Aramid Fiber: Excellent Material for Bulletproof Equipment

In the field of bulletproof equipment manufacturing, aramid fiber, whose full name is aromatic polyamide fiber (Aramid fiber), has become the preferred material for manufacturing high-performance ballistic gear with its excellent physical and chemical properties.

Basic characteristics of aramid fiber

Aramid fiber is a linear polymer composed of aromatic groups and amide groups, with excellent mechanical properties, stable chemical structure and ideal mechanical properties.

Ultra-high strength and high modulus: The strength of aramid fiber far exceeds that of ordinary fibers, such as steel, glass fiber and high-strength nylon industrial yarn. Its strength is 5 to 6 times that of high-quality steel, and its modulus is 2 to 3 times that of steel or glass fiber. This high strength and high modulus make aramid fiber perform well when subjected to impact.

High temperature resistance and acid and alkali resistance: Aramid fiber has excellent high temperature resistance, and the continuous use temperature range can reach -196 to 204°C. It does not decompose or melt at a high temperature of 560°C. At the same time, it also has good acid and alkali resistance and can maintain stability in various harsh environments.

Lightweight and insulation: Aramid fiber has a low density and weighs only about 1/5 of steel wire, but its strength is much higher than that of steel wire. In addition, it has good insulation and anti-aging properties, which can extend the service life of the product.

Flame retardant and non toxic: The flame retardant properties of aramid fiber are particularly outstanding. Its limiting oxygen index (LOI) is greater than 28. It will not continue to burn after leaving the flame, and no toxic gas is produced during the combustion process. It is a permanent flame retardant fiber.

Types of aramid fiber

According to the chemical structure, aramid fiber can be divided into two categories: para-aramid and meta aramid.

Para-aramid: More than 85% of the amide bonds in the molecular chain are directly bonded to the aromatic ring to form a linear polymer. It has ultra-high strength, high modulus and excellent high temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and is widely used in bulletproof equipment, aerospace, automobiles and other fields.

Meta-aramid: The fiber molecule is composed of meta-phenyl groups connected to each other by amide groups, and the molecular chain is linear and serrated. It has good flame retardancy, thermal stability and radiation resistance, and is suitable for making heat-insulating flame-retardant protective clothing, etc.

Application of aramid fiber in bulletproof equipment

Aramid fiber is widely used in the field of bulletproof equipment due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. The specific performance is as follows:

Bulletproof vests and helmets: Bulletproof vests and helmets made of aramid fiber are not only light in weight and small in size, but also have significantly improved bulletproof performance. For example, soft bulletproof vests made of high-grade bulletproof aramid non-woven fabric and high-performance polyethylene film have better bulletproof performance and heat resistance than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber.

Bulletproof shields and armor plates: Aramid fiber can be compounded with other materials (such as metals, ceramics, etc.) to make various high-strength, impact-resistant explosion-proof tanks, bulletproof shields and bulletproof armor plates. These equipment play an important role in military and police fields.