Kevlar 101: What Is It And What Are The Benefits?

The Beginning: The History of Kevlar
Kevlar was invented by chemist Stephanie Kwolek in 1965 while working at DuPont. In 1964, in anticipation of a possible gasoline shortage, she began working with a team to come up with a lightweight solution for tires that would still be strong and durable. However, it did not come into commercial use until the 1970s, when it began to be used to replace steel in racing tires.

So what is Kevlar material?
At its core, Kevlar is an extremely lightweight yet strong synthetic polymer that is woven into a material that is five times stronger than steel for the same weight. Kevlar fiber has incredibly high tensile strength, 8 times stronger than steel wire.

Once it is made into fiber form, it is made into threads that can be woven into fabric or other materials. This is how it is woven into body armor and bulletproof vests.

An important thing to note about Kevlar is that it is not waterproof and cannot be placed in direct sunlight. If this happens, the fiber will lose density and cause it to be significantly less efficient. This is why you mostly see Kevlar used as the lining or core of a product.

The great thing about Kevlar is that it is inherently strong and can become even stronger by combining it with other composite materials.

Now that you know what it is, let’s talk about how to use it and benefit from it.

How do you use it?
The most common use of Kevlar is in bulletproof vests and body armor. There are two reasons for this.

First, the lightweight nature of Kevlar allows police, bodyguards, and military personnel to move quickly and freely without worrying about the bulk of armor. Second, Kevlar’s near-invulnerability means that the people who serve and protect us every day are also thoroughly protected.

What you may not know is that Kevlar is actually used in items you use every day.

Sports Equipment
For all the ski enthusiasts out there, Kevlar is used as the core material for skis and snowboards. The combination of lightweight and extremely strong makes your ski or snowboard much less likely to break in a crash. It also provides greater tension and wiggle room when carving slopes.

Another use for Kevlar is in the inner lining of bicycle tires. Not only will this help prevent holes in your tires, it will also extend the life of your tires, thereby extending their lifespan.

What may surprise some people is that Kevlar is also used on the inside of table tennis rackets. You read it correctly. Your everyday table tennis paddle can be lined with Kevlar.

The reason for this is that it allows the ball to bounce further than a traditional wooden paddle. This is also a great topic for parties.

"Hey partygoers! Want to play ping pong with my new Kevlar lace-up paddle?" You just became the coolest person at the party!

Even your favorite shoe companies are starting to incorporate Kevlar into their products. In 2013, Lebron James wanted a better shoe for the playoffs. So he went to Nike, where the Elite Series shoes are made from materials like carbon fiber and, you guessed it, Kevlar.

technology
Believe it or not, even your phone may contain Kevlar. Phone companies now use Kevlar in their back panels. This helps protect your phone's inner workings in case it's dropped or damaged.

musical instrument
Another use for Kevlar is in drum heads. Anyone who has ever seen a live rock show knows how hard those drummers hit their various pieces. Kevlar fiber allows the drum head to withstand the continuous and intense impact of drumming.

Manufacturing and production
Kevlar also has applications in industrial settings. It is already used to produce hoses, belts, and other materials that could benefit from some extra reinforcement.

One of the growing areas of application for Kevlar is protective clothing for construction workers, construction workers, etc. It is now woven into gear such as boots and gloves. The strength of Kevlar greatly helps reduce cuts and scratches as well as damage if it falls on you.

car
Now it's time to expand. In fact, Kevlar has important uses in many modes of transportation. It is used in the manufacture of aircraft parts, car parts and other vehicles such as helicopters, especially in the military.

But it’s not just military vehicles that are starting to use Kevlar. It is now used to replace asbestos in brake pads. Asbestos can be very toxic and dangerous, and Kevlar is a great alternative.

Kevlar: More than meets the eye
As you can see, Kevlar isn't just found in military armor and equipment. It's used in everything from the mundane to the insane. From airplanes to tennis shoes, Kevlar is changing the way things are made.