New Composite Material with Kevlar for Automotive Applications

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - -DuPont is leveraging the strength and toughness of Kevlar to play a role in the automotive parts industry. DuPont, has developed a new composite material, combining Kevlar with a flexible plastic. DuPont sees the material as a longer-lasting competitor to traditional rubber. The company plans to sell it to auto parts makers as a material for tires, hoses, belts and gaskets. DuPont currently provides Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. with the Kevlar for its Fortera with SilentArmor Technology, Wrangler with SilentArmor Technology and Goodyear Eagle with ResponsEdge tires. Each tire has a layer of Kevlar between the tread and its steel belts which reduces vibration and road noise. Jim Davis, a Goodyear spokesman said the company has had great success with the tires. The article said the idea for the new product came from discussions with auto parts makers.