Future of aramid fiber composites as a general engineering material.

Abstract

The discovery of liquid crystalline solutions of extended chain aromatic polyamides led to a new family of high performance organic fibers with a unique combination of engineering properties. This paper focuses on the para-aramid, poly p-phenyleneterephthalamide, its basic structure/property relationships, its engineering properties, and applications in fiber-reinforced composites. Para-aramid tech-nology will continue to advance toward achieving fiber tensile properties closer to theoretical. New systems engineering design options will be possible in the future spectrum of composite applications. In aircraft, composite design will become more sophisticated and emphasize para-aramid damage tolerance and crashworthiness for primary structures in addition to strength and stiffness. Hence, the knowledge base will broaden for hybrids of para-aramid and carbon fiber. As aircraft composite technology advances, it will be applied to redesign of automotive parts. In communications, para-aramids will provide lightweight flexible support structures for fiber optical cables and help meet high circuit density needs for printed wiring board composites. Para-aramid engineered short fibers will continue to replace asbestos composites in a range of applications. As the world moves to more lightweight, energy efficient structures and devices, the possibilities are large for the future of aramid fiber composites as a general engineering material.