cotton/50% polyester) and CO þ PUE (50% cotton/50% spandex) 92
wireless communication systems (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc.),
28 were the compositions that exhibited significantly higher 93
enabling for several applications the knitted fabrics as sub-
29 performance in terms of miniaturization of telecommunica- 94
strate in telecommunications device, because operates at
30 tion devices compared to the others (CO and CO þ PA), 95
this frequency [40].
31 because significantly higher values of the real part (EIr) were 96
32 obtained than the loss factor (EII r ) of the permittivity at
97
33 2.45 GHz as shown in Table 2. The knitted fabrics of CO and 3.2. Physical tests 98
34 CO þ PA exhibited similar behavior and lower electrical per- 99
35 100
formance (low real part, high loss factor and high loss tangent) 3.2.1. Dimensional stability
36 101
at 2.45 GHz due to low permittivity values, because of the Knitted fabrics are considered to have good dimensional sta-
37 102
38 grammage and due to the mainly fibers composition and bility (changes in the width and axial dimensions) if they 103
39 104
40 105
41 106
42 107
43 108
44 109
45 110
46 111
47 112
48 113
49 114
50 115
51 116
52 117
53 118
54 119
55 Fig. 6 e Dimensional stability on both directions: (a), wales and (b),courses. 120
56 121
57 122
58 Table 4 e Tensile test results on wales direction and courses direction. 123
59 124
60 Knitted types Stress (MPa) Strain MOE (GPa) 125
61 Wales Courses Wales Courses Wales Courses 126
62 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
127
63 CO þ PES 494.9 ± 3 476 ± 2.1 0.8 ± 0.02 1.8 ± 0.3 0.6 ± 0.1 0.3 ± 0.02 128
64 CO þ PUE 1293.6 ± 7.6 580.8 ± 1.3 1.5 ± 0.2 4 ± 0.7 0.8 ± 0.015 0.1 ± 0.002 129
65 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 ± 0.03 130

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 7/9

journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx 7

1 66
Table 5 e Summary of electrical, physical and tensile properties in studied Jersey knitted fabrics. Q1
2 67
3 Tests Parameters CO CO + PES CO + PUE CO + PA 68
4 Electrical Frequency (2.45 GHz) EIr 1.55 ± 0.53 1.75 ± 0.47 1.74 ± 0.46 1.57 ± 0.48 69
5 EIIr 0.56 ± 0.65 0.21 ± 0.64 0.18 ± 0.61 0.34 ± 0.6 70
6 tan d 0.36 ± 0.4 0.12 ± 0.4 0.1 ± 0.38 0.22 ± 0.39 71
7 Physical Number count (Ne and Tex) 47.3 ± 2.7Ne 66.4 ± 10.4 N 47.9 ± 8.1Ne 49.2 ± 13.9 N 72
8 12.5 ± 0.7 Tex 9.0 ± 1.4 Tex 12.5 ± 2.1 Tex 12.5 ± 3.5 Tex 73
9 Loop length (cm) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 74
10 Density of wales (wpc) 24 16 10 16 75
11 Density of courses (cpc) 12 10 9 22 76
12 Grammage (Kg/m2) 0.17 ± 0.02 0.13 ± 0.01 0.25 ± 0.03 0.13 ± 0.06 77
13 Thickness (mm) 0.58 0.48 0.8 0.48 78
14 Tightness factor 11.8 ± 2.8 10 ± 3.9 11.8 ± 4.8 11.8 ± 3.5 79
15 Dimensional stability (%) Wales 0 7 17 5 80
16 Courses 10 0 5 5 81
17 Tensile Stress (MPa) Wales 446.4 ± 2.4 494.9 ± 3 1293.6 ± 7.6 510.5 ± 0.5 82
Courses 663.2 ± 3.1 476 ± 2.1 580.8 ± 1.3 1659.5 ± 6.3
18 83
Strain Wales 1.2 ± 0.1 0.8 ± 0.02 1.5 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.01
19 84
Courses 1.1 ± 0.08 1.8 ± 0.3 4 ± 0.7 2.9 ± 0.2
20 85
MOE (GPa) Wales 0.4 ± 0.01 0.6 ± 0.1 0.8 ± 0.015 0.7 ± 0.04
21 86
Courses 0.4 ± 0.01 0.3 ± 0.02 0.1 ± 0.002 0.6 ± 0.03
22 87
23 88
24 resist permanent deformation during use and during washing potential use as a substrate for a telecommunication device as 89
25 and dry-cleaning [41,42]. However, evaluating if remains un- shown in Table 5. Which exhibited the values of stress and 90
26 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), 91
27 communication device performance. The values obtained CO þ PUE (1293.6 ± 7.6) and CO þ PA (510.5 ± 0.5). On the other 92
28 from dimensional stability can be positive (þ) when there is an hand, CO exhibited stress significantly lower than the other 93
29 increase or negative () when there are usually reductions in knitted fabrics (CO þ PES, CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), but with 94
30 95
both dimensions of the knitted fabrics. As observed in the high regularity in the values of mechanical properties char-
31 96
study by Ahmed Asif et al., 2013, the Jersey knitted fabrics acterizing by standard deviation low [18].
32 97
33 composed of 100% cotton have negative dimensional stability While, CO þ PUE exhibited a standard deviation signifi- 98
34 or reductions in both dimensions of the knitted fabrics [43]. cantly higher compared to others (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PA), 99
35 Therefore, CO knitted fabrics were softer, good dimensional but with high irregularity in the values of obtained mechanical 100
36 stability and improve humidity absorption [16,44]. Knitted properties. While, the values of stress and MOE in courses 101
37 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 102
38 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 103
39 dimensional stability compared to other knitted fabrics (CO because knitted fabrics are an anisotropic structure and when 104
40 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 105
41 106
manufactured with 50% cotton/50% spandex (CO þ PUE) in the horizontal direction the head and foot of the loops
42 107
exhibited significantly weak percentages of dimensional sta- restrict the deformation of the knitted fabrics 4 [18]. When
43 108
bility for application as a substrate based on knitted fabrics in strain values were compared in terms of mechanical proper-
44 109
45 telecommunication device compared to CO knitted fabrics ties it was observed that CO þ PUE in wales direction (1.5 ± 0.2) 110
46 [45]. However, Jersey knitted fabrics with 50% cotton/50% and courses (4 ± 0.7) exhibited high values compared to knit- 111
47 polyamide (CO þ PA) obtained larger or excellent dimensional ted fabrics studied (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PA). 112
48 stability which is the ideal for this purpose (telecommunica- 113
49 tion device), since CO þ PA knitted fabrics will resist and/or 114
50 remain unchanged when subjected to deformations caused by 4. Conclusions 115
51 the conditions of use, as well as during the washing and 116
52 drying of the telecommunication device based on textile Relatively low values of dielectric constants show the high 117
53 118
substrates. The CO þ PA knitted fabrics (50% cotton and 50% porosity rates presented by knitted fabrics, due to the portion
54 119
polyamide) had better dimensional stability than the others of CO (cotton) in each knitted fabrics and the variations of
55 120
56 knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES and CO þ PUE). This was due to grammage to compensate the action of portion synthetics fi- 121
57 the polyamide (excellent dimensional stability) present in the bers in electrical properties. Dielectric constants showed a 122
58 blend (CO þ PA) exhibit characteristics intrinsic to this type of similar behavior without significant discrepancy, values 123
59 fiber as high resistance of external factors (good chemical around 2.0 GHz in the IEEE 802.11 b standard and pointed out 124
60 resistance) and temperature (low creep at elevated tempera- variations of frequency values between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz 125
61 tures) [16,44]. the ideal bands for the use of knitted fabrics (CO, CO þ PES, 126
62 CO þ PUE and CO þ PA), due to the high values of real 127
63 3.2.2. Tensile tests permittivity were 0.3 GHze1.3 GHz and 2.3 GHze3.6 GHz of the 128
64 129
The results obtained in Table 4 showed that the mechanical frequency, as well as, in the range of 1.4 GHze2.2 GHz. Knitted
65 130
behavior (stress, strain and MOE) of knitted fabrics with fabrics of CO þ PES and CO þ PUE have a high electric

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 8/9

8 journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx

1 permittivity, because, electric permittivity this textile mate- [8] Koski K, Sydanheimo L, Rahmat-Samii Y, Ukkonen L. 66
2 rials determines that the amount of stored energy promotes Fundamental characteristics of electro-textiles in wearable 67
3 the electric length increases which facilitates the size reduc- UHF RFID patch antennas for body-centric sensing systems. 68
4 tion of the telecommunication device (miniaturization). Thus,
IEEE Trans Antenn Propag 2014;62:6454e62. https://doi.org/ 69
5 10.1109/TAP.2014.2364071. 70
the knitted fabrics compositions with the more potential in [9] Manzari S, Occhiuzzi C, Marrocco G. Feasibility of body-
6 71
terms of application were the CO þ PES and CO þ PUE, which centric systems using passive textile RFID tags. IEEE Antenn
7 72
presented the lowest values of loss tangents (tan d) at Propag Mag 2012;54:49e62. https://doi.org/10.1109/
8 73
2.45 GHz. Jersey knitted fabrics manufactured with 50% cot- MAP.2012.6309156.
9 74
ton/50% spandex (CO þ PUE) exhibited significantly weak [10] Sennewald C, Hoffmann G, Kleicke R. Woven semi-finished
10 75
products and weaving techniques. Text. Mater. Light.
11 percentages of dimensional stability for application as a sub- 76
Constr.. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016.
12 strate based on knitted fabrics in telecommunication device 77
p. 159e211. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46341-3_5.
13 compared to CO knitted fabrics. Jersey knitted fabrics with [11] Lehmann B, Herzberg C. Yarn constructions and yarn
78
14 50% cotton/50% polyamide (CO þ PA) obtained larger or formation techniques. Text. Mater. Light. Constr.. Berlin, 79
15 excellent dimensional stability which is the ideal for this Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016. p. 103e57. 80
16 purpose (telecommunication device), since CO þ PA knitted https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46341-3_4. 81
17 [12] Trümper W. Semi-finished weft knitted fabrics and weft 82
fabrics will resist and/or remain unchanged when subjected to
18 knitting techniques. Text. Mater. Light. Constr.. Berlin, 83
deformations caused by the conditions of use, as well as
19 Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016. p. 213e50. 84
20 during the washing and drying of the telecommunication 85
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46341-3_6.
21 device based on textile substrates. [13] Lee JH, Dzagbletey PA, Jang M, Chung J-Y, So J-H. Flat yarn 86
22 fabric substrates for screen-printed conductive textiles. Adv 87
23 Eng Mater 2020. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202000722. 88
Declaration of Competing Interest
24 2000722. 89
25 [14] Hund H, Hund R-D. Textile finishing and finishing 90
26 The authors declare that they have no known competing technologies. Text. Mater. Light. Constr.. Berlin, Heidelberg: 91
27 financial interests or personal relationships that could have Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016. p. 427e77. https://doi.org/ 92
28 appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. 10.1007/978-3-662-46341-3_13. 93
[15] Mukherjee PK. Dielectric properties in textile materials: a
29 94
theoretical study. J Text Inst 2019;110:211e4. https://doi.org/
30 95
10.1080/00405000.2018.1473710.
31 96
Acknowledgements [16] Vigo TL. Textile processing and properties, preparation,
32 97
dyeing, finishing and performance. 1 st ed. Elsevier Science
33 Ltd; 1994.
98
34 Q2 This research was supported by our Lord. Authors thank those 99
[17] Dhupkariya S, Singh VKSA. A review of textile materials for
35 responsible for laboratories LABMICRO, from Department of wearable antenna. J Microw Eng Technol 2014;1:7e14. 100
36 Environmental Sciences and Technology (UFERSA), LAPCOM, [18] Zı́lio L, Dias M, Santos T, Santos C, Fonseca R, Amaral A, 101
37 from Department of Electrical Engineering, and LABCTEX et al. Characterization and statistical analysis of the 102
38 from the Department of Textile Engineering, Federal Univer- mechanical behavior of knitted structures used to reinforce 103
39 sity of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). composites: yarn compositions and float stitches. J Mater 104
40 Res Technol 2020;9:8323e36. https://doi.org/10.1016/ 105
41 j.jmrt.2020.05.089. 106
42 references [19] Islam GMN, Ali A, Collie S. Textile sensors for wearable 107
43 applications: a comprehensive review. Cellulose 108
44 2020;27:6103e31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03215-5. 109
45 [20] Pragya A, Deogaonkar-Baride S. Effect of yarn interlacement 110
[1] Yoo Hoi-Jun. Your heart on your sleeve: advances in textile- pattern on the surface electrical conductivity of intrinsically
46 111
based electronics are weaving computers right into the conductive fabrics. Synth Met 2020;268:116512. https://
47 112
clothes we wear. IEEE Solid-State Circuits Mag 2013;5:59e70. doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2020.116512.
48 https://doi.org/10.1109/MSSC.2012.2232781. 113
[21] Paradiso R, Caldani L, Pacelli M. Knitted electronic textiles.
49 [2] Bai Q, Langley R. Crumpling of PIFA textile antenna. IEEE 114
Wearable sensors. Elsevier; 2014. p. 153e74. https://doi.org/
50 Trans Antenn Propag 2012;60:63e70. https://doi.org/10.1109/ 115
10.1016/B978-0-12-418662-0.00003-9.
51 TAP.2011.2167944. 116
[22] Bal K, Kothari VK. Measurement of dielectric properties of
52 [3] Balanis CA. Antenna theory: analysis and design. 4th ed. 117
textile materials and their applications. Indian J Fibre Text
53 John Wiley & Sons.; 2016. Res 2009;34:191e9.
118
54 [4] Garg Ramesh, et al. Microstrip antenna design handbook. [23] J L. Dielectric permittivity measurement methods of textile 119
55 Artech House; 2001. substrate of textile transmission lines. Przeglad 120
56 [5] Smith BCM. The microwave engineering handbook: Elektrotechniczny 2012;88:148e51. 121
57 microwave systems and applications. 3rd ed. Springer [24] Mukai Y, Suh M. Relationships between structure and 122
58 Science & Business Media; 2012. microwave dielectric properties in cotton fabrics. Mater Res 123
59 [6] Kavitha A, Swaminathan JN. Design of flexible textile Express 2020;7:015105. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ 124
60 antenna using FR4, jeans cotton and teflon substrates. ab653c. 125
61 Microsyst Technol 2019;25:1311e20. https://doi.org/10.1007/ [25] de Holanda SM, da Silva JP, de S, Queiroz I, de Andrade HD, 126
62 s00542-018-4068-y. Guerra JRF, et al. Microstrip antenna based on knitted fabrics 127
[7] Scarpello ML, Ginste D Vande, Rogier H. Design of a low-cost
63 with biodegradable synthetic fibers. J Mater Sci Mater 128
steerable textile antenna array operating in varying relative
64 Electron 2017;28:15118e26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854- 129
humidity conditions. Microw Opt Technol Lett 2012;54:40e4. 017-7387-3.
65 130
https://doi.org/10.1002/mop.26510.

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002
 JMRTEC2958_proof ■ 19 April 2021 ■ 9/9

journal of materials research and technology xxxx;xxx:xxx 9

1 [26] Schmidt VH, Chien RR, Tu C-S. Electric field-induced domain [36] Hunter L. Durability of fabrics and garments. Eng. Appar. 38
2 structures and phase transitions in PMNePT single crystals. Fabr. Garments. Elsevier; 2009. p. 161e200. https://doi.org/ 39
3 In: Handb. Adv. Dielectr. Piezoelectric ferroelectr. Mater. 10.1533/9781845696443.161. 40
4 Elsevier; 2008. p. 333e65. https://doi.org/10.1533/ [37] dos Santos TF, da Silva Santos CM, da Fonseca RT, dos 41
5 9781845694005.2.333. Santos VS, Grosschopf MG, de Aquino MS. Influence of 42
6 [27] Sebastian MT. Measurement OF microwave dielectric structure and composition in the mechanical properties of 43
7 properties and factors affecting them. Dielectr Mater Wirel textile polymeric fabrics. Polym Polym Compos 2019. https:// 44
8 Commun 2008:11e47. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08- doi.org/10.1177/0967391118823075. 45
045330-9.00002-9. Elsevier. [38] ASTM D5034-09(2017). Standard test method for
9 46
[28] Fitterman DV. Tools and techniques: active-source breaking strength and elongation of textile fabrics (grab
10 47
electromagnetic methods. Treatise geophys 2015:295e333. test). West Conshohocken; 2017. https://doi.org/10.1520/
11 48
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53802-4.00193-7. Elsevier. D5034-09R17.
12 49
[29] Salvado R, Loss C, Gonçalves R, Pinho P. Textile materials for [39] Stuchly MA, Stuchly SS. Industrial, scientific, medical and
13 the design of wearable antennas: a survey. Sensors domestic applications of microwaves. IEE Proc A Phys Sci
50
14 2012;12:15841e57. https://doi.org/10.3390/s121115841. Meas Instrumentation, Manag Educ Rev 1983;130:467. 51
15 [30] Sanjari HR, Merati AA, Varkiani SMH, Tavakoli A. A study on https://doi.org/10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0076. 52
16 the effect of compressive strain on the resonance frequency [40] Aquino MS, Holanda SM, Santos TF, Melo MV, Junior NDL, 53
17 of rectangular textile patch antenna: elastic and isotropic Júnior ISQ, et al. Analysis of polymeric knitted fabrics on 54
18 model. J Text Inst 2014;105:156e62. https://doi.org/10.1080/ properties for telecommunications devices application. 55
19 00405000.2013.832472. Fibers Polym 2019;20:2348e54. https://doi.org/10.1007/ 56
20 € rninen T, Merilampi S, Syda
[31] Virkki J, Bjo € nheimo L, Ukkonen L. s12221-019-8724-3. 57
21 The effects of recurrent stretching on the performance of [41] Saville BP. Dimensional stability. Phys. Test. Text. Elsevier 58
22 electro-textile and screen-printed ultra-high-frequency 1999:168e83. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781845690151.168. 59
23 radio-frequency identification tags. Textil Res J [42] Cooke B. The physical properties of weft knitted structures. 60
24 2015;85:294e301. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517514545261. Adv. Knitt. Technol. Elsevier 2011:37e49e. https://doi.org/ 61
25 [32] ASTM International. ASTM D6207-03(2019). Standard test 10.1533/9780857090621.1.37. 62
26 method for dimensional stability of fabrics to changes in [43] Asif A, Rahman M, Farha FI. Effect of knitted structure 63
27 humidity and temperature. 2019. 6. on the properties of knitted fabric. Int J Sci Res 64
28 [33] ASTM D3776/D3776M-09a. Standard test methods for mass 2015;4:1230e5. 65
per unit area (weight) of fabric. West Conshohocken; 2017. [44] Mikuc ioniene_ D, Laureckiene_ G. The influence of drying
29 66
https://doi.org/10.1520/D3776_D3776M-09AR17. 2017. conditions on dimensional stability of cotton weft knitted
30 67
[34] ASTM D3887-96 (2008). Standard specification for tolerances fabrics. Mater Sci 2009;15:64e8.
31  68
for knitted fabrics. West Conshohocken; 2008. https:// [45] Abramavic  iu
 te_ J, Mikuc
ioniene_ D, Ciukas R. Structure
32 69
doi.org/10.1520/D3887-96R08. properties of knits from natural yarns and their combination
33 [35] Hunter L, Fan J. Adding functionality to garments. Text. with elastane and polyamide threads. Mater Sci
70
34 Fash.. Elsevier; 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84569- 2011;17:43e6. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.17.1.247. 71
35 931-4.00028-3. 705e37. 72
36 73
37 74

Please cite this article as: Aquino M et al., An evaluation and characterization study of knitted fabrics for use as telecommunication
device substrate, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.002