Aromatic polyamide pulps and filaments — ballistic packs, hot-gas filtration and asbestos replacement.
Also called: para-aramid · Kevlar · Twaron
Aramid is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under textiles: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Aramid with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Aramid (PPTA (para) / meta-aramid cousin Nomex) is a family of grades whose density ~1.44 g/cm³, heat band does not melt; decomposes ~500 °C, and fire letter inherently FR vs commodity PA.
Aramid is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry PPTA (para) / meta-aramid cousin Nomex, density ~1.44 g/cm³, heat band does not melt; decomposes ~500 °C.
This atlas treats Aramid as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: low radial; fibre anisotropic. Insulation score 36/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: inherently FR vs commodity PA. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: DuPont 1965 Kwolek, United States. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: nomex.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 38/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
United States · 1965
Stephanie Kwolek is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
United States · 1970s–
Kevlar vest is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Netherlands / JP · 1978–
Twaron is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Global · 1980s–
F1 fuel tank is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Global · 1990s–
Sailing cables is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Global · 1980s–
Hot-gas filter bag is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Global · 1990s–
Brake pulp is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
Global · 2000s–
Helmet shell hybrid is a reference point in the public image of Aramid.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
High specific strength and chloride-tolerant films — airframes, implants and seawater.
Overall 58 💎Crystalline oxides and carbides for heat, wear and electronics — not the mug on the desk.
Overall 64 🏎️Polymer-derived filaments with graphite-like sheets — aero, bikes and a fire story that is about the resin, not the fibre.
Overall 49 🏗️The hydraulic ceramic of cities — cement, water, rock and usually steel, with a fire story better than exposed steel.
Overall 57Seed-hair cellulose that dressed the industrial revolution — still the comfort fibre of daily wear.
Overall 44 🐑Crimped keratin that traps still air — suiting, carpets and a quietly decent fire story among apparel fibres.
Overall 53 🦋A kilometre-class animal filament — luxury cloth, sutures and a template for bio-inspired fibres.
Overall 41 🎽The dominant apparel polymer — bottle-grade PET spun into staple that dries fast and sheds microfibres.
Overall 49 🪢Carothers’ polyamide — stockings, tyre cord, climbing rope and a melt-drip fire personality.
Overall 48