New smartphone features para-aramid fiber back panel

Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) announced Dec. 25 that Technora black, the company’s strong and flame-retardant para-aramid fiber, has been selected for use in the back panel of the newest AQUOS zero, SHARP’s flagship smartphone model, which was released on Dec. 21.

The AQUOS zero, which weighs 146g, has a plastic back panel reinforced with Technora black para-aramid and a frame made of magnesium alloy. It will reportedly be the world’s lightest smartphone in a class of 6-inch screen and a battery capacity rated above 3,000mAh.

Teijin says aramid fiber reinforced plastic is expected to contribute to the development of advanced, extra-high-speed mobile devices due to its light weight, electric insulation and dielectric constant property for minimized electromagnetic interference. According to the company, Technora para-aramid fiber is designed to be eight times stronger than steel as well as heat- and shock-resistant, making it well suited for broad applications ranging from rope, timing belts, racing car seats and car hoods to spacecraft.