06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:23 AM Page 2

Grasp The World

Of Tomorrow
LIQUID CRYSTAL TECHNOLOGY
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KURARAY AMERICA, INC.

Kuraray America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. Kuraray America’s
product lines include Vectran™ liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fiber.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1: Introduction Page 15: Flex Fatigue
Page 2: Liquid Crystal Polymer Page 17: Bend Tolerance
Page 3: Demanding Applications Page 18: Impact Resistance
Page 5: Fiber Chemistry/Molecular Structure Page 19: Vibration Damping
Page 6: Tensile Properties/Finishing Options Page 20: Cut Resistance
Page 7: Thermal Properties Page 21: Twist
Page 10: Chemical Resistance Page 22: UV Resistance
Page 12: Creep/Stress Relaxation Page 23: Radiation Exposure
Page 13: Yarn-on-Yarn Abrasion Resistance Page 24: General Applications
Page 14: External Abrasion Resistance
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LI Q U I D CRYSTAL P O LY M ER FI B ER

Vectran™ Fiber
A Unique Combination of Properties For
The Most Demanding Applications
Day in, and day out, whether at home or in the office,
we are surrounded by products from the Kuraray group.
This is because the specialty products which our
company produces worldwide are primarily used as
important constituents in building and coating materials
and in adhesives, high-performance composites, home
textiles and man-made leather, dental materials, carpets,
in furniture finishes or in laminated safety glass.

An industry-leading textile fiber manufacturer, Kuraray

has been providing innovative technical and industrial
textile solutions for over 45 years.

Vectran™ is a high-performance multifilament yarn spun

from liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Vectran™ is the only
commercially available melt spun LCP fiber in the world.
Vectran™ fiber exhibits exceptional strength and rigidity.
Pound for pound Vectran™ fiber is five times stronger than
steel and ten times stronger than aluminum. These unique
properties characterize Vectran™:

• High strength and modulus

• Excellent creep resistance
• High abrasion resistance
• Excellent flex/fold characteristics
• Minimal moisture absorption
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
• High dielectric strength
• Outstanding cut resistance
• Excellent property retention at high/low temperatures
• Outstanding vibration damping characteristics
• High impact resistance

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Vectran™ Liquid Crystal

Polymer Fiber: A Unique
Combination of Properties
For Demanding Applications

Photo Courtesy of Cargolifter AG.

Where Existing Materials Fail to Perform

A unique combination of properties differentiates Vectran™ fiber from other high-performance fibers and makes
it the material of choice in demanding applications where other fibers fail to meet performance requirements.
Vectran’s remarkable mechanical performance combined with the other unique properties permit it to be used
for a variety of purposes. Vectran™ fibers are used in aerospace, ocean exploration and development, electronic
support structures, the recreation and leisure industry, safety materials, industrial applications, ropes and
cables, composites, protective apparel and high-pressure inflatables.

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Vectran Fiber ™

Ropes And Cables

Ropes and Cables Demand a Balance of Outstanding Properties
Vectran™ HT is solving performance problems in critical marine, military, and industrial rope and cable
applications. High strength with excellent creep resistance allows manufacture of high performance ropes that
are stable to extended loads. Superior abrasion resistance, excellent moisture resistance, and exceptional
property retention over broad ranges of temperature and chemical environments, provide solutions to
industrial wear and degradation problems experienced with existing fiber products. Vectran™ HT is an
outstanding candidate for replacement of steel and stainless steel constructions.

Vectran™ UM is a high-modulus, low elongation alternative for applications requiring high stiffness, such as
reinforcement of composites or electromechanical cables.

Vectran™ fiber can be found on yacht ropes and sails powering

Americas Cup vessels and high-performance yachts.

Recreation & Leisure

Recreation and Leisure
Vectran™ fibers are an excellent option for recreation and leisure products such as sailcloth,
reinforced hulls, fishing poles and lines, golf clubs, bicycle forks, skis, bowstrings, tennis
racquets, snowboards, and paragliders. Performance is critical in many specialty sporting
goods applications. Of particular importance are the unique vibration damping characteristics
of Vectran™ fiber combined with high strength, minimal moisture absorption and excellent
flex/fold/abrasion/impact resistance.

Photo Courtesy of ILC Dover.

Aerospace & Military

Aerospace and Military
The first use of Vectran™ fiber was for demanding and specialized military applications. The unique properties
of this high-performance fiber satisfy many of the military and aerospace needs of today. In fact, the airbags
above made with Vectran™ fiber successfully cushioned the Mars Pathfinder, Spirit, and Opportunity landings
on the surface of Mars. A stellar-strength fiber, Vectran™ offers exceptional flex fatigue resistance, providing
superior load handling characteristics for tow ropes, cargo tie-downs and inflatables.

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Composite Options
New Textile and Composite Options
The Vectran™ fiber family is available in a range of deniers for textile
and composite processing and offers new options in design and material
selection. Vectran™ HT fiber offers benefits for applications requiring high
strength, vibration damping, low moisture absorption, and low CTE. Vectran™ NT
fiber is a high modulus thermoplastic matrix fiber for applications requiring high
impermeability, excellent property retention over a broad temperature range, and
low moisture absorption. Vectran™ UM offers the highest modulus without
sacrificing tensile strength.

Industrial Applications
Industrial Applications For The 21st Century
Vectran™ Fiber brings unique solutions to industrial applications. Stability to
most chemicals allows the manufacture of chemically resistant packings and
gaskets. Users of protective apparel such as gloves and workwear benefit from
excellent cut and stab resistance, elevated temperature resistance, outstanding
flex/fold resistance, and durability to multiple wash/dry cycles even in the
presence of bleach.

For example, the meat processing industry suffers from some of the highest
incidents of hand cuts and abdominal stabs. Worker safety is improved when
garments provide increased cut resistance or stab resistance. Because of the high
cost of safety apparel and the high costs of injuries, meat processing companies
are sensitive to cost/performance of safety workwear. Aramid fibers have poor
resistance to bleach and HMPE fibers are sensitive to high temperatures
associated with drying. Therefore, the cost/performance of safetywear improves
when garments can resist exposure to bleach and are durable enough to resist
multiple wash/dry cycles without loss of strength or shape due to shrinkage.
Vectran™ fiber workwear is meeting the cost/performance needs of this industry.

Specialized Electronic Uses

Specialized Electronic Uses Require a Unique Fiber
Vectran™ HT fiber is an excellent candidate for printed circuit boards, fiber optic
strength members, and conductor reinforcements. High dielectric strength coupled
with elevated temperature resistance and outstanding moisture resistance provide
new levels of electrical efficiency in prevention of current leakage. This
combination along with excellent dimensional stability and low CTE provide a
unique fiber for specialized electronic uses.

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Engineering Data
Fiber Chemistry
Vectran™, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fiber, offers a balance of Figure 1: Schematic Of Molecular
properties unmatched by other high performance fibers. This Chain Structure Of Fiber
unique fiber's history spans 30 years of research and development
Conventional Liquid Crystal
in thermotropic (melt-processable) LCP's. Polyester Polymer

LCP polymer molecules are stiff, rod-like structures organized in

ordered domains in the solid and melt states. These oriented
domains lead to anisotropic behavior in the melt state, thus the
term "liquid crystal polymer." Vectran™ fiber is formed by melt
Melt Spinning Melt
extrusion of the LCP through fine diameter capillaries, during And Spinning
which the molecular domains orient parallel to the fiber axis. The Heat Drawing

structure's high degree of orientation, illustrated schematically in

Figure 1, translates to excellent fiber tensile properties.

Orientation Very High

With Orientation
Chain Folding With No
Chain Folding

Molecular Structure
The molecular structure of LCP, a wholly aromatic polyester, is
Figure 2: LCP Molecular Structure
shown in Figure 2.

With conventional polyesters, the molecular chains are random

and flexible. Fibers spun from such materials must be further
oriented, generally through a combination of extrusion speed and
post-spin drawing, to obtain higher tensile properties. Vectran’s
highly oriented structure is locked in directly during the melt-
spinning process, thanks to the molecular structure and liquid
crystalline nature of the starting polymer.

Vectran™ is different from other high-performance fibers such as

aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HMPE).
Vectran™ fiber is thermotropic, it is melt-spun, and it melts at a
high temperature. Aramid fiber is lyotropic, it is solvent-spun, and
it does not melt at high temperature. HMPE fiber is gel-spun, and
it melts at a low temperature.

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Tensile Properties
Vectran™ offers a distinct advantage over traditional metals in terms of strength-to-weight ratios. This is
demonstrated in Table 1, which lists the tensile properties and densities of various reinforcing materials.
Table 2 gives the mechanical properties of Vectran™ 1500 denier yarn, which typically exceeds these
minimum specifications. Even higher tensile strengths are characteristically associated with lower deniers.

Table 1: Comparison of Properties of Various Engineering Materials

Material Density Tensile Specific Tensile Specific
(g/cm3) Strength Strength Modulus Modulus
(GPa) (km*) (GPa) (km**)
Vectran™ NT 1.4 1.1 79 52 3700
Vectran™ HT 1.41 3.2 229 75 5300
Vectran™ UM 1.4 3.0 215 103 7400
Titanium 4.5 1.3 29 110 2500
Stainless Steel 7.9 2.0 26 210 2700
Aluminum 2.8 0.6 22 70 2600
E-Glass 2.6 3.4 130 72 2800
Graphite (AS4) 1.8 4.3 240 230 13000
*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
decreasing density.
(KAI data)

Table 2: Average of Mechanical Properties of Vectran™ 1500 Denier/300 Filament Yarn

HT UM
Gpa g/denier ksi Gpa g/denier ksi
Break Strength 3.2 25.9 465 3.0 24.4 440
Initial Modulus 75 600 10760 103 838 15020
Elongation at break, % 3.8 2.8
(KRC data)

Finishing Options
Vectran™ fiber is available with three sizing options.

T-97 A silicone oil finish applied at a level of ~5.0% Oil-on-Yarn to optimize fiber-
to-fiber abrasion resistance. Used for dynamic applications primarily in
cordage and cable industry.

T-117 An olefinic finish applied at a level of ~1.5% Oil-on-Yarn for improved fiber-
to-fiber abrasion resistance without the use of silicone.

T-150 A weaving finish applied at a level of ~0.5% Oil-on-Yarn to assist processing

(e.g.: rewinding, twisting, braiding, weaving), which can be easily scoured off.

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Vectran Fiber ™

Thermal Properties
Vectran™ HT shows robust performance in a broad spectrum of responses to thermal loading. These responses are
summarized below and in Table 3:

• Good LOI (equivalent to aramids) and low smoke generation

• Low thermal shrinkage (hot air, boiling water and laundry)
• No dripping in vertical flammability tests
• Good strength retention after hot air and radiant energy exposures
• Low, negative coefficient of thermal expansion
• Excellent property retention in a broad temperature range
• No measurable volatile condensable mass (VCM) and 0.3% maximum weight loss (TML or TWL) in testing
for aerospace applications (see also “Offgassing/Outgassing”)

Table 3: Fiber Thermal Properties

Vectran™ Aramid
HT UM Standard High Modulus
LOI 28 30 30 30
M.P., °C None 350 None None
HAS (Hot air shrink, 180°C, 30 minutes), % <0.2 <0.1 <0.2 <0.1
BWS (Boiling water shrinkage, 100°C. 30 minutes), % <0.2 <0.1 <0.2 <0.1
50% Strength Retention Temperature1, °C 145 150 430 230
TGA (20% weight loss), °C >450 >450 >450 >450
1 Estimated from Figure 3
(KAI data)

Table 4: Equilibrium Moisture Regain

Relative Vectran™ Aramid(PPT)
Temperature Humidity HT UM Standard High
(degree °C) (%) Modulus
20 65 <0.1 <0.1 4.2 4.1
20 80 <0.1 <0.1 4.8 4.8
20 90 <0.1 <0.1 5.4 5.5
(KRC)

Mechanical property retention during or after thermal exposure is a key concern in many applications. Most
commonly, high temperatures are encountered during a downstream processing step, such as coating or
laminating. Care must be taken to minimize line tensions or other mechanical loads during the high
temperature step. Figure 3, which describes Vectran’s tensile strength at temperature, should be used as a
reference in selecting process conditions. For high temperature processing at low mechanical load, Figure 4
shows that Vectran™ will have excellent strength after processing, in fact, superior to aramids.

Figure 3: Strength At High Temperatures: Figure 4: Strength After Thermal Exposure

Simultaneous Mechanical and Thermal Loading 24 Hour Exposure To Temperature, Followed by
Testing at Ambient Temperature
100 100
Vectran™ HT
Standard Aramid

90
80 Standard
Tenacity Retention (%)

High Modulus
Tenacity Retention (%)

Aramid
Aramid

60 80
Vectran™ UM

Vectran™ HT
40 70

20 60

0 50
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Temperature (°C) Temperature (ºC)
(KRC) (KAI)
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For end uses that call for longterm or cyclic thermal exposure, Vectran™ can also offer increased product
lifetimes. Figure 5 illustrates that Vectran™ has little to no strength loss in cyclic exposures to 120˚C. Vectran’s
resistance to cyclic thermal loads is confirmed at higher temperatures in Figure 6, which also illustrates
Vectran’s superiority to aramids in this respect. Note that the aramid in Figure 6 suffered 30% strength loss
in roughly a dozen 8-hr cycles, or 4 days of exposure (in total). Similar trends are observed when Vectran™ is
held at 250°C continuously (Figure 7) and after 120°C steam exposure (Figure 8).

Figure 5: Vectran™ HT Tenacity vs Figure 6: Vectran HT 1500/300 Filament Yarn Tenacity –

Cycles At Temperature Cycles at 195°C
120
104

102
100

Tenacity Retention, %
Tenacity Retention, %

100

98
80

96

94 60

92

90 40
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Number of Cycles Number of Cycles

Each Cycle = 8 hours @ 120C followed Vectran™ HS 1500 den. Aramid 1600 den.
by testing at ambient temperature
(KAI) Each Cycle = 8 hours @ 195C; testing at ambient temperature
(KAI)

Figure 7: Tenacity After Thermal Exposure (250°C) Figure 8: Tenacity After Steam Exposure (120°C)
35
35

30
30
Vectran™ HT
25
25 Vectran™ HT
Vectran™ UM
Tenacity (g/denier)

Tenacity (g/denier)

20 Standard
20 Aramid

15 Vectran™ UM
Standard Aramid 15
High Modulus
High Modulus Aramid
10
Aramid 10

5
5

0
0 100 200 300 400 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Time (hours)
(KRC) Time (hours)
(KRC)

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Vectran Fiber ™

Vectran™ fiber's performance at low temperature was evaluated by ILC Dover during the design of the airbag
system for the 1997 Mars Pathfinder mission. ILC reported that Vectran™ actually increased in strength in tests
at -62˚C, leading to its selection for the airbag fabric and external assembly tendons (Development and
Evaluation of the Mars Pathfinder Inflatable Airbag System, D. Cadogen et al, ILC Dover, Inc., 49th
International Astronautical Congress, 1998.) This distinguishing characteristic of Vectran™ is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Low Temperature Properties of Vectran™ Fiber

20
Vectran™ UM
15
Vectran™ HT
10
Tenacity Change (%)

-5 Standard Aramid

-10
High Modulus
-15 Aramid

-20
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40
Temperature(°C)
(KRC)

Vectran™ has a low, negative coefficient of thermal expansion (Table 5). This is particularly beneficial for
dimensional control of composites. Thermal conductivity properties are given in Table 6.

Table 5: Vectran™ HT CTE at Various Temperatures

Fiber Longitudinal Direction
CTE (m/m-°C X 10-06)
Temperature Range Vectran™ HT Standard Aramid
-150 to 100°C -4.8 -4.9
100 to 200°C -11.6 -5.8
(KRC)

Table 6: Thermal Conductivity of Vectran™ HT

Direction Temperature Density Specific Heat Thermal Conductivity
°C g/cm3 J/kg-°K W/m-°K 10-3cal/cm-sec-°C
Vectran HT
™
Longitudinal 23 1.4 1100 1.5 3.5
100 1.4 1420 2.0 4.7
Standard Aramid Longitudinal 23 1.44 1230 2.5 5.9
(KRC)

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Offgassing/Outgassing
In aerospace applications, material candidates are often screened for outgassing and offgassing properties. Outgassing is
the release of chemicals from non-metallic substances under vacuum conditions. Test method ASTM E595 is routinely
used to assess material outgassing characteristics. In this test, a material is held at 125˚C for 24 hours in vacuum, and
condensing volatiles are collected on a cooled plate. Test results include the sample’s percent total mass loss (TML%),
the percent collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM%), and percent water vapor regained (WVR%).

Offgassing refers to the release of chemicals from materials at ambient or higher pressure. Test method NHB 8060.1C
(Test 7) is commonly used to measure offgassing characteristics. In this test, the candidate material is held at 125˚C and
ambient pressure for 72 hours. Gas sample analysis yields offgassed product identities and their concentration. For each
species, the ratio of the sample concentration to its SMAC (spacecraft maximum allowable concentration) is calculated.
The sum of these ratios is the T value of the material, or the Toxic Hazard Index.

Vectran™ fiber with either T97 or T150 finish provides excellent offgassing and outgassing characteristics (Table 7) in a
wide variety of aerospace applications.

Table 7: Offgassing and Outgassing Test Results for Vectran™ HT Fiber

Vectran™ Fiber with: TML% CVCM% WVR% T
No finish * 0.00 0.00 2.226**
T97 finish * 0.00 0.00 0.009
T150 finish 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.015

* Test results exceeded precision limits required to produce a statistically meaningful average. Individual samples
measurements: fiber without finish, 0.21 and 0.07%; fiber with T97 finish, 0.13 and 0.19%.
** The contribution of benzyl alcohol to this T-value is 2.214. The concentration in the sample was 0.31µg/g; no
measured SMAC value was available, therefore a conservatively low value of 0.14 µg/g was assumed.
(KAI)

Chemical Resistance
Vectran™ fiber has good strength retention in chemical exposures covering a wide range of aggressive chemicals,
concentrations, exposure times, and temperatures. The fiber is resistant to organic solvents, some acids of >90%
concentration, and bases of <30% concentration. Specific exposure results are provided in Table 8.

Chemical resistance is an important consideration in protective apparel use, garment care, and upkeep. Bleach resistance,
strength retention, and dimensional stability (i.e., shrinkage) determine the launderability of protective garments, which, of
course, affects the cost and performance of safety wear. For example, HMPE fibers are sensitive to high temperatures
associated with drying, while Vectran™ offers minimal shrinkage in hot water or air (Table 3). Figure 10 demonstrates
Vectran’s superior bleach resistance compared to aramid fiber. Vectran™ fiber’s dimensional and chemical stability simplify
garment care and further allow the use of chlorine as a cleaning agent in various applications.

Figure 10: Tenacity Retention Vectran™ HT vs Aramid

120

100
Retention (%)

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

Exposure (hours)

2.63% Bleach 5.25% Bleach 2.63% Bleach 5.25% Bleach

Vectran™ Vectran™ Aramid Aramid

(KRC)
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Table 8: Chemical Resistance Of Vectran™ Fiber

Vectran Fiber ™

Concentration Temperature Time Fiber Strength Retention (%)

Reagent Formula (%) °C (Hours) Vectran™ HT Vectran™ UM Standard Aramid
Acids
Hydrochloric Acid HCI 1 50 100 100 96 93
1 50 1,000 93 - 34
1 50 10,000 84 - 16
10 70 1 96 - 73
10 70 10 93 - 26
Sulfuric Acid H2SO4 1 50 100 99 99 98
1 50 1,000 93 - 88
1 50 10,000 85 - 28
10 20 100 100 - 94
10 20 1,000 95 - 90
10 20 10,000 90 - 69
10 50 100 98 - 86
10 50 1,000 98 - 65
10 50 10,000 82 - 12
10 70 10 94 - 79
10 70 100 93 - 19
10 100 10 96 - 40
Nitric Acid NHO3 1 50 100 99 100 83
1 50 1,000 97 - 29
1 50 10,000 86 - 14
10 70 1 95 - 60
10 70 10 95 - 23
10 70 100 92 - 5
Phosphoric Acid 10 70 100 93 - 46
10 100 100 91 - 20
Formic Acid 90 20 100 96 - 93
90 70 100 93 - 42
Acetic Acid 40 70 100 94 - 37
40 100 100 90 - 22
Bases
Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 10 20 100 97 - 68
(Caustic Soda) 10 70 20 66 - 21
10 70 40 37 - 19
10 70 60 32 - 17
10 100 10 28 - 17
Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)2 saturated 50 100 96 86 93
saturated 50 1,000 85 - 60
saturated 50 10,000 9 - 20
Cement Extract - 20 10 99 - 98
- 20 100 100 - 94
- 20 1,000 95 - 90
- 20 10,000 90 - 69
- 50 1 100 - 98
- 50 10 99 - 94
- 50 100 97 - 90
- 50 1,000 79 - 59
- 50 10,000 6 - 20
Organic Solvents
Acetone Ch3CoCH3 100 20 100 100 100 99
100 20 1,000 100 - 98
100 20 10,000 99 - 99
Benzene C6H6 100 20 100 97 - 96
100 70 100 95 - 93
Carbon Tetrachloride 100 20 100 96 - 95
Ether 100 20 100 98 - 95
Ethyl Acetate 100 20 100 98 - 96
Toluene C6H6CH3 100 20 100 100 100 96
100 20 1,000 99 - 98
100 20 10,000 98 - 99
Methanol CH3Ch2OH 100 20 100 96 - 94
Perchloroethylene 100 20 100 95 - 96
Formaldehyde 37 20 100 96 - 98
Ethylene Glycol HOCH2CH2OH 50 100 10 92 - 90
50 100 100 79 - 74
Ammonia Solution NH3 10 70 24 35 - 95
Salts
Sodium Carbonate Na2CO3 1 50 100 96 100 100
1 50 1,000 95 100 96
1 50 10,000 80 100 67
Sodium Chloride NaCI 1 50 100 100 99 100
1 50 1,000 97 99 98
1 50 10,000 95 99 97
Copper Sulfate CuSO4 1 50 100 101 100 100
1 50 1,000 95 100 98
1 50 10,000 90 100 68
Zinc Chloride ZnCI2 1 50 100 98 99 99
1 50 1,000 98 99 98
1 50 10,000 95 99 97
Oils
Mineral Oil 100 20 100 100 100 100
100 20 10,000 100 - 100
(KRC) 11
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Creep
Creep is the continued extension of a material when subjected to long-term static loading. Resistance to
creep (or its static-strain complement, stress-relaxation) is a critical design consideration in material
selection for many applications requiring long-term dimensional stability (e.g. sailcloth, halyards, bowstring,
marine cables, robotic tendons, etc.).

In experiments on yarns and small braids, minimal creep was observed with loads up to 30% of rated
breaking load. These tests ran for as long as 10,000 hours at ambient temperatures, as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Creep Behavior At Ambient Temperature (30% of Break Load)

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5
Creep (%)

0.4 Standard Aramid

0.3

0.2 Vectran™ HT

0.1 Vectran™ UM

0.0
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.0 100 1000 10000
Time (hours)
(KRC)

Stress Relaxation
A manufacturer of high performance ropes measured stress relaxation on Vectran™, aramid, and HMPE. In
this test, ropes are tensioned to a known load using a turnbuckle configuration (i.e., a fixed strain). As
relaxation occurs, the load decreases until the sample is retensioned using the turnbuckle. Test results are
shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Stress Relaxation (1/2” dia wirelay rope)

7,000

6,000 Vectran™ HT

5,000
Load, Lbs.

Aramid

4,000

HMPE

3,000

2,000
1 10 100 1,000

Log Time, Hours

(KAI)
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Vectran Fiber ™

Yarn-on-Yarn Abrasion Resistance

One measure of fatigue resistance used in the rope and cordage industry is the yarn-on-yarn abrasion test
(e.g. Cordage Institute Test Method CI-1503). This test simulates abrasion of adjacent yarns inside a rope
or rope splice during flexure. The typical test configuration is shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13: Yarn-On-Yarn Abrasion Test Set-Up

Yarn Attachment
Shut-Off For Bearing
Counter Device 60 RPM
2" Stroke

3" 3"

Weight
Motor And
Gear Box

1" Diameter Pulleys

10"

1 Complete Twist

(Tension Technology)

Using this test, samples of Vectran™ HT 1500/300 fiber with various finishes were evaluated versus a wide
range of aramid yarns and HMPE. Results are shown in Table 9. Vectran™ clearly outperforms aramids and is
equivalent to or superior to HMPEs in dry testing. The performance of Vectran™ and HMPE were improved by
wet conditions; in contrast, aramid abrasion resistance was lower when tested in water.

Table 9: Comparative Testing of Yarn-on-Yarn Abrasion Resistance

Average Cycles-to-Failure
Yarn Dry Wet
Vectran™ T97, 1500D 16672 21924
Aramid 1, 1500D 1178 705
Aramid 2, 1500D 1773 759
Aramid 3, 1500D 974 486
PBO, 1500D 2153 –
HMPE, 1600D 8518 23619
Test Method CI-1503: 1.5 wraps, 500g load, 66 cycles/min, no twist
(KAI)

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Using a third party’s proprietary marine finish, an independent rope and cordage industry test facility confirmed
Vectran's exceptional abrasion resistance in comparison to aramids. Vectran’s CTF was consistently an order of
magnitude higher than that of the aramid at each set of test conditions (see Table 10).

Table 10: Yarn-on-Yarn Abrasion of Vectran™ HT

Cycles-to-failure*
Dry Test Wet Test Dry Test Wet Test
Test Load 500 g 500 g 800 g 800 g
Vectran™ HT 12987 30519 3581 16524
Aramid 939 3029 422 1719
*1500 denier yarns, no twist, 1 wrap.
(KAI)

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 schematically in Figure 14. Without marine finish on the braid, Vectran™
outperformed aramid (Table 11). With marine finish applied to both Vectran™ and aramid braids, Vectran™ again
showed superior abrasion resistance.

Figure 14: Rope Abrasion Test Set-up

1/2" Diameter Steel

10

11/2 Cycles/Minute
Stroke 10 Inches
Test Load = 600 Pounds
Note: Samson Ocean Systems
Abrasion Test

Table 11: Braid Abrasion of Vectran™ HT*

Cycles-to-Failure
Vectran™ HT Aramid
600 lbƒ Load
Without marine finish 286 83
With marine finish applied 1250 93
*Eight-strand plain braid, 64X1500 denier threadlines, All tests dry
(KAI)

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Vectran Fiber ™

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 in a variety of applications.

The actual mechanism of flex fatigue has been a subject of considerable study, due to the significant variability
in flexural failure resistance of fibers made from linear chain polymers. For example, typical polyesters,
Vectran™ (wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polyester), and aramids (wholly aromatic liquid crystalline
polyamide) all exhibit a microfibrillar structure. In addition, the ultimate compressive strength of high modulus
organic fibers is generally about 1/10 of the ultimate tensile strength, and for all of the examples above, the
first visual manifestation of flex damage is the appearance of kink bands in the fiber. Kink bands, often
explained as dislocations (buckling or breaking) in the molecular chains, could involve the entire microfibril, or
propagate through the microfibril with repeated flexing or compressive strain at the same location.

In spite of these structural commonalities, these fibers differ considerably in their resistance to flexural fatigue.
Typical polyester can not provide the tensile and thermal stability of high performance fibers, but it does offer
higher flex fatigue resistance when cycled at a similar percentage level of its ultimate breakload. Vectran™
routinely outperforms aramids when tested for fatigue resistance and tenacity retention in yarn, rope/cable, and
fabric forms.

Comparative data for yarns appear in Table 12 and were collected

Figure 15: Folding Endurance Tester
using the Folding Endurance Tester (Figure 15). While aramid
(Tinius Olsen/M.I.T.)
results varied considerably with type, Vectran™ clearly outperforms
the aramid class as well as PBO. Flexural test data should always
be considered as a tool to rank various materials since controlled
component testing can not mirror actual results in the fully
constructed product’s environment. However, relative material
Elongation
rankings are consistent from test to test, as seen in Table 13. These Scale
rope testing data, generated by a high performance rope and cable
company, show a range of lifetimes observed for aramids and PBO, Counter
123

with clearly the best results obtained from the Vectran™ sample. Weight
Sample

270°

Table 12: Flex Fatigue Results on 1500D Yarn Table 13: Flex Fatigue Results on 0.085” Ropes
Material Cycles-to-failure Material Cycles-to-failure
Vectran™ T97 115113 Vectran™ T117 41909
Aramid 1 5114 Aramid 1 2115
Aramid 2 40666 Aramid 2 14963
Aramid 3 1383 Aramid 3 8143
PBO 23821 PBO 25158
Test Conditions: Tinius Olsen tester, ASTM D2176-97a, modified for Construction: Parallel core/extruded jacket
yarn, 4.5 lb weight
Test conditions: 0.085” dia. samples, 1.78” dia pulley, 100lb test load,
(KAI) 58 cycles/min., 5 tests/sample on cyclic test machine
(KAI)

15
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 19

An aerospace company compared flexural fatigue resistance of Vectran™ to aramids in coated fabric form. In
this study, base fabrics of aramid and Vectran™ were coated in an identical fashion with the company’s
proprietary formulation. Specimens 1” (weft direction) x 60” were cut and tested to simulate hard creasing
and folding in a cyclic fashion. Each cycle consisted of folding the sample in half, dragging a 10 lb. steel roller
over the fold, refolding the specimen at the same point but in the opposite direction, and again dragging the
roller over the fold. Strength losses were compared using a test compliant with FED-STD-191, Test Method
5102. As Table 14 illustrates, Vectran’s tenacity losses were minimal after 100 cycles, with the tensile failure
point occurring away from the fatigued fold line. Aramid strength losses were significant, with tensile failures
occurring at the fold line.

Table 14: Fatigue Testing of Coated Fabrics

Base Material Tenacity Loss at Failure Location
100 Cycles, %
Vectran™ 0.8 Away from Fatigued Crease
Aramid 22.9 At Crease
(KAI)

Vectran’s higher load bearing capability after equivalent fatigue levels is also demonstrated in Figure 16. In
this comparison, 400 denier Vectran™ and aramid yarns were subjected to the indicated cycle level in a Tinius
Olsen tester, after which the samples were removed and tested for strength. In this study, Vectran’s load
bearing capability was twice that of the aramid after as few as 500 cycles, and the gap appears to widen as
cycling continues. Fiber samples for each material and cycle level were examined by microscopic techniques in
an effort to compare kink band formation. Vectran™ samples showed kink band formation increasing with cycle
level as expected; however, the most noted observation for aramid samples was the presence of split and
fibrillated fibers, even at the 500 cycle level. Possibly, kink band formation in the aramids was initiated at
much lower cycle levels, but catastrophic failures later masked or interfered with microscopic examinations.

Figure 16: Tensile Strength vs Flexural Fatigue

25

Vectran™ HT
Tensile Strength (G/D)

20

15

Aramid B
10

Aramid A

5
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Flex Cycles
(KAI)

Flexural fatigue failure and differences between the resistance of various fibers is not a simple mechanism.
However, one relevant consideration might be the relative extent of crystalline order in these three fibers. For
example, standard polyesters are ordered along the axis with considerable amorphous content. Vectran™ is a
liquid crystalline fiber oriented along the axis with no amorphous regions and no observed three-dimensional
crystallinity. Aramids are liquid crystalline fibers in which three-dimensional crystals have been observed.
While each of these fibers has exhibited kink band formation in response to compressive strains, lower degrees
of dimensional order may more effectively block damage propagation across microfibrils and/or fibers.

16
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 20

Vectran Fiber ™

Bend Tolerance
Tolerance to bending around small radii is important in ropes and cables, as it allows the use of smaller
running gears or termination hardware. Aerospace and rope manufacturers conducted pin diameter tests on
Vectran™ braid and wire rope, respectively. The test configurations are shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17: Cord Test Sample Dimensions

Test Pin

Test Sample

T T

Eye
Splice Zone
Taper Zone
0.06" Nom. Diameter

Not To Scale 3"

2" 4"
30"

A. Braid

Test Sample

T T
Mounting Test Pin
Hook
B. Wire Rope
(KAI)

For the braid tests, each sample was 30 inches long and eye spliced on both ends with a long taper to
minimize stress concentration where the splice begins. Each sample was tensioned three times to half its
breaking strength to remove construction slippage before being tensioned to break. Pin diameters ranged from
0.110 inches to 0.31 inches. D/d (pin diameter/rope diameter) ranged from 1.5 down to 0.7. For the larger
wire rope tested, each sample was cycled five times 0-5,000 lbs., five times 0-10,000 lbs. and tensioned to
break. The rope diameter was 0.5 inches; D/d ranged from 7.56 down to 2.28.

17
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 21

The break strength of Vectran™ braids did not decrease with decreasing D/d, as shown in Figure 18.
Furthermore, breaks occurred in the middle of the sample and not at the pins. For the 0.5 inch diameter wire
rope construction, Vectran™ had a higher break strength than aramid over the range of pin diameters tested
(Figure 19). While no change in Vectran™ braid break strength was observed with decreasing pin diameter, a
decrease was observed for the Vectran™ wire rope construction.

Figure 18: Breaking Strength vs Pin/Cord Figure 19: Break Strength vs D/d
Dia.Ratio 8x1500/1 Construction Wire Rope Construction
8 5 / C
600 100
Average Breaking

500
Strength, Lbs.

90

400

% of Rated Break Strength

80
Vectran™
300

70
200
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 Aramid
Pin/Cord Diameter Ratio
60
4.8 ppi 5.8 ppi 7.7 ppi 9.8 ppi 12.5 ppi

Large circles - at least one failure over pin: 50

Remainder of Failures occurred at mid-open.
(KAI) 40
0 2.0 5 7.5 10 12.0 15
D/d
(KAI)

Impact Resistance
In composite applications, Vectran™ offers a unique balance of properties rarely found in synthetic fibers: minimal
moisture regain, thermal stability, and excellent impact resistance. Dynatup impact tests were conducted on
1500 denier Vectran™ HT and aramid fabric samples. Both samples contained 13 X 13 plain weave constructions
within Dow Derakane 411 resin (Vectran™ sample thickness: 0.0474 in.-0.0488 in., aramid sample thickness
0.040 in.). A 12.09 lb. load cell attached to a 5/8 in. tup dropped 36 inches through a metal tube before impact
(Figure 20). Table 15 compares the impact energy required for sample penetration.

Figure 20: Dynatup Impact Test Table 15:

Impact Resistance Comparison of High-performance Fabrics
Impact Energy Vectran™ Aramid
(inch lbs.)
25 No No
TUP
30 No No
50 No Penetration
STOP
SPECIMEN 75 No Penetration
BLOCK
STACK 100 No Penetration
SPECIMEN 125 Penetration Penetration
SUPPORT (KAI)
FIXTURE

18
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 22

Vectran Fiber ™

Vibration Damping
A vibration damping measurement system and a comparison of vibration damping characteristics for glass
fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and Vectran™ fiber are found in Figures 21 and 22. Table 16 lists performance
characteristics of various metals and composite materials used by a manufacturer of audio components. The
differences are apparent and demonstrate that Vectran™ fiber is ideal for vibration damping in sporting goods
and audio applications.

Figure 21: Measurement System For Vibration Damping

String
Iron Ball
Chart
Strain Gauge

Test
Piece Analyzing
Recorder
Dynamic Strain
Measuring Apparatus

Figure 22: Vibration Damping

Vectran™ Aramid
Vibration

Vibration

0 0

0.0 Times 250.0 ms 0.0 Times 250.0 ms

Carbon Fibers Glass Fibers
Vibration
Vibration

0 0

0.0 Times 250.0 ms 0.0 Times 250.0 ms

Periodic Damping of Single Fibers Reinforced Composite
(Matrix Resin: Epoxy)
(KRC)

Table 16: Audio Engineering Data For Various Metals and Composites
Speed of Elastic Modulus Internal
Material Sound Density Modulus Rigidity Loss
m/s g/cm3 GPa E/ρ3 Tanδ
Carbon Fiber* 6902 1.42 68 23.6 0.035
Paper (typical) 1781 0.50 2 12.7 0.040
Magnesium 5000 1.74 44 8.3 0.004
Vectran™** 4288 1.50 28 8.2 0.070
Glass 3216 2.00 21 2.6 N/A
PET 1802 1.38 4 1.7 0.010
Titanium 4773 4.54 103 1.1 0.002
Stainless Steel 5125 7.90 207 0.4 0.002
*woven fabric within epoxy resin
**woven Vectran™ HS and M blend within epoxy resin
(KAI)

19
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 23

Cut Resistance
Cut resistant tests are many and varied, and uniformity of test sample and cutting edge is critical in all tests.
In-house cut-resistance comparisons have used a Sintech tensile testing machine modified as shown in Figure
23 to accept a fixture holding a knitted hoseleg.

Figure 23: Sintech Tensile Testing Machine

SINTECH
25 lb. load cell
Blade holder
2'' dia. blade

6'' dia. sample holder

Base of Sintech
45°

NOT DRAWN TO SCALE

Tension is adjusted in hoseleg samples to allow a specified deflection at a given load. Inspection of the round
blade to assure a clean cutting edge is critical. Table 17 compares the cut resistance of various fibers.

Table 17: Sintech Cut Resistance

Material Denier Relative Load
Vectran™ HT 1500 3.4
Vectran™ NT 1500 2.2
Aramid 1500 1.1
HMPE 1500 1.0
(KAI)

Kuraray method tests, utilizing fixed blades, yield similar results with knitted spun yarn samples (Figure 24).
Table 18 compares these results.

Figure 24: Kuraray Test Method Table 18: Cut Resistance Of Spun Yarn
(Knit Samples From 20s/2s)
Material Relative Load
Strain
Vectran™ HT 100
Standard Aramid 73
Polyester 4
(KRC)

Knife (Fixed)

Knit Sample

20
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 24

Vectran Fiber ™

Twist
Twisting is the process of combining filaments into yarn by twisting them together or combining two or
more parallel singles yarns (spun or filament) into plied yarns or cords. Twisting increases strength,
smoothness and uniformity.

Many high performance yarns benefit from the improved load sharing that twisting allows. Optimum
twist level varies with the material, fiber size, yarn size, end use, etc. Table 19 illustrates Vectran’s
tenacity response to varying twist level, suggesting tenacity optimums of 2.5 TPI for 400 denier and 1.5
TPI for 1500 denier yarns. Similar tests determine ideal cord and cable pick levels (Figures 25, 26).

Table 19: Vectran™ HT Tenacity vs. Twists per Inch (TPI)

TPI 400 denier tenacity gpd 1500 denier tenacity gpd
0 25.6 25.6
0.5 26.5 26.7
1.0 27.8 27.6
1.5 27.8 28.6
2.0 28.6 27.9
2.5 28.8 27.6
3.0 28.1 25.8
3.5 28.3 24.0
4.0 28.3 21.8
4.5 27.8 N/A
5.0 27.8 N/A
(KAI)

Figure 25: Breaking Strength vs Picks/Inch

Ratio 8x1500/1 Construction
600

500
Average Breaking
Strenght, Lbs.

400

300

200
4 6 8 10 12
Picks/Inch
(KAI)

Figure 26: 1500/300 Vectran™ HT

Single End S-Twist and 3-Ply Z-Twist
30
Breaking Load, Grams/Denier

28

26

24

22

20

18

16

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Turns Per Inch

Single End S-Twist 3-Ply Z-Twist

(KAI)

21
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 25

UV Resistance
The UV resistance of products made from high performance fibers is highly dependent upon a number of
variables, including final product form (for example, rope or fabric, filament and yarn size, finishes/coatings,
twist/pick levels, etc). The impact of UV on braided cords made from high performance fibers is illustrated in
Figure 27.

Figure 28 shows that UV damage can be mitigated with simple protective measures – in the worst case (e.g.
single fiber, low twist, no coatings or external protection), Vectran™ and other high performance fibers will not
retain acceptable performance after long-term UV exposure (Figure 29).

Figure 27: Tenacity Retention

100
Tenacity Retention, %

90

80

70

60
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Exposure, Hours
Vectran™ T97 Aramid A Aramid D UHMWPE

Rope: 1/4" Diameter, 12x1 Braid

Test Method: AATCC #16E (Xenon-Arc Lamp)
(KAI)

Figure 28: Tenacity Retention

100
Tenacity Retention, %

90

80

70

60
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Exposure, Hours
Vectran™ T97 Vectran™ T97/Polyester Over-Braid

Rope: 1/4" Diameter, 12x1 Braid

Test Method: AATCC #16E (Xenon-Arc Lamp)
(KAI)

Figure 29: Tenacity Retention

100

80
Tenacity Retention, %

Standard Aramid
60
Vectran™ HT Black

40
Vectran™ HT

20

0
0 200 400 600
Exposure Time, Hours

Light Source: Carbon-arc Lamp

Samples: 1500 Denier, 2tpi twist
22 (KRC)
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 26

Vectran Fiber ™

Radiation Exposure
LCP’s are transparent to microwave energy and are virtually unaffected by high levels of radiation. Vectran™
fiber is likewise stable in high X-ray exposure environments (Table 20).

Table 20: Vectran™ Radiation Exposure

Before Exposure
Sample Twist (t/m) Denier (dtex) Tenacity (g/d) Elongation (%)
Vectran™ HT 80 1,696 28.9 3.8
Vectran™ UM 30 1,589 23.9 2.6
Standard Aramid 30 1,748 22.7 4.5

After Exposure X-ray Strength

Sample Twist (t/m) Denier (dtex) Tenacity (g/d) Elongation (%) Resistance (%)
Vectran™ HT 80 1,691 28.4 4.3 98
Vectran™ UM 80 1,599 26.3 3.1 110
Standard Aramid 80 1,705 24.4 4.3 108

Source: Soft X-ray

Amount of radiation exposure: 9.6xE+06 (mR/h at 1m)
This energy is equivalent to the 1800 times levels used in medical soft X-ray photography
(KRC)

23
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 27

Vectran Fiber ™

Applications

Ropes and Cables Industrial/Military/Aerospace Sporting Goods

Sonobuoy Cables Heat Resistant Belting Sailcloth

Seismic/Magnetometer Tow Cables High Pressure Inflatables Mountaineering Ropes
Sidescan Sonar Cables Tape Reinforcement Skis and Snowboards
Towed ASW Sensor Systems Abrasion Resistant Baggage Fishing Pole Reinforcement
Thermistor Cables and Strings Chemically Resistant Packings Bow Strings
Aircraft Geophysical Tow Cables Chemically Resistant Gaskets Bicycle Components
Drill Hole Logging Cables Cut Resistant Gloves Reinforced Hulls
Pumped Water Sampler Cables Fragmentation Fabric Golf Clubs
Environmental Ocean Sensors Prison Industry Garments Tennis Racquets and Strings
Aerial Camera Tethers Oil Well Tension Members Mainstays
Fishing System Sensors Chain Saw Chaps Backstays
Divers Comm/Strength Members Cut Resistant Clothing Running Rigging
Air Tow Cables (Countermeasures) Concrete Reinforcement Standing Rigging
Array Cables Pressure Vessels Fishing Line
Subsea Mooring Lines Electronic Reinforcement Hockey Sticks
Balloon Tethers Sewing Thread
Parachute Cords Radome Composites
Taglines-River/Canyon Aerostats
Helicopter Sling Legs Dirigibles
Aircraft Target Tow Cables Airbeams
Astronaut Safety Tethers Pneumatic Muscles
Center Core Strength Members Cryogenic Applications
Pull Through Cables Specialized Value Composites
Ship Handling Cables Nonwovens
Helicopter Rescue Hoist Cables Adhesive Reinforcement
Choker/Snatch Cables Speaker Cones
Fish Net Trawl Ropes Voice Coil Wraps
Stainless Wire Replacement Geotextiles
Optical Fiber Tension Members Filtration Applications
Deep Sea Winch Systems
Aircraft Cable
Deck Pendants
Robotic Cables
Automotive Cables

24
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:23 AM Page 1

To the best of our knowledge, the information

contained herein is accurate. However, neither
the company nor any of its affiliates assumes
any liability whatsoever for the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained
herein. Final determination of suitability of any
material and whether there is any infringement
of patents is the sole responsibility of the user.

Users of any substance must satisfy themselves

by independent investigation that the material
can be used safely. We may have described
certain hazards but we cannot guarantee that
these are the only hazards that exist.

The commodities are licensed by the United

States for designated destinations. Diversion
contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.

© 2006 Vectran™. All rights reserved.

www.vectran.net

Kuraray America, Inc., Vectran™ Division

460-E Greenway Industrial Dr.
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Tel 803-396-7351
Fax 803-547-5888
06048_Engineering_broc r7 6/8/06 11:24 AM Page 28

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