Introduction

History

Video

Here are some of the most common types of triaxial weaving:

Sparse triaxial weave

This fabric is sparse. It typically has about half as many structural elements per unit area - when compared with a rectangular woven fabric made using the same elements.

One of the feature of this fabric that it has holes in it. While this makes it unsuitable for some applications, it does help with applications which require holes or ventilation - such as chair fabric, linen baskets and lightshades.

Alternatively, it is appropriate where a light material is required - that is still very strong.

In Japan, this pattern is known as Mutume (six knitting).

This fabric is often known as the basic triaxial weave.

This sort of weave is one of the lightest simple weaves known. Its relative density (compared with the density of a single flat sheet) is about 1.00.

Sparse triaxial weave

Here is a rendering of this fabric made using bamboo strips.

Dense triaxial weave

This fabric has three layers of material at any point. It is thus stronger than a rectangular woven fabric made using the same elements. It is very regular and isotropic.

Its relative density is 3.00. It looks much the same from behind.

In Japan, this pattern is known as Tessen (wire knitting).

Unfortunately, this fabric is relatively difficult to manufacture.

It can be thought of as three "sparse" triaxial weaves interwoven. For more details, see the page of experiments.

Dense triaxial weave

Here is a rendering of this fabric made using bamboo strips.

Herringbone triaxial weave

This sort of triaxial weaving is not isotropic - but it is fairly common - perhaps as a result of being relatively simple to manufacture.

This pattern is based on an ordinary biaxial weave. Its relative density is 2.0. It looks much the same from behind.

In Japan, patterns like this one are known as Asanoha (crushed hemp knitting).

This is one of the triaxial fabrics can be constructed with different angles betwee the fibres. For an example of that, see the page of experiments.

It would be nice if there was a more isotropic version of this fabric.

I have a separate page about my efforts to locate such a fabric here.

Herringbone triaxial weave

Here is a rendering of this fabric made using bamboo strips.

Medium triaxial weave

This sort of triaxial weaving can be thought of as being composed of two mirror versions of the basic sparse fabric, interwoven with each other. Its relative density is 2.0. It looks much the same from behind.

Medium triaxial weave

Here is a rendering of this fabric made using bamboo strips.

3D structures

Sparse triaxial woven sphere

Medium triaxial woven sphere

Sparse triaxial woven sphere

These computer-generated sphere images were constructed using AntiPrism and Springie

Sepak Takraw ball (dense triaxial woven sphere)

This shows a traditional woven sphere - used in playing ball games in the east.

Removing elements

Sparse herringbone triaxial weave

This fabric is based on the Herringbone triaxial weave. Alternate white elements have been removed.

Using colour

Dense triaxial weave (Star of David)

Dense triaxial weaving patterns allow for some pleasing aesthetic variations. Here is a "Star of David" pattern - created by using a third of the woven elements of a different colour to the rest.

Surface effects

Chequerboard triaxial weave

This pattern is similar to the second herringbone pattern - however, the twill arrangment is slightly different - and the yellow fibres spend most of their time near the top of the pattern. The result looks a little like the dense triaxial weaving pattern - though in this case, the yellow rhombuses are as numerous as the red and blue ones combined. The pattern resembles a chequerboard - hence the name

This fabric is not very symmetrical. However, it does have some pleasing aesthetic properties.

This pattern is based on a 2,2 twill pattern. Its relative density is 3.00.

The front and back of this fabric look quite different - the yellow fibres are almost invisible from the back. If you want to add a second layer of fibres in one direction to a dense fabric, using this fabric with yellow fibres on both sides may be a good way of doing that.

For the back of this fabric, see the page of rear views.

More variations

Herringbone triaxial weave variation

One of the many variations on triaxial weaving patterns.

Its relative density is about 2.5. It looks much the same from behind.

For more triaxial weaving patterns, see the page of additional variations.

There is also a page of experiments a page of old images and the page of rear views.

Properties

Applications

The main selling points of triaxial weaving are:

• Light weight;
• Low material cost;
• Isotropy;
• Shear-resistance.

In particular, light shades, basketware, hats and high-performance applications demanding isotropic strain resistance seem particularly attractive applications for this sort of weaving.

Construction

The whug is not present in conventional rectangular weaving. During construction it acts very much like a second warp.

The warp can be laid down in simple parallel lines. The whug is then laid down on top of it - again in simple parallel l ines.

Finally the weft is woven in and out of both layers - to create the final fabric.

Patents

References