Experimental characterization of dacron 360 woven constitutive behavior

Abstract

In the present paper some experimental analyses of Dacron© 360 woven aimed to characterize its constitutive behavior are presented. This woven, widely adopted in sail manufacturing, is obtained by weaving polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn and it shows some peculiar features due to the manufacturing process. The experimental tests, in terms of tensile tests and cyclic tests, clearly show the orthotropy features of the material, its high strength and deformability. Finally, the examination with optical microscope of the tested specimens allows to evidence how the warp and weft yarns interact.