Benchmark · 4 materials
Twaron vs Kevlar 29 vs Kevlar 49 vs Kevlar 149
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 composite grades.
PropertiesHow to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
How to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
| Property | Twaron | Kevlar 29 | Kevlar 49 | Kevlar 149 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | 3,100 MPa450 ksi | 2,920 MPa424 ksi | 3,000 MPa435 ksi | 3,400 MPa493 ksi |
| Elongation at break% | 3.6 % | 3.6 % | 2.4 % | 1.5 % |
| Elastic modulus (Young's)GPaMsi | 70 GPa10.2 Msi | 70.5 GPa10.2 Msi | 112 GPa16.2 Msi | 175 GPa25.4 Msi |
| Densityg/cm³lb/in³ | 1.44 g/cm³0.052 lb/in³ | 1.44 g/cm³0.052 lb/in³ | 1.44 g/cm³0.052 lb/in³ | 1.47 g/cm³0.053 lb/in³ |
| Max service temp°C°F | 180 °C356 °F | 180 °C356 °F | 160 °C320 °F | 180 °C356 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F |
| Thermal conductivityW/m·KBTU/hr·ft·°F | 0.05 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 0.05 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F |
| Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·Kµin/in·°F | -3.5 µm/m·K-1.9 µin/in·°F | -2 µm/m·K-1.1 µin/in·°F | -2 µm/m·K-1.1 µin/in·°F | -4 µm/m·K-2.2 µin/in·°F |
| Machinability/100 | Poor25 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Processes |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the composite family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength—
87 MPa13 ksifamily median 278 MPa40 ksi590 MPa85 ksi
Tensile strength3,100 MPa450 ksi
3 MPa0 ksifamily median 300 MPa44 ksi4,272 MPa620 ksi
Density1.44 g/cm³0.052 lb/in³
0.08 g/cm³0.003 lb/in³family median 1.77 g/cm³0.064 lb/in³3.02 g/cm³0.109 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)—
60 HBfamily median 170 HB331 HB
Max service temp180 °C356 °F
105 °C221 °Ffamily median 177 °C351 °F841 °C1,545 °F
Elastic modulus (Young's)70 GPa
0.3 GPafamily median 62.5 GPa301 GPa
Elongation at break3.6 %
0.5 %family median 1.6 %8.6 %
Thermal conductivity0.05 W/m·K
0.05 W/m·Kfamily median 0.35 W/m·K144 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity—
< 0.001 % IACSfamily median < 0.001 % IACS< 0.001 % IACS
Machinability25 / 100
11 / 100family median 35 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost70
25family median 7070
TwaronKevlar 29Kevlar 49Kevlar 149
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Twaron | Kevlar 29 | Kevlar 49 | Kevlar 149 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — | — | — |
| Min. machined wall | — | — | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — | — | — |
| Heat treatments | — | — | — | — |
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.