Why Aramid Fibers Are an Excellent Choice in Many Protective Fabric Applications

Origin and use of aramid fiber
Aramid, or "aramid" in full writing, was introduced in the early 1960s. Companies started to use polyamides for commercial applications by synthesizing them.

These aramids consist of two types, para-aramid and meta-aramid. Para-aramids were originally designed for warfare purposes, as they are used in high-tech applications in aerospace and military. They have up to 7 times the tensile strength of steel at the same weight. A well-known para-aramid variant is Kevlar®, which is commonly used in ballistic body armor.

Another type of aramid, called meta-aramid, is known for its excellent heat and flame resistance. As an industrial safety expert, you've probably heard of meta-aramid at some point. Nomex® is a well known meta-aramid used in firefighting and protective clothing in the industrial sector.

Today, aramids are commonly used in the petrochemical industry because of their good chemical resistance. However, flame retardant treated solutions are more common than aramid fibers in the metal and steel industry. This is mainly due to price differences and the fact that flame retardant treated solutions offer good enough protection for the industry.

The Power of Aramid Fibers
While newer alternatives are available, aramids are still used in many applications. They have many advantages, which we can summarize as follows:

Excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy: the flame retardancy and heat resistance are very good. Aramid fibers will not melt or ignite under normal oxygen levels and their melting point can be as high as >500 °C.

High chemical resistance: Since aramid fibers are 100% synthetic, aramid fibers are better resistant to risks such as flashovers and chemical splashes.

Low Molecular Weight: This fiber is stronger than products like cotton blends. This means that fabrics composed of aramid fibers can be very lightweight and still provide a high level of protection.

As you can see, Kevlar offers a high level of protection in specific situations. It's critical for you to understand whether you need this level of protection or if it might be too much for your specific needs. If so, there are other options available.