Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength94
Heat resistance82
Fire performance80
Insulation36
Workability40
Circularity38
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Aramid non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: inherently FR vs commodity PA. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Aramid insulate?
Thermal mark 36/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low radial; fibre anisotropic.
What is the density band?
~1.44 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: DuPont 1965 Kwolek (United States).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 38/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
does not melt; decomposes ~500 °C
heat 82 · fire 80
Aramid earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Stephanie Kwolek
1965
Kevlar vest
1970s–
Twaron
1978–
F1 fuel tank
1980s–
Sailing cables
1990s–
Hot-gas filter bag
1980s–
Brake pulp
1990s–
Helmet shell hybrid
2000s–
Pairings
nomex
The meta-aramid fire cousin.
nylon
The aliphatic polyamide ancestor.
carbon-fiber
Higher modulus, different impact story.
polyethylene
UHMWPE ballistic rival.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
More in Textiles
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Seed-hair cellulose that dressed the industrial revolution — still the comfort fibre of daily wear.
Overall 44 🐑Wool
Crimped keratin that traps still air — suiting, carpets and a quietly decent fire story among apparel fibres.
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A kilometre-class animal filament — luxury cloth, sutures and a template for bio-inspired fibres.
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The dominant apparel polymer — bottle-grade PET spun into staple that dries fast and sheds microfibres.
Overall 49 🪢Nylon
Carothers’ polyamide — stockings, tyre cord, climbing rope and a melt-drip fire personality.
Overall 48