2023/05/18

FIBERS WITH SPECIALISED

APPLICATIONS

• Usually extremely expensive,

but provide sufficient
performance to justify the
cost

• Very important as technical

textiles due to their unique
resistance to heat, flames and
chemicals

• The so-called ‘high-

temperature’ fibers can be
used continually at
temperatures above 200°C
UNIT 9ii: SPECIAL-USE FIBERS without significant
decomposition and retain
ARAMID most of their physical
properties

ARAMID

• A manufactured fiber in which the ARAMID FIBER MORPHOLOGY

fiber-forming substance is a long-
chain synthetic polyamide in which at MACRO-STRUCTURE
least 85% of the amide linkages (-
CONH-) are attached directly to two
aromatic rings (phenyl /phenylene) • Aramid fibers are solid rods with little
significant internal structure
• Aramid is a separate generic name
assigned to aromatic polyamides • The fibers are usually produced with
because of their special properties, smooth, round cross-sections
and is sub-divided into the sub-
generics meta-aramids and para-
• Nomex is also produced with a rectangular
aramids according to the position of
joining the aromatic rings relative to
cross-section
one another

META-ARAMIDS

• When the amide linkages are

located in the ‘meta’ position (not
across from each other or adjacent
on the aromatic ring), a zig-zag
polymer backbone is formed

• Meta-aramids are known for their

heat- and chemical resistance

• Nomex® (the first meta-aramid

developed) is a normal tenacity
meta-aramid and is both flame and
heat resistant

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PARA-ARAMIDS

• When the amide linkages are located directly

across from each other on the aromatic ring,
on the so-called ‘para’ position, a rod-like or
straight polymer is formed

• Kevlar® aramid, a product of the Du Pont

Nomex (meta-aramid) is poly(meta-phenylene isophthalamide)
Company, was first manufactured in 1965, but
only introduced to the consumer market in
1973

• Kevlar® is the best-known trademark name

• It is used in safety and protective clothing such

as gloves for cut protection, for body armour
(bullet-proof vests) and fire fighters’ coats. It is
also used for cables, coverings (protection of
optical fibers) and reinforcement (bodies of
yachts, aircraft, in bridge reinforcement)

• This is a very strong lightweight fiber

Kevlar (para-aramid) is poly(para-phenylene terephthalamide)

SUMMARY OF ARAMID
• The fibers are highly crystalline, PROPERTIES
and very strong
• Aramids have a high degree
• The regular structure of the of orientation, a characteristic
molecules allows the development that dominates their
of a high degree of crystallinity, properties
while the manufacturing process
results in a high degree of GENERAL PROPERTIES
orientation
• Good resistance to abrasion
• In addition, hydrogen bonding • Good resistance to organic
promotes inter-polymer attraction solvents
and higher strength • Non-conductive
Hydrogen bonding between amide groups of
• No melting point, degradation
adjacent polymers leads to strong, dense
crystals. The shaded rectangles are the • In addition to providing high starts from 500°C
aromatic rings seen on edge. This strength, the aromatic rings are • Low flammability
configuration enables excellent alignment more stable than linear • Good fabric integrity at
and the stable aromatic rings, together with arrangements of atoms, allowing elevated temperatures
the hydrogen bonds provide the very dense these fibers to resist destruction by • Sensitive to acids and salts
crystals heat • Sensitive to UV-radiation
• Prone to static build-up unless
finished

ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES OF PARA-ARAMIDS

• Fibers such as Kevlar & Twaron, provide outstanding strength-to-weight properties

• High Young’s modulus (stiffness)
• High tenacity
• Low creep
• Low elongation at break
• Difficult to dye – usually solution dyed

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