Kevlar

By: Brianna Flores

MEEN 3344

What is Kevlar?

• Manmade organic fibers were created in 1965 by two research scientist, Stephanie Kwolek and Herbert Blades from DuPont.

• Has 5 times the strength-to-weight ratio of Steel.

Structure

• Crystalline polymers• Consists of long molecular

chains from five to a million mers bonded together

• Each segment is a chemical unit that contains 14 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms.

Properties• Low thermal shrinkage• Lightweight• Flexible• Comfortable• Low electrical conductivity• High toughness• High cut-resistance• High chemical resistance• Flame resistance

Uses

• Bulletproof vest• Sports equipment• Automotive parts• Tires• Fiber-Optic and

Electromechanical Cables• Industrial and Marine

Utility Ropes • Fire resistant mattress

material

References

• http://www.infinitycomposites.com/cgi-bin/infinitydb.pl?catcarkev

• http://www.dupont.com/kevlar/whatiskevlar.html