High-performance fibers are used in an increasing range of applications, including flexible technical textiles, high-strength ropes, and as reinforcements in rigid composites. These materials, in turn, are used in countless industries, such as automotive and aeronautical engineering, construction, the military, and marine engineering, where their ability to meet demanding requirements makes them an effective choice.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of how high performance fibres are designed and manufactured and discusses their capabilities and applications. It covers polymeric and inorganic high-modulus, high tenacity fibres; describes gel-spinning; includes the properties and uses of glass fibres; discusses the development of the aramid copolymer, melt-spun fully aromatic polyester, and Russian fibres; and much more.

From the Introduction: “...Techno-economic questions remain open. Will high-performance fibres be limited to small-volume, high price applications? If the use of a fibre will save or enhance life in a medical device, will help win a major sporting event or serves military capability, price is almost irrelevant. Or will some large-volume uses be found where, despite a high price, there is cost-benefit when a total system is costed?...”

Target Audience: Materials and fibre scientists, textiles designers and technologists, upper-level students, and others concerned with high performance fibres and their end-use applications.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Aramids

Gel-Spun High-Performance Polyethylene Fibres

Other High Modulus—High Tenacity (HM-HT) Fibres from Linear Polymers

Carbon Fibres

Glass Fibres

Ceramic Fibres

Chemically Resistant Fibres

Thermally Resistant Fibres

Appendix: Quantities and Units

Index