What are Aramid Fibers?(I) - The Introduction to A Versatile Material

It might be difficult for you to conjure up an image when I mention the words aramid fibers. Still, if I told you that they are the raw materials used within body armor, bullet-proof vest, firefighters uniforms, etc., you start to get the picture.

In fact, aramid fibers are the superstar family in the fiber world. They appear as bright golden yellow filaments (so far, more colors are available). The name comes from a combination of two words, an "aromatic polyamide." Due to their outstanding strength-to-weight ratio and heat-resistant properties, aramid fibers are widely used in the above-mentioned protective-wear applications.

aramid fibers have more colors avaliable now

And aramid fiber properties are more than that (more on those later on). Aramid fibers play an essential role in composites, the automotive industry, military applications, and many similar fields.

1. History of Aramid Fibers

It took quite a while to work out how to utilize aramid fibers, mainly because they just can't be dissolved in anything. This makes the process of working with aramid fibers rather tricky. The dramatic development of aromatic polyamides is mainly down to the discovery of lyotropic liquid crystalline aramid, which in solid form is commercially known as Kevlar®(DuPont's brand).

In the early 1970s, a Polish-American chemist named Stephanie Kwolek, a DuPont Research Scientist, invented the para-aramid, branded as Kevlar®. In 1964, Kwolek's team started looking into a new lightweight, strong fiber for tires. The discovery of lyotropic liquid crystalline aramids enabled her to develop a novel spinning process for the anisotropic solution, leading to Kevlar's commercialization.

the molecular structure of aramid

Structure of Kevlar, a para-aramid

Kwolek's s invention of Kevlar was fundamentally groundbreaking. In July 1995, she became the fourth woman to be added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 1995 DuPont also awarded her the Lavoisier Medal for outstanding technical achievement, which is remarkable as she is the only female employee to have received the honor.

the molecular structure of meta-aramid (Nomex)

A Firefighter in Toronto, Canada wears a Nomex hood (2007)

However, aramid fibers themselves became commercialized in the early 1960s, before the invention of Kevlar. The trade name was Nomex®, a meta-aramid fiber produced by DuPont. The credit for this great invention goes to Dr. Wilfred Sweeny, a Scottish-born scientist who also worked for DuPont.

This particular fiber features excellent thermal resistance, which means that it does not melt or catch fire at a typical oxygen level. This material was very quickly used to manufacture protective clothing, air filtration units, and become a substitute for asbestos. Nomex® was marketed in 1967 and has saved millions of lives, including firefighters, aircraft pilots, racing car drivers, to name but a few!

Meta-aramids are produced in many other countries including the Netherlands, Japan by Teijin under the trade name Conex, in Korea by Toray under the trade name Arawin, in China by Yantai Tayho under the trade name New Star, by SRO Group (China) under the trade name X-Fiper, a variant of meta-aramid in France by Kermel under the trade name Kermel as well.

There are even more twists and turns in the development of aramid fibers which you can see in the table below, the entire history of aramid fibers.

History of Development of Aramid Fibers

Year Event Producer Base Polymer
1938 Commercialization of Nylon
1962 Introduction of Nomex fiber DuPont Co., USA MPD-1
1965 Discovery of anisotropic polymer
1970 Discovery of air-gap spinning
1971 Introduction of fiber-B DuPont Co., USA (i)PBA
(ii)PPD-T
1972 Introduction of Tejincorex
Commercialization of Kevlar
Introduction of Twaron
Introduction of Kermel
Introduction of Fenilon
Teijin Ltd, Japan & DuPont Co., USA
Akzo Chemicals BF, Netherlands
Rhone-Poulene, France
USSR
MPD-1
PPD-T
PPD-T
MPD-1
MPD-1
1976 Introduction of SVM fiber(formerly Vniivlon) USSR Polyhetero arylene
1978 Development of arenka aramid fiber
1987 Introduction of HMO-50(Technora) aramid fiber Teijin Ltd, Japan
1988 Commercialization of Twaron (formerly Arneka)
Introduction of PBO-HM
Toyobo. Japan Toyobo. Japan
1996 Introduction of Trevar(discontinued later) Hoecst. Germany
1997 Kevlar 49 HS by new fiber technology(NFT) DuPont Co., USA
1998 Introduction of Armos Russia p-aromatic hydrocyclic copolyamide

2. About the Aramid Fiber Category

In addition, both Nomex (a meta-aramid) and Kevlar (a para-aramid) have a number of variants each with specific properties.

For Nomex, its variations are of the copolyamide type, of which a well-known one is Teijinconex under Teijin.

For Kevlar, other para-aramid yarns can act as the replacement. And they usually come at a lower cost, with Twaron and Technora by Teijin, Heracron by Kolon, as well as Alkex by Hyosung included, each of which can exhibit similar results to Kevlar.

Kevlar® and Para-aramid Filament Yarn Alternatives Compared

Manufacturer Dupont Hyosung Kolon Teijin Teijin
Trade Name Kevlar®29 Alkex®AF-1000 Heracron®HF200 Twaron® Technora®
Specification UofM
Density (g/cm3) 1.44 1.44 1.44 1.44 - 1.45 1.39
Tenacity (g/den) 23 23 23.0-24.0 18.7 - 28.3 28.3
Modulus (Gpa) 70.33 70 - 102 8. - 109 60 - 120 74
Elongation @ Break (%) 3.6 2.8 - 4.2 2.8 - 3.6 2.2 - 4.4 4.5
Moisture Regain (%) 7 4.5 not avail 3.2 - 5.0 1.9
Decomposition (°C) 427 - 482 500 not avail 500 500
(°F) 800 - 900 932 not avail 932 932

3. The Molecular Structure of Aramid Fibers

Aramid consists of relatively rigid polymer chains with linked benzene rigs and amide bonds. The structure endows aramid fibers with high tenacity, high modulus and great toughness.

the molecular structure of para-aramid (Kevlar)

The molecular structure of aramids can be shown as below:

3D model of Kevlar

Aramid

Kevlar is a kind of polyamide. Its amide groups are separated by para-phenylene groups. The amide groups attach to the phenyl rings opposite each other, at carbons 1 and 4.

para-aramid_Kevlar chemical structure: Kevlar is a kind of para-aramid

 Kevlar has some other variations and each of them differ

3D Model of Kevlar Aramid. Click Here to see.

While Nomex is a polyamide, it has meta-phenylene groups. That is, the amide groups are attached to the phenyl ring at carbons 1 and 3.

para-aramid_Kevlar chemical structure: Kevlar is a kind of para-aramid

4. The Properties of Aramid Fiber

Aramid fibers are created with a range of impressive properties. But due to the differences between para-aramid and meta-aramid, here I'd list the two separately.

#1. Para-aramid (typical example: Kevlar)

√ High Strength-to-weight ratio: Para-aramid fibers, like Kevlar and Twaron, are slightly different from the others. The two have outstanding strength-to-weight properties. Plus, they have great tenacity, making it abrasion-resistant.

Material Strength-to-weight
KN.m/kg.
Ultimate Tensile Strength
MPa
Density
g/cm3
Kevlar 2514 2757 1.44
Carbon Fiber 2457 4137 1.75
E Glass Fiber 1307 3450 2.57
Carbon Laminate 785 1600 1.5
E Glass Laminate 775 1500 1.97
Nylon 69 75 1.15

√ High Young's Modulus (structural rigidity): 130-179 GPa. While carbon fiber is 300 Gpa and glass 81 GPa.
(Young's Modulus: Also known as elastic modulus. It defines the relationship between stress and strain in a material)


Material
Young's Modulus
GPa
Aramid(such as Kevlar and Twaron) 70.5-112.4
Nylon 2-4
Polypropylene 1.5-2

√ Low elongation at break point, meaning that it stretches a little.

√ Para-aramid are usually Nonconductive under normal conditions.

√ Good Resistance to abrasion and cutting.

√ Good Resistance to organic solvents

√ Retain Low flammability, are resistant to thermal degradation and self-extinguishing.

√ Keep Good fabric integrity at elevated temperatures

√ Excellent Dimensional Stability.

#2. Meta-aramid (typical example: Nomex)

√ Heat Resistance: Meta-aramid has long-lasting thermal stability. It can operate for long time at a temperature of 204°C and it maintains excellent dimensional stability. It doesn't go brittle, soften or melt even if it is briefly exposed to temperatures up to 300°C .

√ Flame Resistance: Meta-aramid is inherently flame resistant. It won't self-burn or melt at regular levels of oxygen. And it's self-extinguishing. It will carbonize at 400°C.

√ Electrical Insulation: Meta-aramid has excellent electrical insulation properties. The dielectric strength of meta-aramid paper is up to 20kv/mm (Each meta-aramid differs).

√ Chemical Stability: Meta-aramid has a very stable chemical structure. It's resistant to organic solvents.

√ Radiation Resistance: Good resistance to Ultraviolet, α and β.

√ Mechanical Properties: Meta-aramid is formable for moldable parts.

√ Low elongation at break point as well as para-aramid, meaning that it stretches a little.

The key properties of para-aramid and meta-aramid have been listed above. While the properties among para-aramid variations and meta-aramid variations differ, too.

The table below shows the various characteristics of aramid fibers and compiled from the Chemical Economics Handbook and Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol.19 and Indian Journal of Fiber and Textile Research.

Properties of Commercial Aramid Fibers


Fiber Type
Density
g/cm3
Extension to Break
%
Modulus
GPa
Loop Elongation
%
Kevlar29 1.43 3.6 70 2.1
Kevlar49 1.45 2.8 135 1.3
Kevlar119 1.44 4.4 55 2.7
Kevlar129 1.45 3.3 99
Kevlar149 1.47 1.5 143 0.6
Nomex 1.38 22 17
Twaron 1.44 3.3 79
Twaron HM N/a 2 123
Technora 1.39 4.3 70
Technora V106 1.32 3.7 77

5. Major Application of Aramid Fibers

Thanks to the outstanding properties of aramid fibers, they can be used in a wide variety of industries.

√ Flame-resistant clothing: For example, military MIL-G-181188B suits. This includes Heat-protective clothing and helmets.

√ Substitute for asbestos (e.g. brake linings), whose fibers will give rise to pulmonary diseases after being inhaled into the lungs.

√ Hot air filtration fabrics

√ Reinforced thermoplastic pipes

√ Bullet-proof wear: Body armor, competing with PE-based fiber products such as Dyneema and Spectra.

√ Composite materials and they are often combined with carbon fiber.

√ Tires, most recently as Sulfron (sulfur-modified Twaron)

√ Mechanical rubber reinforcement

√ Ropes and cables, although severe weakening under impact, limits their use on boats and climbing. Aramid cables are more applicable to static load situations; for example, the cables used as guy-wires for hydro tower erection for Hydro Quebec.

√ Wicks for fire dancing

√ Optical fiber cable systems

√ Sailcloth (not necessarily racing boat sails)

√ Sporting equipment

√ Drumheads

√ Wind instrument reeds, such as the Fibracell brand

√ Loudspeaker diaphragms

√ Boat hull material

√ Fiber-reinforced concrete

√ Tennis strings (e.g. by Ashaway and Prince tennis companies)

√ Hockey sticks (normally in composition with such materials as wood and carbon)

√ Snowboards

√ Jet engine enclosures

 

The Bottom Line

Are you now suitably impressed at the versatility of the amazing fiber family?

I bet you are!

Next week I am going to talk more about aramid fibers so keep subscribed or you may lose the chance to pick up a little more materials science than the average guy in the street.

See ya!


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