M5 fiber
Encyclopedia
M5 fiber is a high-strength synthetic fiber first developed by Dr. Doetze Sikkema and his team at the Dutch chemical firm Akzo Nobel. Currently, it is being produced by the United States Magellan Systems International LLC.
polymerization between tetraaminopyridine and dihydroxyterephthalic acid using diphosphorus pentoxide as a dehydrating agent. The polymer mixture is then heated and extruded to form brightly blue polymer fibers. The fibers are then washed extensively with water and base in order to remove the phosphoric acid
generated by the hydration of diphosphorus pentoxide from the polymer.
In order to remove the water from the fiber structure and enable the intermolecular hydrogen bonds to be created and thus greatly increase the strength of the polymer, the fiber is heated and exposed to controlled stress. This aligns the fibers in the optimal configuration.
(Kevlar
, Twaron
) and UHMWPE (Dyneema, Spectra
).
M5 is more fire resistant than meta-Aramid. It is the most fire resistant organic fiber yet developed. It's less brittle than carbon fiber and will yield when stretched.
Preparation
M5 fiber is prepared by a condensationDehydration reaction
In chemistry and the biological sciences, a dehydration reaction is usually defined as a chemical reaction that involves the loss of water from the reacting molecule. Dehydration reactions are a subset of elimination reactions...
polymerization between tetraaminopyridine and dihydroxyterephthalic acid using diphosphorus pentoxide as a dehydrating agent. The polymer mixture is then heated and extruded to form brightly blue polymer fibers. The fibers are then washed extensively with water and base in order to remove the phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric acid, is a mineral acid having the chemical formula H3PO4. Orthophosphoric acid molecules can combine with themselves to form a variety of compounds which are also referred to as phosphoric acids, but in a more general way...
generated by the hydration of diphosphorus pentoxide from the polymer.
In order to remove the water from the fiber structure and enable the intermolecular hydrogen bonds to be created and thus greatly increase the strength of the polymer, the fiber is heated and exposed to controlled stress. This aligns the fibers in the optimal configuration.
Properties
M5 is stronger than AramidAramid
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"...
(Kevlar
Kevlar
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed at DuPont in 1965, this high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
, Twaron
Twaron
Twaron is the brandname of Teijin Aramid for a para-aramid. It is a heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibre developed in the early 1970s by the Dutch company AKZO, division Enka, later Akzo Industrial Fibers. The research name of the para-aramid fibre was originally Fiber X, but it was soon...
) and UHMWPE (Dyneema, Spectra
Spectra
Spectra are conditions or values that vary over a continuum.Spectra may also refer to:* Kia Spectra, a car developed by Kia Motors from 2000-present* Optare Spectra, a bus body built by Optare...
).
M5 is more fire resistant than meta-Aramid. It is the most fire resistant organic fiber yet developed. It's less brittle than carbon fiber and will yield when stretched.