PPTA (para) / meta-aramid cousin Nomex
ChemistryAramid is specified as PPTA (para) / meta-aramid cousin Nomex. Density band ~1.44 g/cm³.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength94
Heat resistance82
Fire performance80
Insulation36
Workability40
Circularity38
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Aramid non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: inherently FR vs commodity PA. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Aramid insulate?
Thermal mark 36/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low radial; fibre anisotropic.
What is the density band?
~1.44 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: DuPont 1965 Kwolek (United States).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 38/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
does not melt; decomposes ~500 °C
heat 82 · fire 80
What holds Aramid together is not the nickname. Formula PPTA (para) / meta-aramid cousin Nomex, density ~1.44 g/cm³.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Aramid can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsAramid is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength94
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope82
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour80
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation36
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability40
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity38
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
Kevlar 29
Ballistic toughness.Ballistic toughness.
Kevlar 49
High modulus composites.High modulus composites.
Twaron 1000/1055
European equivalents.European equivalents.
Technora
Copolymer, better hydrolysis.Copolymer, better hydrolysis.
Pulp
Friction and gaskets.Friction and gaskets.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Aramid holds together by covalent chain chemistry.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
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