Aromatic polyamides were first introduced in commercial applications in the early 1960s, with a meta-aramid (Nomex®) & a para-aramid (Kevlar®) fibre produced by DuPont. These fibres, handle similarly to normal textile apparel fibres but have excellent resistance to heat, as they neither melt nor ignite in normal levels of oxygen.
They are used extensively in the production of protective apparel, air filtration, thermal and electrical insulation as well as a substitute for asbestos in friction plates.
Meta-aramid is also produced by Teijin under the tradename Conex®.
