Vectran is a manufactured fiber, spun from a liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) created by Celanese Corporation and now manufactured by Kuraray. Chemically it is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid.[1]
Properties
Advantages
Vectran's golden fibers are noted for their thermal stability at high temperatures, high strength and modulus, low creep, and good chemical stability. They are moisture-resistant and generally stable in hostile environments. Polyester coating is often used around a Vectran core; polyurethane coating can improve abrasion resistance and act as a water barrier. Vectran has a melting point of 330 °C, with progressive strength loss from 220 °C.
Disadvantages
Although the tensile strength is similar to that of Kevlar, Vectran tends to experience tensile fractures when exposed to significant stress. The wispy, hair-like fibers tend to fray, to easily acquire dirt, and to readily entangle in hook-and-loop fasteners, from which they must sometimes then be cut or (when possible) torn.[2] If used without protective coatings, Vectran has low resistance to UV degradation and should not be used long-term in outdoor environments.
Usage
Vectran fibers are used as reinforcing (matrix) fibers for ropes, electrical cables, sailcloth, and advanced composite materials, professional bike tires, and in electronics applications. It is used as one of the layers in the softgoods structure of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designed and manufactured by ILC Dover and was the fabric used for all of the airbag landings on Mars: Mars Pathfinder in 1997[3] and on the twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity missions in 2004, also designed and manufactured by ILC Dover .[4] The material was used again on NASA's 2011 Mars Science Laboratory in the bridle cables.[5]
Vectran is a key component of a line of inflatable spacecraft developed by Bigelow Aerospace,[6] not only on two stations which are in orbit
Production
Kuraray Co., Ltd. began manufacturing Vectran in 1990. , Kuraray has owned 100% of the worldwide Vectran production since 2005 when they acquired the Vectran business from Celanese Advanced Materials Inc. (CAMI), based in South Carolina, U.S.
The total capacity of Vectran expanded from about 600 tons/yr in 2007 to 1000 tons/yr in 2008.[13]
See also
- Aramid
- Twaron
- Carbon fiber
- Vectra
External links
- Vectran official site
- Kuraray official site
- Vectran | Engineering Data by SWICOFIL
- Vectran fiber weaver
- long fibre spun yarn
- Technora, aramid fiber
- Vectran in Mars rover airbags
- https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/technology/city-trekking/vectran
References
- Vectran molecular structure retrieved 2010-12-06^
- Atlas of Fibre Fracture and Damage to Textiles Woodhead Publishing, 1998^
- Vectran Fiber -- Roll Goods and Custom Applications, Warwick Mills, "woven Vectran to strengthen fabric for use [on] NASA's Pathfinder mission to Mars", accessed 2010-03-04.