Polymers for super strength

SRI’s polymer yarn. Polymers for super strength – 1980’s

SRI’s patented synthetic polymers, sold commercially by Toyobo Corporation as Zylon®, can be spun into very strong, extremely cut- and heat-resistant yarn that can be woven into fabric. Zylon has a tensile strength that is 1.6 times higher than that of Kevlar.

Applications of the technology include tennis rackets, drive belts for snowmobiles, medical applications, and Formula One race cars. It’s even in some of the Mars exploration rovers.


Read our 75th anniversary blog feature

75 years of innovation: Synthetic polymer, Zylon


Read more from SRI