Kevlar KM2 is a synthetic
para-aramid fibre produced by
DuPont. The fiber is an evolution of the original
Kevlar
Kevlar (para-aramid) is a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965, the high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s a ...
fibre. The following quotes summarise Kevlar KM2's properties.
"DuPont created Kevlar KM2 to achieve the performance goals defined by casualty reduction testing for the
Department of Defense Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to:
Current departments of defence
* Department of Defence (Australia)
* Department of National Defence (Canada)
* Department of Defence (Ireland)
* Department of National Defense (Philipp ...
. Today it is used extensively for fragmentation protection in the
U.S. military. Helmets and vests made with Kevlar KM2 provide enhanced bullet and fragmentation resistance while remaining comfortable and breathable in the most inhospitable climates.
Excellent thermal stability at temperature extremes,
water repellency, chemical stability and resistance to petroleum products have made Kevlar KM2 an indispensable asset to the military personnel who use it every day."
"''Kevlar KM2'' fiber is a transversely
isotropic material. Its tensile stress–strain response in the axial direction is linear and elastic until failure. However, the overall deformation in the transverse directions is nonlinear and nonelastic, although it can be treated linearly and elastically in infinitesimal strain range. For a linear, elastic, and transversely isotropic material, five material constants are needed to describe its stress–strain response."
[Mechanical Properties of Kevlar KM2 Single Fibre, J. Eng Materials Technology, April 2005, Volume 127, Issue 2, pp.197–204]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kevlar Km2
Organic polymers
Body armor
Synthetic fibers
Brand name materials