Aramid

heat-resistant and strong aromatic polyamide
(Redirected from Kevlar)

Aramids are polymers. The name stands for aromatic polyamide. Structurally aramids are similar to proteins.

Overview

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Stephanie Kwolek developed aramids at DuPont in 1965. DuPont uses the trade name Kevlar for them.


Aramids are very present in security helmets, in splinter-resistant glass, in Ballistic vests. They are used as a replacement for asbestos as a building material, for gaskets and other sealings, but also as helpers to make sails, parachutes and similar tools.

Chemistry

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Aramids are a condensation polymer made from aromatic compounds connected by amide functional groups. The usual ingredients used to make aramids are an aromatic diamine and aromatic diacyl chloride, such as p-phenylenediamine and terephthaloyl chloride.