High Performance Fiber 2007 Archive
High Performance Fiber 2007 was a huge success. 100 participants from 68 companies attended the conference in Washington DC and heard 17 presentations from leading industry experts.
Here's what the attendees had to say about the event:
"A time to regenerate creative ideas through networking with market technology leaders." Director of Research & Technology Development, National Nonwovens
"The subject matter was very informative, each topic well presented and the organizers were extremely helpful — a good conference." Representative, Confederation College
Please see the agenda for more information.
2007 Brochures (PDFs)
For More Information2007 Sponsors
Objective
This international conference is designed for executives from leading manufacturers of high-performance fibers, such as p-aramids (Kevlar® and Twaron®), high-performance polyethylenes (HPPE, Spectra® and Dyneema®), boron, silicon carbide and other specialty fibers, to network with end users, such as OEMs, DoD and other research labs, and composites parts manufacturers. Discussions will cover the diverse business opportunities and technical challenges that lie ahead in high-growth applications such as body and vehicular armor, high-performance rope and cordage and sporting goods, as well as in the blast-resistance, marine, aviation and aerospace markets. In addition, there will be many informal social functions where delegates will have the opportunity to discuss key issues impacting these evolving markets with speakers and attendees from leading companies and institutions from around the world.
The following sessions are planned:
I. Market Assessment and Forecast:
- Regional outlook (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America)
- Growth, supply, demand, of p-aramids, HPPEs, S-2 glass, boron, silicon carbide, and other fibers
- Chopped and non-woven fiber markets
II. New Developments in Defense and Industrial Markets:
- Body armor, vehicular armor, defense and civilian applications
- Sporting goods
- Automotive (tire cord, brake pads, body and truck panels)
- Cordage (halyards, sheets, hawsers, other industrial lines and tethers)
- Infrastructure/Construction: marine and other construction applications (blast mitigation)
- High temperature applicatons
III. Production Methods, Fabric Formation and Composite Consolidation Techniques to Reduce Costs:
- Fiber property and handling issues ( temperature limitations, water and UV resistance, fiber costs, industry marketing initiatives, low cost composite manufacturing methods)
- Resin transfer molding (RTM), resin infusion molding (SCRIMP) and thermoplastic prepregs
- Hybrid fabrics and preforms
- Weaving, knitting, 3D weaving, stitch-bonded fabrics, braiding
IV. Outlook for Fiber Technologies and Applications:
- M5, synthetic spider silk, others
- Advanced ballistic protection systems
- High temperature, oxidative environments
- Oilfield composite technology: offshore oil platforms & deepwater exploration
- Marine (sail and power boats, oceanographic arrays)
Overview
"High-performance" fibers are generally considered those that exhibit high specific strength (tensile strength to weight ratio) combined with high elongation before break. Examples of these are p-aramids (Kevlar® and Twaron®) and high performance polyethylenes (HPPE, Spectra® and Dyneema®). Their high strength, flexibility, and low density make them especially suitable in advanced composite applications, especially in ballistic-resistant materials, such as body armor and lightweight armor for military vehicles. Therefore, military and civil defense applications, and the wars on terror and in Iraq are currently driving demand for capacity increases and fiber research. Now, there are also "super fibers" under development, such as Magellan's M5, which is even lighter in weight, as well as synthetic spider silk materials. However, high-performance fiber is just a term and could be expanded to include any fiber material that exhibits a unique performance property such as Nomex®, used for fire resistance, or, also used for ballistic armors. Kevlar was invented in the 1960s at Dupont by Stephanie Kwolek and first marketed in the 1970s and 1980s. Kevlar is over 5 times as strong as the same thickness of steel, so it offered vast improvements over nylon "flak" vests and steel helmets. Akzo Nobel also developed a p-aramid fiber called Twaron; however, this business was purchased by Teijin in 2000. With recent capacity announcements by Dupont and Teijin, it is estimated that the global production capacity for p-aramid fibers was around 56,000 metric tonnes at the end of 2006. In comparison, the realizable capacity for carbon fibers is only around 27,000 metric tonnes.
The main driver for the renewed growth of the organic and S-2 glass fibers is to increase the chance of survival for soldiers, first responders, and others in war zones or in terrorist attacks. However, they are also used in ropes (not just bungee jumping), tire cords, brake pads, sails and other applications. The p-aramid fibers' main disadvantage has always been that exposure to water and UV significantly decreases its mechanical properties so it must be protected, as E-glass is with silanes. However, there is not a surface finish that works as well with Kevlar as silanes do with glass, so it is generally protected in other ways, such as with Teflon coatings or other methods. The major drawback of the HPPEs is temperature and fire resistance. The new player in the HPF league is Magellan's M5. It is lighter weight, has good heat resistance and good UV resistance. Developed by an Akzo scientist, the technology was eventually bought by an entrepreneur. Recently, Dupont acquired a majority stake in the business.
Inorganic high-performance fibers, such as boron, silicon carbide and other ceramic fibers, are also under intense development to meet future high-performance requirements. Extreme environments encountered in space, or inside high-temperature propulsion systems, for example, are fostering many new research and development projects.
As in all markets, innovation and differentiation to add value is the key to success. Fabric design and weaving technologies can enhance properties as can innovative combinations using various fibers, resins, and composite manufacturing methods. Hybrid fabric designs with carbon fiber, for example, offer more flexibility in meeting design criteria for certain applications as do sizing and coating innovations for weathering protection. Fiber suppliers, research specialists, equipment manufacturers, and composite fabricators must all work together to advance the technology to meet the needs of the future.