Study Unit 7: Manufactured non-cellulosic: polyamide ARAMID

Question 1

What is an aramid fibre?

Answer 1

An aramid fibre is one in which the fibre-forming substance is a long-chain polyamide in which at least 85% of the amide linkages are attached directly between two aromatic rings.

Question 2

Hisotry

Answer 2

The first aramid fibre was introduced in 1963. 1980 in the United States of America there were two aramid fibres available, namely Nomex® and Kevlar®; and one available in Japan, namely Conex®.

Question 3

The most important property of Nomex is:

Answer 3

The most important property of Nomex is its resistance to temperatures and flame.

Question 4

Properties

Answer 4

The fibre can withstand temperatures of up to 370 oC. It has extremely low flammability and is self extinguishing as soon as it is removed from the flame. It has poor resistance to sunlight.

Question 5

Uses

Answer 5

It is used as heat-protective clothing, space apparel, ironing- or pressing-machine covers, and for other industrial and military applications.
Kevlar has an extremely high tenacity of approximately 194 cN/tex. This is more than five times the strength of steel wire. It is also used for protective clothing, particularly for body armour, such as bullet proof vests, or for the strings on tennis racquets.