Aramid Fabric

Aramid textiles are a family of synthetic fibre products with similar properties. In particular they have high strength, high abrasion resistance and heat resistance. Aramid is short for ‘aromatic polyamide’, and it’s the way the individual molecules are linked together which defines the characteristics and name of the fibres.

Woven Aramid Fabric

The two main types of aramid are ‘Para-Aramid’ woven fabric and ‘Meta-Aramid’, these fibres are better known by several different brand names, mainly:

Generic fibre name	Brand name	Brand name
Para-Aramid	Kevlar®	Twaron®
Meta-Aramid	Nomex®	Conex®

THS produces finished products from both woven aramid fibres, for a wide variety of applications.

As with the rest of the range of textiles Para-Aramid and Meta-Aramid can be further processed with a variety of coatings and treatments to enhance performance.

Meta-Aramid Loomstate

Loomstate meta-aramid is a woven meta-aramid in its basic and unfinished state, as the name suggests, the state it is in from the loom. It is mainly recognised by its trade names Nomex ® and Conex ®.Meta-aramids can be further processed into coated, dipped and laminated products.  Please contact us with your specific requirements.

Para-Aramid Loomstate

Loomstate para-aramid is a woven para-aramid in its basic and unfinished state, as the name suggests. It is recognised mainly by its trade names Kevlar® and Twaron®.

Unlike glass fibre, para-aramids are sold more regularly as a loomstate to customers, utilised for its high mechanical strength and durability in its raw form. However, it is possible to coat para-aramid fabrics with any of the treatments which can be applied to glass and silica including:

• Dipped Treatments
• Laminated
• Heat Treated & Caramelised
• Polymer Coatings

In some cases, para-aramid fabrics require further adhesion promotion, this is possible through a dip treatment, i.e. washing or scouring, this process makes the bond between the para-aramid and the additional treatment or polymer stronger, such as silicone.

Some applications for para-aramid fabrics include: military, aerospace, marine and automotive, but also flexible compensators and cryogenic jackets.

Para-aramid fabrics are very unique because their tensile strength actually improves in sub-zero conditions, which makes them ideal for cryogenic applications. However, the down side to para-aramids is UV exposure, which could cause dramatic strength loss and potential fabric failure.

Other versions of para-aramid products are available from stock, including threads and stainless-steel reinforced threads.

FAQs

What is Aramid Fabric?

Aramid fabric is a textile woven from synthetic aromatic polyamide (aramid) fibres. The name is a contraction of ‘aromatic polyamide’, and it is the molecular structure of these fibres that gives them their distinctive combination of very high tensile strength, excellent abrasion resistance and thermal stability.

Is Kevlar® an Aramid?

Yes. Kevlar® is a trade name for a para-aramid fibre developed by DuPont. It is one of the most well-known aramid products and is often used as a shorthand for para-aramid fabric, although other brands exist, most notably Twaron® from Teijin.

What is the Difference Between Para-Aramid and Meta-Aramid?

Para-aramid (Kevlar®, Twaron®) and meta-aramid (Nomex®, Conex®) are both aramid fibres, but they are optimised for different performance characteristics. Para-aramid has a rigid, linear molecular chain structure giving it exceptional tensile strength. On a weight-for-weight basis it is approximately five times stronger than steel which makes it ideal for structural, ballistic and mechanical applications.

Meta-aramid has a more flexible, zig-zag, molecular chain structure, resulting in lower tensile strength but superior long-term thermal and flame stability. This makes it the preferred choice for protective clothing and heat-resistant textiles.

What Temperature does Aramid Fabric Withstand?

Temperature performance depends on the type of aramid. Meta-aramid (e.g. Nomex®) is typically rated for continuous use up to 220 – 250°C and maintains flame resistance above this. Para-aramid (e.g. Kevlar®/Twaron®) does not melt and retains most mechanical properties up to around 280°C, with carbonisation not occurring around 380°C.

What is Aramid Fabric Used For?

Aramid fabric is used wherever a combination of strength, heat resistance and low weight is required. Industrial applications include flexible compensators, cryogenic jackets, pipe reinforcement, conveyor belt reinforcement, electrical insulation and high-performance filtration. In protective applications it is used for flame-resistant clothing, ballistic protection and cut-resistant equipment.

Does UV Light Damage Aramid Fabric?

Yes, this is an important consideration for para-aramid (Kevlar®/Twaron®) in particular. Prolonged UV exposure can cause significant loss of tensile strength and potential fabric failure. For any application where para-aramid will be exposed to sunlight or outdoor conditions, appropriate UV protection or shielding should be used. Meta-aramid is less susceptible to UV degradation.

Can Aramid Fabric be Used in Cryogenic Applications?

Yes. Para-aramid (Kevlar®/Twaron®) is well-suited to cryogenic applications because its tensile strength actually increases at sub-zero temperatures, unlike many materials which become brittle in extreme cold. This makes it a valuable material for cryogenic jacket construction and other low-temperature industrial applications.

Can Aramid Fabric be Coated or Treated?

Yes. Both para-aramid and meta-aramid can be processed with coatings and treatments similar to those applied to glass and silica fabrics. In some cases, an adhesion-promotion dip treatment is needed first to ensure a strong bond between the aramid fibres and any applied coating. This is particularly relevant when applying silicone or similar polymer coatings to para-aramid.