Abstract: In order to guide the elastic weft plain fabric flexible sensor design, the resistance hexagon model, based on the loops’ structure of the fabric, for electro-mechanical properties of conductive knitted elastic fabrics made from silver-plating multi-filament yarns is built. The attention is focused on the relationship between the electrical resistance and the load on the fabric under uniaxial extension. The equivalent resistance of the fabric is obtained by solving the circuit equations of the network. It is found that parallel to the wale direction, the circuit net is a multiple circuit; and parallel to the course direction, the circuit net is a series circuit. To simplify the calculating, m courses by one wale unit loop only need. From the theoretical analysis and experimental investigations, it is found that the resistance change because of the transferring of the yarn segment is the key factor in the sensitivity of the elastic fabric sensor. The resistance of the fabric is a linear increase with the strain. Also, the contact resistance, the fabric structure and the yarn elongating affect the characteristics of the fabric sensor.

Key words: loop transfer, fabric sensor, model, silver-plating yarn, electro-mechanical propertiy