Aramid fibers are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers.
They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic
rated body armor fabric, and as an asbestos substitute. The name is a
shortened form of "aromatic polyamide". They are fibers in which the
chain molecules are highly oriented along the fiber axis, so the
strength of the chemical bond can be exploited.
History of Aramid Fiber
Aromatic polyamides were first introduced in commercial applications in the early 1960s, with a meta-aramid fiber produced by DuPont under the tradename Nomex. This fiber, which handles similarly to normal textile apparel fibers, is characterized by its excellent resistance to heat, as it neither melts nor ignites in normal levels of oxygen. It is used extensively in the production of protective apparel, air filtration, thermal and electrical insulation as well as a substitute for asbestos. Meta-aramid is also produced in the Netherlands and Japan by Teijin under the tradename Teijinconex, in China by Yantai under the tradename New Star and a variant of meta-aramid in France by Kermel under the tradename Kermel.
Production of Aramid Fiber World capacity of para-aramid production is estimated at about 41,000 tons/yr in 2002 and increases each year by 5-10%. In 2007 this means a total production capacity of around 55,000 tons/yr.
History of Aramid Fiber
Aromatic polyamides were first introduced in commercial applications in the early 1960s, with a meta-aramid fiber produced by DuPont under the tradename Nomex. This fiber, which handles similarly to normal textile apparel fibers, is characterized by its excellent resistance to heat, as it neither melts nor ignites in normal levels of oxygen. It is used extensively in the production of protective apparel, air filtration, thermal and electrical insulation as well as a substitute for asbestos. Meta-aramid is also produced in the Netherlands and Japan by Teijin under the tradename Teijinconex, in China by Yantai under the tradename New Star and a variant of meta-aramid in France by Kermel under the tradename Kermel.
Production of Aramid Fiber World capacity of para-aramid production is estimated at about 41,000 tons/yr in 2002 and increases each year by 5-10%. In 2007 this means a total production capacity of around 55,000 tons/yr.
Aramid Fiber Characteristics
- Aramids share a high degree of orientation with other fibers such as Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, a characteristic which dominates their properties.
- Good resistance to abrasion
- Good resistance to organic solvents
- Nonconductive
- No melting point, degradation starts from 500°C
- Low flammability
- Good fabric integrity at elevated
- Sensitive to acids and salts
- Sensitive to ultraviolet radiation
- Prone to static build-up unless finished
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Heat protective clothing and helmets
- Body armor[competing with PE based fiber products such as Dyneema and Spectra
- Composite materials
- Asbestos replacement (e.g. braking pads)
- Hot air filtration fabrics
- Tires, newly as Sulfron (sulfur modified Twaron)
- Mechanical rubber goods reinforcement