Composite
Twaron
Properties, grades, machining, finishes and uses — values shown for the 1000 condition.
Twaron is a para-aramid fiber from Teijin (density 1.44 g/cm³, tensile strength 3100 MPa, elastic modulus 70 GPa, elongation 3.6 %, service to about 180 °C) that is functionally equivalent to the Kevlar 29 and 49 grades.
Reference datasheet — Twaron is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is Twaron?
Twaron is a para-aramid fiber from Teijin (density 1.44 g/cm³, tensile strength 3100 MPa, elastic modulus 70 GPa, elongation 3.6 %, service to about 180 °C) that is functionally equivalent to the Kevlar 29 and 49 grades. It is widely traded in European and Asian markets and supplied as type 1000 and 2000 yarns, high-modulus 2200-HM, RFL-dipped cord, staple, short-cut fiber, pulp, woven fabric, long-fiber thermoplastic tape and unidirectional AFRP. Drawbacks are the usual aramid ones: no melting point, low compressive strength, moisture pickup, rapid UV degradation and difficult dyeing. Twaron has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 340°C (644 °F). Twaron has a tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi), stronger than 82% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 3.6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is Twaron used for?
- ballistic protection
- ropes and cables
- friction/gasket materials
- composite reinforcement
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 3.6%, better than 80% of composite grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 4.5%, worse than 95% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 94% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades
Twaron properties
Typical room-temperature values for Twaron-1000 (general-purpose para-aramid yarn for ropes, cables, protective textiles and rubber reinforcement), compiled from standards, handbooks and producer data. Each bar shows where the value sits among the composite grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher. Other conditions have their own pages: see tempers.
Physical3
Twaron has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 340°C (644 °F).
Mechanical6
Twaron has a tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi), stronger than 82% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 3.6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal8
Twaron is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is -3.5 µm/m·K (-1.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Twaron has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 54% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Twaron takes about 280 MJ of energy and emits 16 kg of CO₂ — more than 62% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Twaron's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 65% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Twaron grades and fills
Twaron is supplied in 10 conditions, each with its own property set. Open one for its full datasheet. 1000 is what FabDigit quotes unless the drawing says otherwise.
- 1000DefaultGeneral-purpose para-aramid yarn for ropes, cables, protective textiles and rubber reinforcement.3,100 MPa tensile
- AFRP-UDStructural AFRP for impact-tolerant, lightweight panels where low compressive strength is acceptable.1,350 MPa tensile
8 further conditions are listed below with a summary only.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1000Default standard-modulus continuous filament yarn | General-purpose para-aramid yarn for ropes, cables, protective textiles and rubber reinforcement. | — | 3,100 | 3.6 | — | — |
microfilament high-tenacity ballistic yarn | Fine-filament, higher-tenacity type for soft body armour fabrics and lightweight ballistic packages. | — | 3,300 | 3.3 | — | — |
high-modulus filament yarn | Choose where stiffness and low creep matter: optical-cable strength members, composite reinforcement, tension members. | — | 3,200 | 2.6 | — | — |
Adhesive-activated / RFL-dipped cord (rubber reinforcement) | Twisted and RFL-dipped yarn for tyre carcass, hoses and timing/power-transmission belts. | — | 2,400 | 4.5 | — | — |
Staple fibre (crimped, spun-yarn / felt feedstock) | For spun yarns, cut-resistant gloves, heat-protective felts and needled fabrics. | — | 2,400 | 3.6 | — | — |
Short-cut fibre (3–12 mm chopped) | Chopped filament for friction linings, thermoplastic/thermoset compounding and reinforced papers. | — | 3,000 | 3.6 | — | — |
fibrillated aramid pulp | Highly fibrillated, high-surface-area pulp used as an asbestos replacement in friction materials, gaskets, sealants and greases. | — | — | — | — | — |
Woven Twaron fabric (plain/twill ballistic or technical cloth) | Woven cloth (typ. 100–450 g/m²) for soft armour packs, composite reinforcement plies and protective clothing. | — | 2,800 | 3.8 | — | — |
Twaron UD laminate (LFT SB-type, cross-plied ballistic sheet) | 0/90 cross-plied unidirectional aramid in a thermoplastic/rubber-modified matrix for hard armour panels and helmets. | — | 900 | 3 | — | — |
Aramid/epoxy UD composite laminate (≈60 vol % Twaron) | Structural AFRP for impact-tolerant, lightweight panels where low compressive strength is acceptable. | — | 1,350 | 1.8 | — | — |
Working with Twaron
Is Twaron easy to machine?
Cuts fuzz badly — use serrated/hot knives, sharp carbide or PCD tools with high rake and backing plate, or abrasive waterjet; expect rapid tool dulling and hairy edges.
Can Twaron be welded?
Not weldable; joints are made by knotting/splicing, RFL adhesive bonding to rubber, or resin bonding in laminates.
Can Twaron be formed, bent or molded?
Processed by weaving, braiding, filament winding, pultrusion and prepreg lay-up; dry fibre must be conditioned (moisture ≤ 1 %) and vacuum-dried before resin infusion to avoid voids.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. Twaron is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Twaron chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| p-phenylenediamine (PPD) repeat unitone of the two PPTA backbone monomers | ≈ 50 | 50 |
| terephthaloyl (TDC/terephthalic) repeat one of the two PPTA backbone monomers | ≈ 50 | 50 |
| spin finish / surface treatmentspin finish or adhesive-activation treatment, varies by product | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
What surface finishes work on Twaron?
Difficult to dye (usually solution- or pigment-coloured); requires UV-blocking jacket, coating or paint for outdoor service; surface plasma/epoxy sizing improves resin adhesion.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Twaron in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- Also called
How much does Twaron cost?
Twaron is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Twaron — frequently asked
What is Twaron used for?
Twaron is typically used for ballistic protection, ropes and cables, friction/gasket materials and composite reinforcement. In short: direct Kevlar equivalent; broadest aramid form range; widely stocked in Europe.
What is the tensile strength of Twaron?
Twaron has a typical tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi) — stronger than 82% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is Twaron easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 65% of composite grades). Cuts fuzz badly — use serrated/hot knives, sharp carbide or PCD tools with high rake and backing plate, or abrasive waterjet; expect rapid tool dulling and hairy edges.
Can Twaron be welded?
Not weldable; joints are made by knotting/splicing, RFL adhesive bonding to rubber, or resin bonding in laminates.
What surface finishes work on Twaron?
Difficult to dye (usually solution- or pigment-coloured); requires UV-blocking jacket, coating or paint for outdoor service; surface plasma/epoxy sizing improves resin adhesion.
Can Twaron be formed, bent or molded?
Processed by weaving, braiding, filament winding, pultrusion and prepreg lay-up; dry fibre must be conditioned (moisture ≤ 1 %) and vacuum-dried before resin infusion to avoid voids.
What is the maximum service temperature of Twaron?
Twaron is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F), and briefly to 250°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Twaron cost?
Twaron is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Twaron Product Brochure & Technical Guide (yarn, staple, short-cut, pulp) — Teijin Aramid (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 1: Composites — ASM International (1987)
- MMPDS / composite lamina typical property tables (aramid/epoxy) — Battelle (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.