Kevlar in F1 ??

[PNSD]

I cant find much around the net, so i though, this is probably the best place to ask..

so how is kevlar used in F1 ?

[FW 21]

Kevlar is used in making wishbones (usually the leading edges for stone protection), headrests, front wing endplates, turning vanes and parts of the sidepods where an electronic signal must pass.

[PNSD]

why an electronic signal?
i have to do a very small, 4slide max, and 5/10mins max presentation of kevlar in aerospace..

not marked or anything, just a time waster if you will.

and of course i would love to include f1 in this, finding applications for aerospace will be slightly easier, its just im not so sure where is used in f1, so thankyou

I know its used in bell helmets too. but i wont talk about that given the time i have.

[FW 21]

Normal carbon doesnt allow signals to pass through (or hampers them considerably), but they can pass through kevlar.

Sometimes when you see inside an engine cover for example, you may notice a yellow square or circle. This is the kevlar patch.

[PNSD]

Normal carbon doesnt allow signals to pass through (or hampers them considerably), but they can pass through kevlar.

Sometimes when you see inside an engine cover for example, you may notice a yellow square or circle. This is the kevlar patch.

wow, never knew that!

interesting , thankyou! you do learn something new everyday!

[FW 21]

You are welcome.

Its two uses are for anti intrusion/penetration and for electronic reasons. Its not really for strength or structural uses in F1.

Im not sure about aerospace, but I assume its the same.

[Fan Solo]

Im pretty sure Kevlar is also the choice for the satefy straps that hold the wheels to the chassis in a crash.

[FW 21]

Im pretty sure Kevlar is also the choice for the satefy straps that hold the wheels to the chassis in a crash.

Thats true (I forgot about that), it consists of many tiny strands woven together into a very thin string. Then many of these strings are simply spiralled together into a rope about 15 mm thick

[ss_collins]

its also used as honeycomb I believe

[FW 21]

its also used as honeycomb I believe

Not that I have seen or heard of.

I have only seen Nomex or aluminium honeycomb.

[Ciro Pabón]

Kevlar is also used in HANS, if I remember well an interview with Mr. Hubbard (?), its inventor. I don't know if FW 21 already mentioned that, when he talked about headrests.

I'm pretty sure it was used with carbon fiber, don't ask me how, to make chassises in the early 80's; I also don't know if only in the role described (for chipping protection).

I do know some racing seats (not in F1) are made of CFK, wich is Carbon Fiber Kevlar composite, or so that's what their makers claim. I wonder what's that (CFK) and if that's what was used in F1 25 years ago, or if this is the composite form of Kevlar ss_collins is talking about.

I understand you will not mention helmets, but it's also used in them (with lexan on the visor, btw).

Reading about satellite antennas I found what FW 21 explains: Kevlar is used to build parts that have to be transparent to some radio waves and carbon is utilized where radio doesn't have to pass through.

Fuel bladders were (or maybe still are) reinforced with Kevlar.

Kevlar is also used as reinforcement in tires (I think that was its first application), but I'm not sure if F1 tires have it.

[Carlos]

[IMG:200:192]http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4332/g ... oamok4.jpg[/img]
Kevlar Honeycomb

Nomex and Kevlar are closely related, both are aramid polymers; Kevlar a para-aramid, both are available as fiber, chopped fiber and pulp, honeycomb is made from pulp and resin. The first link below is the most interesting, describing Kevlars physical characteristics.

"KEVLAR is an organic, para-aramid man-made fiber technology which combines high strength with light weight, and comfort with protection. This material is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis, which means that it can provide more lightweight, flexible and comfortable protection than steel armor. This material has high tensile strength at low weight, structural rigidity, toughness, high resistance to chemicals and fire."

Kevlar honeycomb promises to be a real breakthrough in addressing structural core needs, since the high strength and stiffness of Kevlar allows for use of lower density cores resulting in a huge potential for weight savings over Nomex and other commonly used materials.

Kevlar honeycomb core offers all of the advantages of first generation aramids but with superior shear strength, modulus, fatigue resistance, dimensional stability and hot/wet properties. With typical weight savings of 20-45% as compared to Nomex and other core materials. Kevlar honeycomb is available in many configurations. a range of cell sizes and density. This material is currently undergoing evaluation with Lockheed, Bell, Airbus, Boeing and other commercial and military manufacturers. At the same time, Companies are evaluating the benefits of this material as an alternate to Nomex in select advanced composite sandwich panel designs.
Kevlar honeycomb's ability to deliver superior mechanical properties at a lower weight combine to make it an attractive alternative in many applications. An alternative to Nomex. I have paraphased, cut and pasted from a variety of sources.

http://www.plascore.com/honeycomb/pdf/pk2.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramid

[FW 21]

Kevlar is also used in HANS, if I remember well an interview with Mr. Hubbard (?), its inventor. I don't know if FW 21 already mentioned that, when he talked about headrests.

I'm pretty sure it was used with carbon fiber, don't ask me how, to make chassises in the early 80's; I also don't know if only in the role described (for chipping protection).

I do know some racing seats (not in F1) are made of CFK, wich is Carbon Fiber Kevlar composite, or so that's what their makers claim. I wonder what's that (CFK) and if that's what was used in F1 25 years ago, or if this is the composite form of Kevlar ss_collins is talking about.

I understand you will not mention helmets, but it's also used in them (with lexan on the visor, btw).

Reading about satellite antennas I found what FW 21 explains: Kevlar is used to build parts that have to be transparent to some radio waves and carbon is utilized where radio doesn't have to pass through.

Fuel bladders were (or maybe still are) reinforced with Kevlar.

Kevlar is also used as reinforcement in tires (I think that was its first application), but I'm not sure if F1 tires have it.

Im not so sure about hans (or not all of them at least) I made one a couple of years ago purely in carbon, but it may have changed by now.

I havent laminated Kevlar hybrid into F1 chassis, but when I was making IRL chassis it was included.

It was/is also used in Le Mans chassis.

[Jagboy]

I'm relatively sure that the fuel cells are nearly exclusively Kevlar.


JB

[FW 21]

I'm relatively sure that the fuel cells are nearly exclusively Kevlar.


JB

You are correct, the kevlar is laminated into the cell shape with a flexible resin.