General Description : An infusible, wholly aromatic polymer that can strictly be described as nylon T,T - but rarely is. Manufactured only as a fiber (by solution spinning), it has a very high thermal stability and temperature and flame resistance. In contrast to its chemical isomer Nomex®, its tensile properties are up to an order of magnitude greater than those of normal textile fibers, because of a high degree of molecular orientation resulting from its stiff linear molecules and their propensity for forming liquid crystals in the spinning solution. In common with the small number of other highly oriented materials, these fibers have a (small) negative CTE in the axial direction.

Quite widely used in composites which are lighter than those based on carbon fiber and electrically insulating. Their mechanical properties are generally inferior; more specifically they have a high specific tensile strength approaching that of carbon fiber composites, but quite low strength in compression. In addition to composites, applications include protective clothing and body armour, friction products, elastomer reinforcement (e.g. hoses and drive belts), ropes and cords and as high strength high modulus fabrics e.g. high performance sailcloths.