poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)
ChemistryNomex is specified as poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide). Density band ~1.38 g/cm³.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength60
Heat resistance88
Fire performance94
Insulation48
Workability62
Circularity36
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Nomex non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: inherently FR textile. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Nomex insulate?
Thermal mark 48/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low (fibre); papers electrically insulating.
What is the density band?
~1.38 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: DuPont 1960s (United States).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 36/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
does not melt; decomposes ~400 °C+
heat 88 · fire 94
What holds Nomex together is not the nickname. Formula poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide), density ~1.38 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 Nomex 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
VariantsNomex 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
Strength60
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope88
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour94
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation48
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability62
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity36
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
Nomex fibre IIIA
Blended garments.Blended garments.
Nomex paper T410
Electrical.Electrical.
Honeycomb
Aero interiors.Aero interiors.
Needled felt
Hot-gas filtration.Hot-gas filtration.
Knit underwear
Motorsport.Motorsport.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Nomex holds together by ionic/covalent networks.
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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