Kevlar is a synthetic fiber, the scientific name of which is "aramid-polyparaphenylene-terephthalamide." In 1965 it was developed by the American company DuPont. Due to its high strength (3620 MPa), its unique protective properties, low weight and ductility, Kevlar has found wide application in various fields. This material is able to withstand prolonged shock and other loads, not at all deformed.
Since the 1970s, safe and reliable Kevlar has been put into commercial production under extreme conditions. However, at the very beginning it was designed to reinforce the tires of cars, in order to increase their strength and reduce weight. Now they continue this successful practice, and also reinforce fiber-optic and copper cables to prevent their breaking and stretching, mixed fabrics - to give resistance to cutting and abrasive influences. In particular, from these fabrics are made protective inserts in the clothes of athletes and military, helmets and protective Kevlar gloves. The armies of many countries of the world took Kevlar for armament and, using its mechanical properties, are actively used in military equipment and security services. A vivid example of such use are bullet-proof vests.
All products from Kevlar have high heat resistance and resistance to acids and alkalis. The perfect solution is threaded gloves with Kevlar thread: in dangerous and harmful production, which is associated with the possibilities of cuts in glass or sheet metal, constant contact with hot objects (up to 100 ° C), in the food industry, machine building, transportation of glass and other activities they Are irreplaceable. Kevlar gloves are just designed to protect hands from cuts during, for example, mass cutting of fish, poultry, meat, fruits and vegetables. They are light and comfortable - the hands in them "breathe", flexible enough to retain the sensitivity of the hands and allow working with small parts, and also provide an excellent grip - wet (oiled) and dry. Such gloves are produced without a single seam and different sizes, so that everyone can purchase this simple remedy. Kevlar gloves can be used not only as conventional gloves, but also as a lining, and as technical. They do not require special care. They can be washed at 40 ° C with neutral detergents, and they must be dried at room temperature. You can, if desired, turn them in dry cleaning. After repeated use and washing, gloves (mittens) of Kevlar retain their protective properties, shape and appearance, and therefore their service life is long enough.
It is well proven in various activities Kevlar finds application in sports. Skiers, car racers, motorcycle racer and baseball players gladly use kevlar gloves. Their rigidity, impact resistance and heat resistance can reduce the number of injuries or even avoid them altogether.
But Kevlar along with undeniable advantages has a number of shortcomings. At fairly high temperatures (430-480 ° C), it decomposes, and at a temperature of more than 150 ° C it loses its strength. The rate of heating and its duration, of course, also play a role. So, for 70 hours of exposure to a temperature of about 250 ° C, Kevlar gloves will lose 50% of their strength. At low temperatures (up to -190 ° C), on the contrary, strength and elasticity persist. But in everyday life it is impossible to create conditions in which the molecular structure of Kevlar would be destroyed.