In order to survive, a business needs to innovate constantly, and the textile sector has strongly relied on creating new fibers and fabrics while putting old fibers to novel use in order to move ahead. Some fibers that were invented decades ago are continually improved and used in newer products. Para-aramid fibers, which are part of the aramid fibers family, are a prime example of this constant innovation. They are utilized for their strength and safety properties and remain in high demand worldwide. Para-aramid fibers belong to a class of materials known as liquid crystalline polymers.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of para-aramid fibers is their exceptional strength. These robust fibers have made a significant impact, especially in the armed forces, where they are used to create bulletproof vests. Para-aramid fibers surpass materials like fiberglass and steel in strength. They exhibit high tensile strength and modulus, with minimal weak points and flaws. Para-aramid fibers find applications in flame-resistant and heat-protective clothing, helmets, body armor, composite materials, heat air filter fabrics, ropes, optical fiber cables, sailcloth, sporting equipment, drumheads, reinforced concrete, and thermoplastic pipes, among many others. The versatile uses of para-aramid fibers have encouraged countries like the United States of America, Western Europe, China, Japan, and Russia to produce and export them.

Currently, China is in the developing stage in terms of the application of high-performance fibers, with a significant shortage of such fibers in the country. However, supportive government policies are expected to maintain a healthy growth rate of 10 percent to 20 percent in China's high-performance fiber industry, which includes aramid fibers, over the coming decade. Nevertheless, due to technological restrictions, China's actual production of para-aramid fibers remains relatively small, resulting in a high import dependence rate of around 70 percent. Japan and the United States are the leaders in producing para-aramid fibers, with their combined proportion exceeding 80 percent of global production.

Para-aramid fibers are imported on a large scale by developed countries, despite their widespread use. It is somewhat surprising that the growth of para-aramid fibers has not yet reached its full potential. While they are primarily known for ballistic protection in Western Europe, truck and bike tires, and reinforcement for fiber optic cables, research and development in this field of aramid fibers are likely to uncover even more important uses.

The exceptional properties of para-aramid fibers can be advantageous in several other sectors and industries beyond defense. Unlike fibers with high tensile strength that are extremely heavy, para-aramid is lightweight yet maintains high tensile strength. It exhibits low elongation to break, exceptional structural rigidity, low electrical conductivity, minimal thermal shrinkage, good resistance to chemicals, and abrasion resistance. These features indicate why the textile sector is determined to explore and develop new applications for para-aramid fibers. Currently, these fibers are the preferred choice for various protection and casing purposes.

The only impediment in the progress of para-aramid fibre is that there is hardly any competition in the global market with regard to manufacturing of the fibre. There are only a handful of companies that produce the para-aramid, which makes it difficult for the aspiring and budding entrants in the market to start with the manufacture of the same. The monopoly of the experienced companies in para-aramid fibres can in reality hinder the progress that this amazing fibre has made so far. Also, the cost of production and the price of the final product have deterred many countries from products made exclusively from para-aramid fibres.


Even though there is a gleam of hope as the production in Western Europe and Japan has risen greatly in the last decade, but this production is confined to a single company. This company accounts for about one-third of the total production in Europe and about one-half of the production in Japan. The trend of newer entrants in production of para-aramid fibres is also not very encouraging.


The change in government policies and also the inclination of giving much required support to the new industries in high performance fibre production sector is likely to give way to some more members in manufacturing of this strong fibre. Nevertheless, only time will tell what the future holds for para-aramid fibres. As of now, it has been accepted by the world that the properties of this fibre are unique and it is very difficult to replace para-aramid with any other fibres without compromising on the performance and quality.



References:


1.      Polycomp.mse.iastate.edu

2.      Marketwatch.com

3.      Prnewswire.com

4.      Chem.uwec.edu

5.      Wikipedia.org