Para aramid staple fiber is highly resistant to heat and flame, while also providing excellent strength. It can withstand temperatures of up to 220° C for more than 10 years and up to 240° C for 1000 hours. Available in different lengths and densities, it is suitable for spinning and non-woven processes. Its applications include engineering plastics, friction materials, reinforcing materials, and lightweight composite materials for various industries.
Aramid fibers, such as Kevlar, typically have a tensile strength of around 2,600-4,300 MPa, significantly higher than fiberglass (2,000-3,500 MPa) and carbon fiber (2,500-6,000 MPa). However, carbon fiber can exceed aramid in some forms. The specific tensile strength can be up to five times greater than that of steel, making aramid fibers ideal for ballistic protection and armor applications.
Aramid fibers demonstrate thermal stability and retain their mechanical properties at temperatures up to around 500° C (~932° F). In contrast, materials like nylon and polyester begin to degrade at much lower temperatures. They do not melt but will begin to decompose at approximately 500° C, while carbon fibers maintain strength up to 2,500° C in inert environments.
Aramid materials, including Nomex and Kevlar, have excellent resistance to a wide range of corrosive substances. They perform better than nylon and polyesters when exposed to harsh chemicals. They are, however, sensitive to strong acids and some solvents. This is in contrast to PTFE fibers like Teflon, which have an almost universal chemical resistance.
The density of aramid fiber like Kevlar is typically around 1.44 g/cm³, which is lighter than carbon fiber (around 1.5-2.0 g/cm³) and fiberglass (about 2.5g/cm³). Aramid's high strength-to-weight ratio makes it particularly useful for applications where maximizing strength and minimizing weight is essential, such as in body armor, aerospace structures, and sports equipment.
| Density(g/cm3) | Color | Fiber Length(mm) | Tensile strength(cN/dtex) | Weight(kg/bag) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.47 | Yellow/Black | 38 | 19.4-21 | 100 |