GoldeNaija

Nature has given us some amazing materials. There's wood: a material so strong and versatile you can use it for everything from making paper to building houses. There's also wool, with insulation so effective it lets sheep stand outside in the snow all winter. Or how about skin: a material that will repair itself automatically and often completely invisibly in only a matter of days? Truly incredible though these materials are, they're far from perfect for every application, especially in the modern world where the challenges we face are ones nature could never have anticipated. That's why we now rely on synthetic materials such as Kevlar®. It's a plastic strong enough to stop bullets and knives—often described as being "five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis." It has many other uses too, from making boats and bowstrings to reinforcing tires and brake pads. Let's take a closer look at how it's made and what makes it so tough! Kevlar® is a material formed by combining para-phenylenediamine and terephthaloyl chloride. Aromatic polyamide (aramid) threads are the result. They are further refined, by dissolving the threads and spinning them into regular fibres. When woven, Kevlar® forms a strong and flexible material. If layers of the woven Kevlar® are combined with layers of resin, the resulting ‘rigid’ material is light and has twenty times the strength of steel. It is also superior to specialist metal alloys. However, Kevlar® is expensive due to the demands of the manufacturing process and the need for specialist equipment.


Kevlar® has a range of advantages, not only its relative low weight and high strength: Laminated Kevlar® is very stable at high temperatures and it is impact and scratch resistant. Kevlar® is often combined with other materials, to produce textiles with enhanced properties, such as fire resistant clothing for the Fire Services. Kevlar is used in some quality walking boots because it is waterproof (when combined with other materials as a composite) but also breathable, ensuring comfort. When Kevlar is used as a composite with rubber, it retains its flexibility. This composite material is used in the manufacture of Formula One Racing Car petrol tanks. The tank holds the petrol safely, even in the event of an accident. The material cannot be pieced by other car components, even during a high speed impact. The petrol does not escape / leak, avoiding fire and explosions. The lightweight tank, adds to the reduced weight of the entire vehicle, leading to a faster racing car. Can you see the big picture here? A Kevlar phone? Infinix is on the verge of surprising us again with their unique and creative products. Stay tuned as the unfolding continues... #TheFutureisNow