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Kevlar and its Applications

Kevlar and its Applications. Linda Dada & Emily Dreyer Santa Rosa Junior College SRJC, Engr 45, Fall 2010. Development. 1964- Stephanie Kwolek and her colleagues at DuPont began searching for a new lightweight strong fiber for light, strong tires

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Kevlar and its Applications

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  1. Kevlar and its Applications • Linda Dada & Emily Dreyer • Santa Rosa Junior College • SRJC, Engr 45, Fall 2010

  2. Development • 1964- Stephanie Kwolek and her colleagues at DuPont began searching for a new lightweight strong fiber for light, strong tires • 1965- discovery of new method of producing polymer chains • 1971- high strength Kevlar® (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide) introduced by DuPont

  3. Structure • The molecular structure includes a Benzene ring which allowed formation of structures on the ring • Alignment of the chains allows Kevlar to be integrated into composite materials • The molecules layer themselves in such a way that in order to break through Kevlar, the molecular bonds have to be broken

  4. Images Steel Kevlar fibers

  5. Failure Ruptured fibers “string-cheese” failure

  6. Properties • High modulus • High tensile strength at low weight • Low electrical conductivity • High chemical resistance • Low thermal shrinkage • High toughness • High cut resistance • Flame resistant/self extinguishing • Immune to electron radiation

  7. UV Light • Causes discoloration and degradation of the Kevlar in the presence of oxygen • Not influenced by moisture or atmospheric contaminants • Damaging if the wave is absorbed by the polymer • SOLUTION: It’s coated with something UV resistant (absorbant)

  8. Applications in Military • Vehicle Armor • Spall Liners • Also protects aircraft and helicopter crews • Military Helmets • Absorb 20% more kinetic energy for Ground Troops • Improve mobility and fatigue of GIs because of low weight • Body Armor • Improved Outer Tactical Vest, ballistic inserts, throat and groin protectors, anti-mine boots and chaps

  9. General Applications • Ropes and cables • Auto hoses and belts • Composite materials • Tires • Fiber optic cables • Sporting goods • Umbilical hoses on offshore oil and gas • refineries • Insulation

  10. Transportation • Aircraft • Maritime vessels

  11. Space Applications • In the Mars Pathfinder to reinforce the inflatable landing cushions and securing ropes > survived 40 million mile journey • Space shuttle and communications satellites to protect against impacts from orbital debris • Hubble Telescope!

  12. Space Station • Used in modules of the International Space Station (ISS) to protect from micrometeorites and orbital debris • Helps protect crew from radiation • Basic layout of module wall: 1. metal, 2. Kevlar, 3. main structure (pressure shell), 4. thermal insulation

  13. Why use Kevlar to protect the ISS? • Lightweight • Low thermal expansion • Resilient • Woven fibers are strong and flexible • Flexibility absorbs shock from impacts

  14. Everyday Kevlar • Fire Resistant Mattresses • Personal Electronics • Sports • Boarding/Skiing • Baseball • Hiking

  15. KEVLAR UNDERWEAR!! • Used in the military • Reinforced in places that cover big arteries Image: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/10/29/kevlar-reinforced-underwear/

  16. Thanks for your attention! Questions? Your classmates, Linda & Em

  17. Works Cited • http://www2.dupont.com/Kevlar/en_US/ • http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/Kevlar/index.html • www.nasa.gov/ • http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery

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