Aramid

On a weight and density comparison, aramid is the strongest mass-produced fiber commercially available in relatively large quantities. 

Poly-para-Phenylene Terephthalamide (para-Aramld) 

After polymerization, the aramid fibers are commonly made from spinning in a polymer solvent of 100% water-free sulfuric acid under very specially controlled conditions. 

Aramid pora-Aramid Aromatic polyamide Poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide Aromatic nylon 

No formal classification system is available. However, many different grades of ara-mid fibers are rated by their density (g/cm ), percent elongation, modulus (GPa), and tenacity (breaking strength/denier). 

Another class of fibers that finds application in tires is the aramids. Kevlar is the trade name of the polymer that has found most extensive use among the aramids. Aramid is like nylon in that it contains the amide bond—(CO-NH)—but is produced by copolymerizing terephthalic acid used in polyester and p-phenylenediamine. Hence this aromatic polyamide is termed aramid. 

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Nomex is another aramid fiber Kevlar and Nomex differ only in that the substitution pattern in the aromatic rings is para in Kevlar but meta in Nomex Nomex is best known for its fire resistant properties and is used in protective clothing for fire fighters astronauts and race car drivers... 

Aromatic nylons, [—NH—C5H4—CO—] (also called aramids), have specialty uses because of their improved clarity. 

Nylon 6/9, molding and extrusion Nylon 6/12 Nylon 11, molding and extrusion Nylon 12, molding and extrusion Aromatic nylon (aramid), molded and unfilled ... 

Fig. 17. Distribution of U.S. synthetic fiber consumption A, acryUc I, olefin +, nylon and aramid A, polyester (71,72).

Fine adjusting and optimization of each step of this process is stiU underway, and a PVA fiber having a single fiber strength as high as 2 N/tex (21 gf/dtex), which is close to that of aramid fiber, has been reported (18). 

Rigid-rod polymers are often Hquid crystalline polymers classified as lyotropic, such as the aramids Nomex and Kevlar, or thermotropic Hquid crystalline polymers, such as Vectran. 

Properties. As prepared, the polymer is not soluble in any known solvents below 200°C and has limited solubiUty in selected aromatics, halogenated aromatics, and heterocycHc Hquids above this temperature. The properties of Ryton staple fibers are in the range of most textile fibers and not in the range of the high tenacity or high modulus fibers such as the aramids. The density of the fiber is 1.37 g/cm which is about the same as polyester. However, its melting temperature of 285°C is intermediate between most common melt spun fibers (230—260°C) and Vectran thermotropic fiber (330°C). PPS fibers have a 7 of 83°C and a crystallinity of about 60%. 

Chemically Resistant Fibers. Fibers with exceUent chemical resistance to corrosive and/or chemical warfare agents or extreme pH conditions (eg, very acidic or very alkaline) were initially used for protective clothing. However, appHcations for filtration of gases and Hquids in numerous industrial faciHties are now the more important. For example, PPS is suitable for use in filter fabrics for coal-fired boilers because of its outstanding chemical and heat resistance to acidic flue gases and its exceUent durabUity under these end use conditions. Many high tenacity fibers are also chemically inert or relatively unaffected under a variety of conditions. Aramids, gel spun polyethylene, polypropylene, fluorocarbon, and carbon fibers meet these criteria and have been used or are being considered for appHcations where chemical resistance is important. 

In addition to carbon and glass fibers ia composites, aramid and polyimide fibers are also used ia conjunction with epoxy resias. Safety requirements by the U.S. Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) have led to the development of flame- and heat-resistant seals and stmctural components ia civiUan aircraft cabias. Wool blend fabrics containing aramids, poly(phenylene sulfide), EDF, and other inherently flame-resistant fibers and fabrics containing only these highly heat- and flame-resistant fibers are the types most frequently used ia these appHcations. 

Composites. The history of phenoHc resin composites goes back to the early development of phenoHc materials, when wood flour, minerals, and colorants were combined with phenoHc resins to produce mol ding compounds. In later appHcations, resin varnishes were developed for kraft paper and textile fabrics to make decorative and industrial laminates. Although phenoHcs have been well characterized in glass-reinforced composites, new developments continue in this area, such as new systems for Hquid-injection molding (LIM) and sheet-molding compounds (SMC). More compHcated composite systems are based on aramid and graphite fibers. 

Cydohexanedimethanol can be the comonomer. TerephthaHc acid can also be the diacid in specialty nylons (see Polyamides). Specialty fibers, including certain high modulus aramid fibers, are made from terephthaHc acid—dimethyl terephthalate derivatives. 

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