Vectran HT
Heat-treated state · default condition
HT = high-tenacity heat-treated multifilament yarn
Default choice for ropes, slings, tethers, inflatables and composite reinforcement where maximum strength and minimum creep matter.
Values for the HT condition
Other Vectran grades and fills
Vectran is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Vectran.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vectran/epoxy unidirectional laminate | Use as a tough, impact- and abrasion-resistant laminate layer (often hybridised with carbon) where low compressive strength can be tolerated. | — | 1,400 | 2.6 | — |
As-spun standard-tenacity yarn | Pick when the yarn must be thermally bonded/fused or when moderate tenacity with a lower melting point is acceptable (hoses, coated fabrics, hybrid weaves). | — | 1,450 | 3.3 | — |
HT Black | Choose for outdoor ropes, tethers and sailcloth where sunlight exposure is unavoidable and a jacket is impractical. | — | 3,050 | 3.7 | — |
Ultra-high-modulus yarn | Use where stiffness and dimensional stability dominate — antenna guys, low-stretch tethers, dimensionally critical composites. | — | 3,100 | 2.2 | — |
HTDefaultThis page High-tenacity heat-treated multifilament yarn | Default choice for ropes, slings, tethers, inflatables and composite reinforcement where maximum strength and minimum creep matter. | — | 3,200 | 3.8 | — |
What is Vectran HT?
Vectran HT is Vectran heat treated to HT — default choice for ropes, slings, tethers, inflatables and composite reinforcement where maximum strength and minimum creep matter. Vectran HT has a tensile strength of 3,200 MPa (464 ksi), stronger than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 3.8% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). Vectran HT has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 94% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 3.8%, better than 83% of composite grades
Vectran HT properties
Typical room-temperature values for Vectran HT; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Vectran reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical5
Vectran HT has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical5
Vectran HT has a tensile strength of 3,200 MPa (464 ksi), stronger than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 3.8% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal8
Vectran HT is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 63% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is -4.8 µm/m·K (-2.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Vectran HT is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 94% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Vectran HT takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Vectran HT's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 73% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Vectran HT
Is Vectran easy to machine?
Fabrics and laminates fuzz badly with conventional blades — use ultrasonic knives, hot knives (Tm 330 °C) or water-jet, and diamond-coated/serrated tooling for trimming.
Can Vectran be welded?
HT yarn cannot be fusion-joined below its 330 °C melt without strength loss; NT grade can be heat-set/thermally bonded, otherwise use splices, whipping or adhesive terminations.
Can Vectran be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as yarn — braided, woven or filament-wound; in composites use low-temperature-cure epoxy or PU (<130 °C) and avoid sharp bends that trigger compressive kink bands.
What surface finishes work on Vectran?
Surface is smooth and low-energy; use plasma/corona or a chemical primer before coating or resin impregnation, and add a UV-opaque jacket or pigment for outdoor service.
Vectran 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) unitsmol% of aromatic copolyester backbone | 70 – 80 | 73 |
| 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA) unitsmol% | 20 – 30 | 27 |
| spin finish / sizingsurface, wt% on yarn | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
Vectran HT — frequently asked
What is Vectran HT used for?
Vectran HT is typically used for inflatable space structures, high-performance ropes and sails, specialty composites and cut-resistant fabrics. In short: lowest creep organic fiber; melts at 330 C; excellent abrasion resistance.
What is the tensile strength of Vectran HT?
Vectran HT has a typical tensile strength of 3,200 MPa (464 ksi) — stronger than 84% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Vectran HT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 73% of composite grades). Fabrics and laminates fuzz badly with conventional blades — use ultrasonic knives, hot knives (Tm 330 °C) or water-jet, and diamond-coated/serrated tooling for trimming.
Can Vectran HT be welded?
HT yarn cannot be fusion-joined below its 330 °C melt without strength loss; NT grade can be heat-set/thermally bonded, otherwise use splices, whipping or adhesive terminations.
What surface finishes work on Vectran HT?
Surface is smooth and low-energy; use plasma/corona or a chemical primer before coating or resin impregnation, and add a UV-opaque jacket or pigment for outdoor service.
Can Vectran HT be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as yarn — braided, woven or filament-wound; in composites use low-temperature-cure epoxy or PU (<130 °C) and avoid sharp bends that trigger compressive kink bands.
What is the maximum service temperature of Vectran HT?
Vectran HT is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 220°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Vectran Liquid Crystal Polymer Fiber — Product & Technical Guide — Kuraray Co., Ltd. (2022)
- Vectra Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) resin data — Celanese (2021)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Handbook of Properties of Textile and Technical Fibres — Woodhead/Elsevier (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.