LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER FIBER TECHNOLOGY
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Enhance • Transform • Discover LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER FIBER TECHNOLOGY

ABOUT KURARAY Kuraray is a world leader in the manufacture of specialty fibers, chemicals and functional materials. We are committed to our customers and driven to develop products that ensure quality and value while differentiating our customers from competition.

Vectran™ ABOUT Vectran™ Pound for pound Vectran™ is five times stronger than steel and ten times stronger than aluminum. Vectran™ HAS EXCELLENT FIBER TENSILE PROPERTIES: Conventional Polyester Liquid Crystal Polymer CHARACTERISTICS OF Vectran™ n High strength and modulus n Excellent creep resistance n Abrasion resistance n Excellent flex/fold characteristics Melt Spinning and Heat Drawing n Minimal moisture absorption n Chemical resistance Melt Spinning n Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) n High dielectric strength n Outstanding cut resistance n Vibration damping characteristics n...

TENSILE PROPERTIES Vectran™ offers unique properties as compared to traditional metals in terms of strength-to-weight ratios. Vectran™ VS. TRADITIONAL MATERIALS Material Tensile Specific Tensile Strength Strength Modulus (GPa) (km*) (GPa) Stainless Steel * Specific strength = Strength/Density (also divided by force of gravity for SI units). Also known as breaking length, the length of fiber that could be held in a vertical direction without breaking. ** Specific modulus = Modulus/Density (also divided by force of gravity for SI units). This measure increases with increasing stiffness and...

THERMAL PROPERTIES Vectran™ HT has excellent thermal properties especially in regard to thermal loading. EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE REGAIN FIBER THERMAL PROPERTIES Vectran™ Relative Humidity (%) Aramid (PPT) High Modulus High Modulus BWS (Boiling water shrinkage, 100 °C, 30 minutes), % 50% Strength Retention Temperature, °C Vectran™ AT HIGH TEMPERATURE Mechanical property retention during or after thermal exposure is a key concern in many applications. The tensile strength of Vectran™ at temperature should be used as a reference in selecting process conditions. Vectran™ AFTER THERMAL EXPOSURE For...

The resistance of Vectran™ to cyclic thermal loads at higher temperatures is superior to aramids and increases product lifetimes. Tenacity Retention (%) Vectran™ RESISTANCE TO CYCLIC THERMAL LOADS High Modulus Aramid Tenacity (g/denier) Number of Cycles Each Cycle = 8 hours @ 195°C; testing at ambient temperature (KAI) Standard Aramid Time (hours) Tested at 25°C, after exposure at 250°C (KRC) Tenacity (g/denier) High Modulus Aramid Time (hours) Tested at 25°C, after exposure to 120°C steam (KRC) Tenacity Change (%) Evaulated by ILC Dover during the design of the airbag system for the 1997...

Vectran™ HT CTE AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES Temperature Range Fiber Longitudinal Direction CTE (m/m- °C x 10-06) Vectran™ HT Standard Aramid THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF Vectran™ HT Temperature °C Standard Aramid Specific Heat J/kg-°K OUTGASSING AND OFFGASSING For aerospace applications, materials are screened for outgassing and offgassing properties. Outgassing, the release of chemicals from non-metallic substances in vaccum conditions, and offgassing, the release of chemicals from materials at ambient or high pressure, are important in assessing the use of materials in these unique environments....

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE Vectran™ fiber is resistant to organic solvents, some acids of >90% concentration, and bases of <30% concentration. Chemical resistance is important in protective apparel use, garment care and upkeep. The superior bleach resistance of Vectran™, shown below at two concentrations, and dimensional and chemical stability simplify garment care. TENACITY RETENTION Vectran™ HT VS. ARAMID 120 Standard Aramid (2.6%) Standard Aramid (5.3%) Vectran™ HT (2.6%)

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF Vectran™ FIBER Hydrochloric Acid Sulfuric Acid Nitric Acid Phosphoric Acid Formic Acid Acetic Acid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) Calcium Hydroxide ORGANIC SOLVENTS Cement Extract Carbon Tetrachloride Ethyl Acetate Perchloro Ethylene Ethylene Glycol Ammonia Solution Sodium Carbonate Sodium Chloride Copper Sulfate Zinc Chloride Fiber Strength Retention (%) Time (hours) Formal Dehyde

CREEP AND STRESS RELAXATION As a critical design component in material applications that need long-term dimensional stability, Vectran™ performance is superior to competitive materials. These characteristics are important in applications like sailcloth, halyards, bowstring, marine cables and robotic tendons. Kuraray Data (Creep Load @ 40°C as % of 25°C BL) 0.01 Time (hours) CREEP BEHAVIOR AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (30% OF BREAK LOAD) STRESS RELAXATION (13 MM DIA WIRELAY ROPE) 3.0 Loads (metric tons) Whitehill Manufacturing Corporation WMCJETS/JETSTRAN I-A VEC 1/2" R

EXTERNAL ABRASION RESISTANCE Abrasion test comparisons of Vectran™ and aramid braids were conducted by a high-performance rope and cable company using the test shown. With or without marine finish on the braid, Vectran™ outperforms aramid materials. 13 mm Diameter Steel 10 without marine finish with marine finish applied * Eight-strand plain braid, 64x1500 denier threadlines. All tests dry Note: Samson Ocean Systems Abrasion test YARN-ON-YARN ABRASION RESISTANCE Fatigue resistance can be measured using the rope and cordage industry standard known as the yarnon-yarn abrasion test ( ie. The...

FLEX FATIGUE Flexural fatigue is a critical concern in many applications where yarns or fabrics are subject to repeated bending or creasing. Examples include ropes, sailcloth, inflatable and/or temporary structures, etc. Improving the service life of products by increasing flex fatigue resistance is an important driver for the use of Vectran™ fibers. Flex Cycles FATIGUE TESTING OF COATED FABRICS Tenacity Loss at Failure Location 100 Cycles, % Base Material FLEX FATIGUE RESULTS ON 1500D YARN 0.8 Away from Fatigued Crease Material Failure Location FLEX FATIGUE RESULTS ON 2 MM CORDS Test...