KEVLAR^®

The first thing people think of when they hear KEVLAR^® is bulletproof vests. While KEVLAR is used in the production of bulletproof vests and other types of body armor, the KEVLAR fabric we sell is for use in composites that reinforce products like kayaks and snowboards.

In fact, KEVLAR fabrics are so common, that they are in many of the products you use every day. Let us take a closer look at KEVLAR, its applications, the pros and cons of its use, and the KEVLAR fabric products we offer.

What Is KEVLAR?

Simply put, KEVLAR is a plastic that is incredibly strong. In this case, KEVLAR is a synthetic plastic made by polymerization, a process which joins together long chain molecules. KEVLAR's strength comes from its internal structure and the fact that its fibers are tightly knitted together.

One of the first uses of KEVLAR was when it was used to replace steel in racing tires. It wasn't long before companies realized that this lightweight and strong material could be used in a number of other products as well.

KEVLAR is a synthetic polymer that is weaved into a material. It is lightweight and stronger than steel. It also has high tensile strength, meaning it can withstand incredible stress while being pulled or stretched before breaking. As strong as KEVLAR already is, it is even stronger when combined with other composite materials.

It's a good idea to know the difference between Kevlar 29 and Kevlar 49. Kevlar 29 is industrial and ballistics grade and it's the type that is commonly used in bulletproof vests. Fibre Glast products are composed of Kevlar 49 which is composite grade. It's used as a composite reinforcement for various products.

Composites are fiber dominant. The three most common composite reinforcements are fiberglass, carbon fiber, and KEVLAR. All three have their advantages: fiberglass is an all-purpose choice, carbon fiber has high stiffness, and KEVLAR has high abrasion resistance.

KEVLAR reinforcements are accepted industry wide as being lightweight with high tensile strength. It is impact and abrasion resistant and offers unparalleled reinforcement strength for various applications.

What Are KEVLAR's Applications?

Kevlar is light weight and has superior strength. KEVLAR material can be used with epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester resins to create a rigid laminate. The strength created makes it common in many applications including:

• Boating: KEVLAR is lightweight and can stand high impacts. This makes it an excellent choice for boat hulls which have to take impacts and endure twisting forces. The fact that it is lightweight makes it faster on the water. You can find it used in kayaks, canoes, high speed boats, and other watercraft.
• Aerospace: It is commonly used in aircraft bodies.
• Automotive: Just as it was first used as a replacement for steel in tires, it is still used as a reinforcement.
• Sports: It is customary for surfboards and snowboards to use a Kevlar composite as their cores.

What Are KEVLAR's Pros and Cons?

While the pros of KEVLAR far outweigh the cons, it is good to look at both:

Pros

• Lightweight with excellent specific tensile strength
• Impact and abrasion-resistant
• Easy to repair and repairs last a long time
• Withstands very high and very low temperatures with little to no negative effects

Cons

• It has poor compressive strength. In other words, it does not take well to squashing or squeezing. That's why KEVLAR is not used as a building material where compressive forces are common.
• Long exposure to sunlight can cause some negative effects in the fabric. That is why it is commonly used as an inner lining or as the core of a product.

What KEVLAR brand aramid products does Fiber Glast Offer?

Fibre Glast proudly carries Kevlar 49 fabrics. These products are developed specifically for composite reinforcement.

Twill Weave Fabric

This fabric is perfect for situations that require light weight and good tensile strength. It also offers high impact resistance.

Plain Weave Fabric

One of our most popular products, it offers stiffness, light weight, and high abrasion resistance.

Tape

KEVLAR tape is ideal for repairs. It is a plain weave pattern that matches our plain weave fabric. The tape can also be used for reinforcement.

Biaxial Sleeve

Kevlar sleeves easily slide over cylinders to create straight or tapered tubing. The sleeves completely conform to the shape of the product.

Hybrid

Our hybrid combines KEVLAR and carbon giving you the benefits of both materials in one product, including high conformability, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance.

Kevlar and Hybrid Sample Pack

The sample pack combines all our Kevlar and hybrid fabrics. It is a great way to determine which material you need for your application.

Why Fibre Glast?

With over 65 years of experience in the industry, Fibre Glast is committed to helping our customers and adjusting to their needs. We also offer the largest and most comprehensive catalog of top-quality composite materials and supplies in the industry. Fibre Glast has an ISO-certified management system assuring that our products meet the highest quality specifications.

We are dedicated to delivering superior products that help our customers to succeed. Order your Kevlar composite products by 2:30 ET for same-day shipping. Call us at (800) 838-8984 or make an express order online to get your Kevlar products and experience our commitment to you.

Want to learn more about KEVLAR fabrics? Fibre Glast has a free Learning Center with helpful white papers. You can learn more about KEVLAR® Fabrics with free white papers like: About Reinforcements and Fiberglass Repair/Composite Repair, or learn the difference between KEVLAR® 49 and KEVLAR® 29 with Fibre Glast's Blog post: KEVLAR®: Composites Grade vs. Ballistics Grade.

KEVLAR® Fabric is made with genuine DuPont™ KEVLAR® fiber. DuPont™ and KEVLAR® are registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and are used with permission.