Aramid

Aramids are polymers. The name stands for aromatic polyamide. Structurally aramids are similar to proteins.

Overview

Stephanie Kwolek developed aramids at DuPont in 1965. DuPont uses the trade name Kevlar for them.

Aramids are very present in security helmets, in splinter-resistant glass, in Ballistic vests. They are used as a replacement for asbestos as a building material, for gaskets and other sealings, but also as helpers to make sails, parachutes and similar tools.

Chemistry

Aramids are a condensation polymer made from aromatic compounds connected by amide functional groups. The usual ingredients used to make aramids are an aromatic diamine and aromatic diacyl chloride, such as p-phenylenediamine and terephthaloyl chloride.