| Fiber Type |
Heat |
Bleaches & Solvents |
Acids & Alkalis |
Abrasion |
Mildew, Aging & Sunlight |
| Polyester |
Softens at 465F. Melts at 500F. |
Excellent |
Good resistance to weak alkalis & weak acids. Moderate resistance to strong acids & alkali. |
Excellent |
Excellent resistance to mildew, good aging. Degrades after prolonged exposure to sunlight. |
| Nylon |
Melts at 419F to 430F. |
Will bleach. Degrades in mineral acids & oxidizing agents. Insoluble in organic solvents |
Resists weak acids, inert to alkalis. Hydrolyzed by strong acids |
Excellent |
Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Prolonged sun exposure can cause degradation. |
| Polyethylene |
Melts at 525F |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good to Poor |
Excellent resistance to mildew. |
| Spandez® / Lycra® |
Sticks at 350- 390F. Melts above 500F. |
Good resistance to oxidizing agents. Poor resistance to bleaches. |
Good |
Good in diluted (weak), but degrades in strong acids & bases. |
Excellent aging and mildew resistance. Good resistance to sunlight. |
| Fiberglass (E & S Glass) |
Does not burn or melt |
Excellent solvent & bleach resistance. |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
| Aramid Kelvar®, Nomex®, Tarwon®, Technora®, etc.) |
Difficult to ignite. Does not burn or melt. Decomposes at 800F to 932F. |
Poor in bleach. Excellent solvent resistance. |
Good in dilute acids & bases. Poor in strong acids & bases. |
Fair to Good |
Excellent resistance to mildew & aging. Degrades when exposed to sunlight. |
| Fluorocarbon - Teflon® (PTFE) |
Very heat resistant –350F to 550F. Melts at 620F. |
Essentially inert to bleaches & solvents |
Excellent but effected by acids & alkali at high temperatures. |
Good |
Excellent |
| PBI |
Will not ignite or melt. Decomposes at 860F. |
Excellent |
Excellent. Some strength loss in alkali at elevated temperatures. |
Good |
Good resistance to mildew & aging. Sunlight causes a darkening & some loss in tensile. |
| Vectran® |
Melts at 625F 330C |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good resistance to mildew and aging. Sunlight causes degradation |
| Dyneema® & Spectra® |
Melts at 399F 150C. |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
Excellent |
Fiber Physical & Chemical Properties