Aramid

• Aramid fibers are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers.
• They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic rated body armor fabric and ballistic composites, in bicycle tires, and as an asbestos substitute. 
• The name is a portmanteau of "aromatic polyamide". They are fibers in which the chain molecules are highly oriented along the fiber axis, so the strength of the chemical bond can be exploited.
• World capacity of para-aramid production is estimated at about 41,000 tonnes/year in 2002 and increases each year by 5–10%.