  An objective approach to select the best fabric for technical and home
textiles consists in mechanical properties evaluation. The goal of this study
is to analyze the behavior of knitted fabrics undergoing stretch stress. In
this respect, three types of 2 colors Rib structure (backstripes jacquard,
twillback jacquard and double-layered 3x3 rib fabric) have been presented and
tested for tensile strength and elongation on three directions. First, the
elasticity and the behavior of knitted Rib fabrics were described The fabrics
were knitted using 100% PAN yarns with Nm 1/15x2 on a E5 CMS 330 Stoll V-bed
knitting machine, and have been tested using INSTROM 5587 Tensile Testing
Machine in respect of standards conditions. After a relaxation period, 15
specimens were prepared, being disposed at 0{\deg}, 45{\deg} and 90{\deg}
angles to the wale direction on the flat knitted panel. The tensile strength
and the elongation values were recorded and mean values were computed. After
strength and tensile elongation testing for 3 types of rib based knitted
fabrics, one can see that the double layer knit presents the best mechanical
behavior, followed by birds-eyebacking 2 colors Jacquard and then back striped
Jacquard. For tensile stress in bias direction, the twillbacking Jacquard has a
good breakage resistance value due to the higher number of rib sinker loops in
structure that are positioned on the same direction with the tensile force. The
twillbacking Jacquard structure could be considered as an alternative for the
base material for decorative and home textile products.
