New Materials

Kevlar

•Properties: strong, light, flexible, heat resistant and electrically

insulating

•Properties make it suitable for protective clothing such as body

armour and strong gloves

•Can also be used to make ropes on ships and oil rigs

Thinsulate

•Consists of thin fibres which traps a lot of air

•This makes it good for insulation

•Used for ski clothes and outdoor clothing

Lycra

•The material is stretchable and crease resistant

•Used in items that cling to the skin

•E.g. swimwear, sportswear and tights

Carbon fibre

•Properties: strong and light

•Combined with plastic to make the body of F1 cars

•Used to make bike frames, tennis rackets and fishing rods

Gore-Tex• Properties: tough, lightweight, waterproof.

• Another main property is that Gore-Tex is

“breathable”. In this context it means that water can

escape through the material but water cannot enter

in.

• Used to make thermal jackets, gloves and boots.