What Is Kevlar®? - DuPont

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The high tensile strength-to-weight ratio of Kevlar® has many applications, including ballistic body armor. What is Kevlar®?

Pushing the limits of protection, performance and strength

Created by Stephanie Kwolek, DuPont™ Kevlar® is a heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber with a molecular structure of many inter-chain bonds that make Kevlar® incredibly strong. Best known for its use in ballistic body armor, Kevlar® also has many other applications because of its high tensile strength-to-weight ratio.

Why Kevlar®?

Stephanie Kwolek: stronger than steel

A pioneer in polymer research, Stephanie Kwolek accumulated several patents and awards throughout her career. Most notably, she is known for her groundbreaking work that led to the creation of Kevlar® - an incredibly strong material that continues to push the limits of possible.

The pioneering work of Stephanie Kwolek led to the creation of incredibly strong Kevlar®.

Tensile strength

The chemical structure of Kevlar® is comprised of several repeating inter-chain bonds. These chains are cross-linked with hydrogen bonds, providing a tensile strength can be up to 10X stronger than steel* on an equal weight basis.

*Results may vary as there are multiple types of steel with varying tensile strengths and multiple types of Kevlar® yarn with varying tensile strengths.

The inter-chain bonds of Kevlar® provide tensile strength that’s 10X greater than steel on an equal weight basis.

Ballistic resistance

Kevlar® fibers are so tightly spun that it is nearly impossible to separate them. When a bullet or other high-velocity projectile hits Kevlar®, the fibers essentially catch the projectile while absorbing and dissipating its energy.

Cut & puncture resistance

Due to the fully extended and perfectly aligned molecular chains within Kevlar® fiber, Kevlar® provides a strong protective barrier against slashes, cuts and punctures.

Kevlar® provides a strong protective barrier against slashes, cuts and punctures.

Heat resistance

Kevlar® is inherently flame resistant—protecting against thermal hazards up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, Kevlar® fibers won’t melt, drip or support combustion.

Kevlar® is inherently flame resistant, protecting against thermal hazards up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

Applications

Kevlar® for PPE
Kevlar® for PPE
Aerospace
Aerospace
Automotive
Automotive
Consumer Products
Consumer Products
Mining
Mining
Fiber optics
Fiber optics
Life protection
Life protection
Ropes & cables
Ropes & cables

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