Abstract: The 32D spacer fabric composite is a newly developed sandwich st ructure , which provides excellent
properties like out standing integrity , light weight , good designability , low manufacturing cost , and so on. The
fabric reinforcement with the hollow core is produced using the advanced textile technology , and the two surfaces are mechanically connected with continuous vertical plies. In this paper , the st ructural characters of 32D spacer fabric are analysed , the mechanical characteristics and damage modes of the 32D spacer fabric composite under flatwise compressive , shear , and three point s flexural loads are studied , and the effect s of st ructural parameters on the mechanical properties were investigated. The result s indicate that the compressive st rength and the shear st rength decrease , while the flexural stiffness increases with the increase of the pile height . The mechanical properties can be increased by raising the pile density. The result s cont ribute to the optimal design of 32D space fabrics.