Kevlar® vs Nomex®: Aramid Comparison

nomex vs kevlar on a test dummy

Kevlar® vs Nomex®

Of all the high-performance fibers used to manufacture specialty fabrics, the name Kevlar® is likely the most recognized by textile insiders and laypersons as well.  

Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont® in 1965, Kevlar is an extremely strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, first used commercially in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel reinforcement in racing tires – though many associate the name with its ballistic protection applications, as with bullet-proof protective gear. 

Another of DuPont’s® versatile and widely used performance fibers/brands is Nomex®.  Developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967, Nomex® was based on the discoveries of DuPont® scientist Wilfred Sweeny. As with Kevlar®, Nomex® has several key characteristics that make it an excellent and popular choice for numerous personal-protection equipment and clothing applications.

Both Kevlar® and Nomex® are examples of aramid fibers; however, while Nomex® is an example of a meta variant of the aramids, Kevlar is of the para-aramid variety.  Unlike Kevlar, Nomex strands cannot align during filament polymerization and have less strength: its ultimate tensile strength is 340 MPa (megapascal), whereas Kevlar is 3.620 MPa. However, it has excellent thermal, chemical, and arc-flash resistance for a polymer material.

Aramids

Aramid (aromatic + amide) is a polymer material which has many amide bonds as repeating units. Therefore, we can categorize it as a polyamide. It has at least 85% of its amide bonds attached with aromatic rings. There are two main types of aramids, categorized as meta-aramid, and para-aramid and each of these two groups have different properties relating to their structures.

Kevlar® is an example of a para-aramid fiber, while Nomex® is considered meta-aramid. The key difference between meta and para-aramid is that meta-aramid has as semi-crystalline molecular structure, whereas para-aramid is crystalline.

Para Aramids (Kevlar®)

Para aramids – such as Kevlar® – a type of polyamide, are produced and known for their high strength and excellent heat/flame resistance. The production method for this material is dry-jet wet spinning and comes as either spun, or continuous filaments.

Meta Aramids (Nomex®)

Meta aramids – like Nomex® – are also a variety of polyamide having high heat/flame resistance.  Generally, this material is manufactured via wet spinning.  Other important performance features of meta-aramids are abrasion resistance and resistance towards chemical degradation. 

As with para-aramids, there are two different forms of meta-aramid fibers – spun and continuous filament.  The spun form is useful in the manufacture of clothing and other sewing applications, due to its softer “hand” (feel/touch), while the continuous form is useful in reinforcement applications.

Primary Differences Between Meta and Para-aramid Yarns

Meta-aramids, as Nomex®, are known for their temperature, chemical (though this can vary with specific substances), and abrasion resistance.  They have a tenacity of about 5.6g/den (grams /denier) and can withstand stress during fire exposure and high temperatures.

Para-aramids, like Kevlar®, have incredible tensile strength.  This is due to the higher degree of crystallinity which increases the fiber’s strength.  Compared with meta-aramids, they are manufactured with the significantly higher tenacity of 23g/den.

*Note: Tensile strength is simple a measure of maximum force attained in breaking a fiber however, tenacity is a measure the same force in relation to the linear density of the fiber or yarn.

Below are some key performance specifications of these fibers:

Meta-Aramid Standard Tenacity Para-Aramid High Modulus Para-Aramid
Typical filament size (dpf) 2 1.5 1.5
Specific Gravity (g/cm3) 1.38 1.44 1.44
Tenacity (gpd) 4-5 20-25 22-26
Initial Modulus (g/dn) 80-140 500-750 800-1000
Elongation @ Break (%) 15-30 3-5 2-4
Continuous Operating 

Temperature (F)

400 375 375
Decomposition

Temperature (F)

750 800-900 800-900

Kevlar® and Nomex®: Flame Resistant vs. Flame Retardant

Unlike other materials and fibers, that may require coatings and finishes to enhance their heat and /or flame protection, Kevlar® and Nomex® fibers are inherently flame-resistant and will not melt, drip, or support combustion.  In other words, the thermal protection offered by Kevlar® and Nomex® is permanent — its superior flame resistance cannot be washed out or worn away.   Materials that must be treated, in order to improve their fire-resisting performance (and whose protection may wane with wash and wear exposure) are known as “fire retardant.”  Those with superior inherent and permanent protection (i.e., Kevlar®, Nomex®, etc.) are referred to as “fire resistant.”

This superior heat and flame-resisting ability allow these fibers – and the textiles produced from them – to meet many industry standards industry standards that other materials cannot.  

Kevlar® and Nomex® are also heavily favored by manufacturers of clothing and equipment utilized by the electrical utility and welding industries, specifically for their ability to endure arc-flash strikes.  Arc flash is a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground.  The results are often violent and when a human is in close proximity to the arc flash, serious injury and even death can occur.

A World of Applications: Kevlar® and Nomex® Protecting Important Industries

Unlike Kevlar®, Nomex® strands cannot align during filament polymerization, resulting in the aforementioned lower strength.  However, with its excellent thermal, chemical, and arc-flash resistance, the semi-crystalline structure of Nomex® translates to a unique and optimal balance of fiber integrity and softness of hand that make it an ideal choice for protective clothing applications.

While Kevlar® shares the heat/flame and arc-flash resistance of Nomex®, at 5 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, it is more often suited to product solutions that require greater tensile and tenacity performance than its DuPont® cousin.

Both fibers are utilized (independently and in combination) for a wide array of products in fields such as:

  • Firefighting
  • Defense
  • Forging and Smelting
  • Welding
  • Electrical and Utility
  • Mining
  • Racing
  • Aerospace and Outer space
  • Refining and Chemical
  • And many others

As with all performance high-performing fibers, both Nomex® and Kevlar® have their weaknesses and limitations.  For example, both will eventually degrade in performance and in color, with prolonged exposure to UV light.  Additionally, as porous materials, they will absorb water/moisture and will gain weight as they take on water.  Therefore, when evaluating a fiber(s) for a specific application, it is always crucial to take into consideration all potential actions, environments, and duration to which the end product will be exposed.

The OTEX Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams are experts in fiber selection and textile design/testing.  They will be thrilled to help you determine what will be the best performance textile for your specific needs.  Give us a call!

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