Stephanie Kwolek, in full Stephanie Louise Kwolek, (born July 31, 1923, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, U.S.—died June 18, 2014, Wilmington, Delaware), American chemist, a pioneer in polymer research whose work yielded Kevlar, an ultrastrong and ultrathick material best known for
its use in bulletproof vests
.
How did Stephanie Kwolek invent Kevlar?
She started working as chemist for DuPont in 1946. In 1965 Kwolek invented Kevlar, the strong and lightweight fibers that go into bulletproof vests, among other safety applications. … Kwolek discovered Kevlar
while working with polymers for tires
.
What is Stephanie Kwolek known for?
Stephanie Kwolek, in full Stephanie Louise Kwolek, (born July 31, 1923, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, U.S.—died June 18, 2014, Wilmington, Delaware), American chemist, a pioneer in polymer research whose work yielded Kevlar, an ultrastrong and ultrathick material best known for
its use in bulletproof vests
.
Where did Stephanie Kwolek discover Kevlar?
The inventor of Kevlar, the lightweight fibre used in bulletproof vests and body armour, has died aged 90. Stephanie Kwolek was a chemist at the DuPont company in
Wilmington, Delaware
, when she invented the stronger-than-steel fibre in 1965.
What type of engineer is Stephanie Kwolek?
Stephanie Kwolek was a famous American inventor and
chemist
best known for developing Kevlar, a poly synthetic material designed to be highly resistant. Due to its lightweight design, her invention is very commonly used within law enforcement and the armed forces.
How old was Stephanie Kwolek when she died?
Stephanie L. Kwolek, the DuPont chemist whose synthesis of the first liquid-crystal polymer led to the development of Kevlar, the light, superstrong aramid fiber used in bulletproof vests, body armor, tires, and countless types of sports equipment, died in Wilmington, Del., on June 18. She was
90 years old
.
Can Kevlar stop a knife?
Kevlar® is used in both bulletproof and stab proof vests. … The sharp edge of
the knife is then unable to penetrate through to the flesh
because it is caught within the Kevlar® weaving. Although the cutting motion will damage the vest carrier, the wearer will be protected from the knife.
Is Kevlar expensive?
Kevlar production is expensive
because of the difficulties arising from using concentrated sulfuric acid, needed to keep the water-insoluble polymer in solution during its synthesis and spinning.
What was before Kevlar?
Ballistic nylon
(until the 1970s) or Kevlar, Twaron or Spectra (a competitor for Kevlar) or polyethylene fiber could be used to manufacture bullet proof vests.
Where is Kevlar used?
Kevlar is a type of aramid fiber. It is woven into textile materials and is extremely strong and lightweight, with resistance toward corrosion and heat. It is used in vast applications such as
aerospace engineering (such as the body of the aircraft), body armor, bulletproof vests, car brakes, and boats
.
Who invented Kevlar armor?
After a pizza delivery turned into a shootout, former US Marine
and pizza delivery guy Richard Davis
developed a bulletproof vest using Kevlar. During testing, he shot himself in the chest 190 times. Variants of Davis’ original design are still used by police and military personnel today.
Who invented Kevlar?
In 1965
Stephanie Kwolek
created the first of a family of synthetic fibers of exceptional strength and stiffness. The best-known member is Kevlar, a material used in protective vests as well as in boats, airplanes, ropes, cables, and much more—in total about 200 applications.
How strong is Kevlar?
Kevlar has a measured tensile strength of
about 3,620 megapascals
, whereas nylon has a tensile strength of about 75 megapascals (depending on the types of nylon and Kevlar).
Who invented Kevlar and Teflon?
Stephanie Louise Kwolek
(/ˈkwoʊlɛk/; July 31, 1923 – June 18, 2014) was an American chemist who is known for inventing Kevlar. Her career at the DuPont company spanned more than 40 years.
Who did Stephanie Kwolek get married?
Kwolek never married
, and dedicated her entire life to her profession. She received several awards and acknowledgments for her discoveries, and lived a long and fruitful life. She died June 18, 2014, at the age of 90. For the younger generations, she had this message: “I tell young people to reach for the stars.
