Keivlar Research Paper
Kevlar (C14H10N2O2)
Kevlar is used to make many different varieties of clothing, accessories, and equipment to be resistant to cuts. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel and equalling to the same weight. Kevlar is known for its use in ballistics and stab resistance body armour. Kevlar has done its part in heroism by saving the lives of thousands of people around the world.
Kevlar was invented in 1964 in a DuPort Laboratory in Delaware by a chemist named Stephanie Kwolek when she was 41. She earned a Science degree in Chemistry in 1946.
She began work at DuPort research Laboratory where she conducted low-temperature experiments for preparation of polymers for the creation of highly rigid and strong petroleum-based fibres. Kwolek made a solution that caused unstable intermediates from these experiments to bond into long chains. Under these conditions, the polymers formed a cloudy fluid in contrast to the clear and sticky …show more content…
fluid of most polymers. Kwolek spun this cloudy fluid into extremely strong fibres that were eventually patented and marketed in 1971, seven years after it was invented, under the brand name of Kevlar.
Physical Properties of Kevlar are high heat resistance, extreme strength, a density of 1.44g/cm3. The molar mass for Kevlar is 238 grams. Unlike most plastics, Kevlar does not melt; it is good at withstanding temperatures, it decomposes only at around 450oC. Low temperatures have no effect on Kevlar. DuPont found “no embrittlement or degradation” down to -196oC Kevlar can be ignited but the burning usually stops when the heat source is removed.
Like many other plastics, long exposure to sunlight causes discolouration and may cause some degradation of the Kevlar fibres. Kevlar can resist sudden attacks of many different chemicals, but a long exposure to bases or even strong acids will degrade Kevlar over time. The super strong properties of Kevlar are virtually unaffected by moisture when it was tested at the DuPont laboratory under hot water conditions for 200 days. There are two main stages involved in making Kevlar. First you have to produce the basic plastic from which Kevlar is made (a chemical called poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide—no wonder they call it Kevlar). Second, you have to turn it into strong fibres. So the first step is all about chemistry; the second one is about turning your chemical product into a more useful, practical material.
Having been fired into a bullet-resistant vest, a bullet is deformed and leaves an impression in the Kevlar.
Kevlar 's structure consists of relatively rigid molecules, which tend to form sheet-like structures that have similarities to silk proteins.
Kevlar can be used by itself or as part as o composite material to give added strength. It is best known for its use in bullet proof vests and knife proof body armour. It is also used for reinforcement in car tires, car brakes, strings of archery bows, and also in car, boat and aircraft bodies. Kevlar is used in the aircraft Apache AH-64A, this aircraft is used in the battlefield, so taking hits is unavoidable, this basic structure allows the AH-64A to receive hits and still be able to operate.
The crew and vital components are protected by armour composed of bonded boron carbide and Kevlar. When shot at, the Kevlar backing gives and expands to absorb the remaining energy and prevents the shrapnel from entering the aircraft.
Other uses of Kevlar:
Body armour (bulletproof vests,
masks)
“Puncture proof” car tires
Kevlar sails on sailboats (wont tear, not easily punctured, lightweight)
Canoes and kayaks made of mostly Kevlar (light, high impact resistance)
Trampolines
Ice hockey sticks
Flame resistant suits (fire-fighters)
Ropes that secure airbags
Landing gear of planes, space equipment
Shrapnel-resistant shielding in jet aircraft engines to protect passengers if there was an explosion
Gloves that help protect against cuts and slashes
Skis (lightweight, strong)
Fire-fighters with Kevlar suits
Police in a Kevlar vest
Police dog in a Kevlar vest
As you can see, Kevlar is used frequently for protection because of its ability to withstand bullets and heat to a certain extent.
Bibliography: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/kevlar.html http://resource.rockyview.ab.ca/t4t/forensicscience35-3cr/Module2/L1/M2L1P03-Kevlar.html http://www.flightsimbooks.com/gunship/02_2_Structure.php http://www2.dupont.com/personal-protection/en-us/dpt/kevlar.html
https://chempolymerproject.wikispaces.com/Kevlar-E-nydw
Kevlar is used to make many different varieties of clothing, accessories, and equipment to be resistant to cuts. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel and equalling to the same weight. Kevlar is known for its use in ballistics and stab resistance body armour. Kevlar has done its part in heroism by saving the lives of thousands of people around the world.
Kevlar was invented in 1964 in a DuPort Laboratory in Delaware by a chemist named Stephanie Kwolek when she was 41. She earned a Science degree in Chemistry in 1946.
She began work at DuPort research Laboratory where she conducted low-temperature experiments for preparation of polymers for the creation of highly rigid and strong petroleum-based fibres. Kwolek made a solution that caused unstable intermediates from these experiments to bond into long chains. Under these conditions, the polymers formed a cloudy fluid in contrast to the clear and sticky …show more content…
fluid of most polymers. Kwolek spun this cloudy fluid into extremely strong fibres that were eventually patented and marketed in 1971, seven years after it was invented, under the brand name of Kevlar.
Physical Properties of Kevlar are high heat resistance, extreme strength, a density of 1.44g/cm3. The molar mass for Kevlar is 238 grams. Unlike most plastics, Kevlar does not melt; it is good at withstanding temperatures, it decomposes only at around 450oC. Low temperatures have no effect on Kevlar. DuPont found “no embrittlement or degradation” down to -196oC Kevlar can be ignited but the burning usually stops when the heat source is removed.
Like many other plastics, long exposure to sunlight causes discolouration and may cause some degradation of the Kevlar fibres. Kevlar can resist sudden attacks of many different chemicals, but a long exposure to bases or even strong acids will degrade Kevlar over time. The super strong properties of Kevlar are virtually unaffected by moisture when it was tested at the DuPont laboratory under hot water conditions for 200 days. There are two main stages involved in making Kevlar. First you have to produce the basic plastic from which Kevlar is made (a chemical called poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide—no wonder they call it Kevlar). Second, you have to turn it into strong fibres. So the first step is all about chemistry; the second one is about turning your chemical product into a more useful, practical material.
Having been fired into a bullet-resistant vest, a bullet is deformed and leaves an impression in the Kevlar.
Kevlar 's structure consists of relatively rigid molecules, which tend to form sheet-like structures that have similarities to silk proteins.
Kevlar can be used by itself or as part as o composite material to give added strength. It is best known for its use in bullet proof vests and knife proof body armour. It is also used for reinforcement in car tires, car brakes, strings of archery bows, and also in car, boat and aircraft bodies. Kevlar is used in the aircraft Apache AH-64A, this aircraft is used in the battlefield, so taking hits is unavoidable, this basic structure allows the AH-64A to receive hits and still be able to operate.
The crew and vital components are protected by armour composed of bonded boron carbide and Kevlar. When shot at, the Kevlar backing gives and expands to absorb the remaining energy and prevents the shrapnel from entering the aircraft.
Other uses of Kevlar:
Body armour (bulletproof vests,
masks)
“Puncture proof” car tires
Kevlar sails on sailboats (wont tear, not easily punctured, lightweight)
Canoes and kayaks made of mostly Kevlar (light, high impact resistance)
Trampolines
Ice hockey sticks
Flame resistant suits (fire-fighters)
Ropes that secure airbags
Landing gear of planes, space equipment
Shrapnel-resistant shielding in jet aircraft engines to protect passengers if there was an explosion
Gloves that help protect against cuts and slashes
Skis (lightweight, strong)
Fire-fighters with Kevlar suits
Police in a Kevlar vest
Police dog in a Kevlar vest
As you can see, Kevlar is used frequently for protection because of its ability to withstand bullets and heat to a certain extent.
Bibliography: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/kevlar.html http://resource.rockyview.ab.ca/t4t/forensicscience35-3cr/Module2/L1/M2L1P03-Kevlar.html http://www.flightsimbooks.com/gunship/02_2_Structure.php http://www2.dupont.com/personal-protection/en-us/dpt/kevlar.html
https://chempolymerproject.wikispaces.com/Kevlar-E-nydw