Aramid is a manufactured fiber that is chemically similar to nylon but is stronger by weight than steel. Like nylon fibers, aramids are made of chemical compounds called amides. The amides are linked to aromatic rings (rings of six carbon atoms) to form long, chainlike molecules called polymers. But unlike the amides in nylons, at least 85 percent of the amides in aramids are attached directly to two aromatic rings. This arrangement results in a fiber much stronger and more heat-resistant than nylon.
Aramids are used in many products, including tires, parachutes, reinforced tape, and bulletproof vests. They are also used as a reinforcing material in boat hulls and the bodies of aircraft. Aramids are manufactured under the trade names Kevlar and Nomex.
