Vectran UM (Ultra-high-modulus yarn)
Grade
Use where stiffness and dimensional stability dominate — antenna guys, low-stretch tethers, dimensionally critical composites.
Values for the UM 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 | — |
UMThis page Ultra-high-modulus yarn | Use where stiffness and dimensional stability dominate — antenna guys, low-stretch tethers, dimensionally critical composites. | — | 3,100 | 2.2 | — |
HTDefault 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 UM?
Vectran UM is Vectran in the UM grade — use where stiffness and dimensional stability dominate — antenna guys, low-stretch tethers, dimensionally critical composites. Vectran UM has a tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi), stronger than 83% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). Vectran UM has a density of 1.41 g/cm³ (0.0509 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F). HT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; UM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 94% of composite grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 77% of composite grades
Vectran UM properties
Typical room-temperature values for Vectran UM; 12 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 UM has a density of 1.41 g/cm³ (0.0509 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical5
Vectran UM has a tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi), stronger than 83% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal8
Vectran UM is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is -4.8 µm/m·K (-2.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Vectran UM 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 UM 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 UM's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 77% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Vectran UM
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 UM — frequently asked
What is Vectran UM used for?
Vectran UM 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 UM?
Vectran UM has a typical tensile strength of 3,100 MPa (450 ksi) — stronger than 83% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Vectran UM easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 77% 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 UM 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 UM?
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 UM 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 UM?
Vectran UM 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.