Polymer fiber PBO Zylon®

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PBO, for poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), branded Zylon® (Toyobo - Japan), is a special material in fibres with high mechanical and thermal performance. From the LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) family, it is often wrongly described like a "super (para) aramid". Certainly, in type of performance and behaviour (mechanical and thermal resistance, decomposition without melting), we are close to it, however, at the level of the macromolecular chain of the polymer and in performance levels, PBO fibres outperform para aramids. The tensile strength of this fibre is the highest of the textile materials marketed on an industrial scale (37cN/dtex). This simply makes it the strongest fibre in the world marketed at these volumes. Its thermal resistance is also one of the highest (degradation temperature: 650°C / LOI: 68), meaning a difference of almost 100°C with para aramids. Its Achilles' heel, its weaknesses, are linked to the high sensitivity not only to ultraviolet light but to the whole spectrum of visible light. The price of this very special fibre is also related to its outstanding performances and complex manufacturing technologies. This fibre is available in "regular" (type AS) and "high modulus" (type HM). Other advantages of Zylon® are excellent creep resistance, very good anti-cutting performance, minimal temperature shrinkage, abrasion resistance close to para aramids, good mechanical fatigue resistance and resistance to a wide range of chemicals. Technical data of Zylon® PBO ténacity : 37cN/dtex Elongation : 3.5%-2.5%(HM) Modulus : 1150cN/dtex (AS) - 1720cN/tex (HM) degradation temperature : 650°C Density : 1.54g/cm3 (AS)-1.56g/cm3 (HM) Colour: yellow-orange