Application of warp-knitted spacer fabrics in car seats

Abstract

Polyurethane foam is commonly used as padding in car seats despite some problems concerning comfort and recycling. Compared with polyurethane foam, textile seat padding is easier to recycle; so textile padding is a good candidate to substitute foam padding as regulations on recycling have become more stringent on car manufacturers. With the available textile option, warp-knitted spacer fabrics are likely a good substitute for polyurethane foam as padding in car seats. Warp-knitted spacer fabric structures can be designed to be quite flexible in a variety of thicknesses. Warp-knitted spacer fabrics can be very resilient and may display good breathing properties. The current work presents a study on the application of warp-knitted spacer fabrics as cushion in car seats. The results show that, relatively to polyurethane foam, warp-knitted spacer fabrics demonstrate better recovery to compression, thermal properties and breathability. Furthermore, warp-knitted spacer fabrics retain their original thickness for longer time and can be easily recycled.