Vectran
Vectran is a manufactured fibre, spun from a liquid crystal polymer created by Celanese Acetate LLC and now manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. Chemically it is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid.[1]
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[edit] Properties
These fibres are noted for thermal stability at high temperatures, high strength and modulus, low creep, and good chemical stability. They are moisture resistant and are generally stable in hostile environments. They have gold color. They are often used in combination with some polyester as a coating around Vectran core; polyurethane coating can improve abrasion resistance and act as a water barrier. Vectran has melting point of 330 °C, with progressive strength loss from 220 °C. As it has high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, it can be used outside for long term, if inspected regularly.
[edit] Usage
They are used as reinforcing (matrix) fibres for ropes, cables, sailcloth, and advanced composite materials, professional bike tires, and in electronics applications. Perhaps most notably, Vectran is used as one of the five layers in NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designed by Hamilton Sundstrand and was the fabric used for the airbags on the Mars Pathfinder in 1997[2] and on the twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity missions in 2004, which allowed those craft to "soft land" on Mars.[3] The material is expected to be used again on NASA's 2011 Mars Science Laboratory in the bridle cables.[citation needed]
Vectran is also used in a line of inflatable spacecraft developed by Bigelow Aerospace,[4] two of which, Genesis I and Genesis II (launched in 2006 and 2007, respectively) are still operating nominally as of 2011 after more than 10,000 orbits and traveling over 270 million miles each.[5][6] Multiple layers of Vectran will be used in the Bigelow Sundancer expandable spacecraft, being assembled in Nevada during 2010, and the Bigelow BA-330 spacecraft which NASA "is considering connecting ... to the ISS to verify their safety by testing life support, radiation shielding, thermal control and communications capabilities."[7]
Vectran fibres are also used in manufacturing badminton strings such as Yonex BG-85 and BG-80.[8]
[edit] Production
Kuraray Co., Ltd. began manufacturing Vectran in 1990. As of June 2007[update], Kuraray has owned 100% of the worldwide Vectran production since 2005 when they acquired the Vectran business from Celanese Advanced Materials Inc. (CAMI), based in South Carolina, U.S.[9]
The total capacity of Vectran expanded from about 600 tons/yr in 2007 to 1000 tons/yr in 2008.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Vectran molecular structure". http://www.vectranfiber.com/BrochureProductInformation/MolecularStructure.aspx. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
- ^ Vectran Fiber -- Roll Goods and Custom Applications, Warwick Mills, "woven Vectran to strengthen fabric for use [on] NASA's Pathfinder mission to Mars", accessed 2010-03-04.
- ^ Vectran Product Properties and Applications -- Industrial/Military/Aerospace, "The success of the [Pathfinder] landing has led to the selection of this same technology using Vectran fiber for two additional rover landings in 2004.", accessed 2010-03=04.
- ^ Inflatable space module puffs up, Jonathan Fildes, BBC News, 14 Jul 2006
- ^ Malik, Tariq (2008-05-09). "Private Space Station Prototype Hits Orbital Milestone". Space.com. http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080509-bigelow-genesis1-milestone.html. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
- ^ "Genesis II Completes 10,000 Orbits!". BigelowAerospace.com. 2009-04-23. http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/?Genesis_II_Completes_10,000_Orbits!. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
- ^ NASA turned on by blow-up space stations, Paul Marks, NewScientist, 2010-03-03, accessed 2010-03-03.
- ^ "Yonex 2011 Catalog". http://www.yonex.com/badminton/webcatalog2011/#page=31. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ a b "Kuraray Expands VECTRAN Superfiber Manufacturing" (Press release). Kuraray via K-Online.de. 2007-06-22. http://www.k-online.de/cipp/md_k/custom/pub/content,lang,2/oid,7135. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
[edit] External links
- Vectran official site
- Kuraray official site
- Vectran fiber weaver
- long fibre spun yarn
- Technora, aramid fiber
- Vectran in Mars rover airbags
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