Aramid fibre reinforced polymer (0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm)
AFRP composites based on Kevlar 49: density ~1.44 g/cm?; yarn tensile strength ~3,000 MPa and modulus ~112 GPa; resin-impregnated strands ~3,600 MPa and 124 GPa. Composite properties vary with layup.
AFRP composites based on Kevlar 49: density ~1.44 g/cm?; yarn tensile strength ~3,000 MPa and modulus ~112 GPa; resin-impregnated strands ~3,600 MPa and 124 GPa. Composite properties vary with layup.
Aramid fibre reinforced polymer (AFRP) composites use para-aramid fibres (e.g., DuPont Kevlar 49) in epoxy or vinyl ester matrices. DuPont Kevlar 49 yarn data report density 1.44 g/cm?, tensile strength about 3,000 MPa and tensile modulus about 112 GPa for yarn; resin-impregnated strands report tensile strength 3,600 MPa and modulus 124 GPa. Composite laminate performance depends on fibre volume fraction, orientation and resin system.
- Exceptional tensile strength (1720 MPa)
- Superior impact resistance vs other FRPs
- Complete corrosion immunity
- Non-conductive/electrical insulation
- 75+ year service life
- 5x stronger than steel by weight
- Excellent fatigue resistance
- Negative thermal expansion coefficient
- High chemical resistance
- Vibration damping properties
- Non-magnetic characteristics
- Termite resistance certification
- Low maintenance requirements
- Cyclone-rated performance
- Fire resistance with char formation
- 01 Exceptional tensile strength (1720 MPa)
- 02 Superior impact resistance vs other FRPs
- 03 Complete corrosion immunity
- 04 Non-conductive/electrical insulation
- 05 75+ year service life
- 01 High UV sensitivity without protection
- 02 Low compressive strength (15-20% of tensile)
- 03 Premium cost ($45-375/m²)
- 04 Difficult to recycle (20-50% recovery)
- 05 Moisture absorption (3.5-7%)
- Density
- 1.44 g/cm? (Kevlar 49 yarn density) kg/m³
- Specific gravity
- 1.44
- Porosity
- 0.5-2.0 %
- Water absorption
- 3.5-7.0 %
- Hardness
- 75-85
- UV resistance
- Poor (requires protection) // 28% strength loss without protection
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent (organic solvents, oils, salts)
- pH tolerance
- 4-10
- Surface roughness
- 5-25 µm
- Tensile strength
- 3,000 MPa (Kevlar 49 yarn); 3,600 MPa (resin-impregnated strand) MPa
- Compressive strength
- 350-420 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 1200-1450 MPa
- Shear strength
- 45-65 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.35-0.36
- Impact resistance
- 35-120 // kJ/m² (varies with thickness)
- Creep resistance
- Excellent (<0.5% strain at 50% UTS, 1000hr)
- Embodied carbon
- 22-36 // kgCO2e/m² (varies with thickness)
- Carbon footprint
- 15-25 // kgCO2e/kg
- Embodied energy
- 200-300 MJ/kg // MJ/kg
- Water footprint
- 180-250 L/kg // L/kg
- Recycled content
- 0-15 % // % available
- Renewable content
- 0 % // %
- Circular score
- 3/10 // Limited recycling options
- Combustibility class
- Group 2-3 // AS 5637.1
- Fire resistance level
- Variable (requires AS 1530.4 testing)
- Ignition temp
- 400-450 °C // °C
- Flame spread index
- 25-45
- Smoke dev. index
- 3-5
- Heat release rate
- 50-150 // kW/m²
- Material cost (range)
- 45-375 // AUD/m² (varies by thickness and method)
- Material cost (per unit)
- 32-78 // AUD/kg (raw fiber)
- Lead time
- 6-20 // weeks
- Lifecycle cost
- 1850-2950 // AUD/m² over 50 years
- Annual maintenance
- 2-5 // AUD/m²/year
- Market availability
- Moderate (specialist suppliers)
- Expected lifespan
- 50-75 // years
- Maintenance interval
- 5-10 // years (inspection only)
- Warranty period
- 10-25 // years