spore: profile
id: vectran
spore_version: 0.2
family: polyesters
name: Vectran (LCP fibre HT and UM)
abbreviation: Vectran
role: high-strength liquid-crystal-polymer fibre for webbing, cords, airbags and spacesuit softgoods
category: textiles
type: vectran
summary: |
  Vectran is a liquid-crystal-polymer fibre, an aromatic polyester made by Kuraray. Kuraray gives a density of 1.40 g/cm3 and a tenacity of 24.3 cN/dtex for the HT grade, and MiniFIBERS gives a modulus of about 75 GPa. Vectran was the airbag fabric for Mars landings from Mars Pathfinder onward, and NASA's 2004 literature table gives a maximum use temperature of 150 °C with 55% of tenacity left at 150 °C.
best_for: Light, low-moisture straps, cords and softgoods that must stay strong, such as solar-array tie-downs. Kuraray gives a moisture content ratio of 0.1% at 90% RH for the HT grade.
weakest_at: 'Heat and creep under long loads: NASA''s literature table gives 150 °C as the maximum use temperature and 55% tenacity at 150 °C, and NASA''s 2004 test found creep is not zero.'
identity:
  formula: Aromatic polyester (thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer) made from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid; no repeat unit is printed in the sources read
  source: wiki-vectran
  where: Opening section, composition sentence (polycondensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid)
tags:
  environments:
    - mars-surface
  stresses:
    - extreme-heat
    - uv
    - vacuum-and-outgassing
  applications:
    - structures
    - solar-arrays
    - habitats-and-suits
    - rovers-and-surface-systems
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, VECTRAN HT
    value: 1.4
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Printed as 1.40 g/cm3 in Kuraray's basic physical properties table; no test standard printed
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Density (g/cm3), HT column
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, VECTRAN UM
    value: 1.4
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN UM
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Printed as 1.40 g/cm3 in Kuraray's basic physical properties table; no test standard printed
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Density (g/cm3), UM column
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, Vectran HT (data sheet range)
    value: 1.4
    value_high: 1.41
    bound: range
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
      basis: range printed on the data sheet
    method: Printed as 1.40-1.41 g/cm3 in the MiniFIBERS property list; no test standard printed
    status: ground
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Density'
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, Vectran (NASA literature table)
    value: 1.47
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature value in NASA's table of high-strength fibres, Vectran row
      product_as_named: Vectran HS
    method: Literature value compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table does not give a test method
    status: ground
    note: Disagrees with the 1.40 g/cm3 that Kuraray prints for HT and UM; both are kept with their sources.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 1 (Comparison of High Strength Fibers), Vectran row, density column
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, VECTRAN HT
    note: "Same Kuraray table prints 18.9 cN/dtex for the regular aramid comparison column, under the same test footnote."
    value: 24.3
    unit: cN/dtex
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page; the page prints no ISO or ASTM standard
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Tensile strength (cN/dtex), HT column, footnote **
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, VECTRAN UM
    value: 19.1
    unit: cN/dtex
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN UM
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page; the page prints no ISO or ASTM standard
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Tensile strength (cN/dtex), UM column, footnote **
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tenacity, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 3.2
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
      approximation: printed with a tilde, so approximate
    method: Printed as ~3.2 GPa on the MiniFIBERS property list; the same line also prints ~25.9 g/den
    status: ground
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Tenacity'
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, Vectran (NASA literature table 1)
    value: 3.2
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature value in NASA's table of high-strength fibres, Vectran row
      product_as_named: Vectran HS
    method: Literature value compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table does not give a test method
    status: ground
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 1 (Comparison of High Strength Fibers), Vectran row, strength column
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tenacity, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 2.9
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 tenacity row
      also_printed: 23 gpd
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table gives no test method
    status: ground
    note: Lower than the 3.2 GPa in NASA's Table 1 and in the MiniFIBERS sheet; both are kept.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2 (Summary of Literature Properties for Vectran and Kevlar 49), Tenacity row, Vectran column
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Breaking elongation, VECTRAN HT
    value: 3.6
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Breaking elongation (%), HT column, footnote **
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Breaking elongation, VECTRAN UM
    value: 2.3
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN UM
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Breaking elongation (%), UM column, footnote **
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 4
    bound: upper
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
    method: Printed as <4.0% on the MiniFIBERS property list
    status: ground
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Elongation'
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Initial modulus, VECTRAN HT
    value: 530
    unit: cN/dtex
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Initial modulus (cN/dtex), HT column, footnote **
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Initial modulus, VECTRAN UM
    value: 740
    unit: cN/dtex
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN UM
      yarn: 1670 dtex yarn, 80 T/M
      test: Kuraray in-house tensile method
    method: Kuraray in-house tensile method, marked by footnote ** on the page
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Initial modulus (cN/dtex), UM column, footnote **
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 75
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
      approximation: printed with a tilde, so approximate
    method: Printed as ~75 GPa on the MiniFIBERS property list
    status: ground
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Modulus'
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus, Vectran (NASA literature table 1)
    value: 91
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature value in NASA's table of high-strength fibres, Vectran row
      product_as_named: Vectran HS
    method: Literature value compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table does not give a test method
    status: ground
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 1 (Comparison of High Strength Fibers), Vectran row, modulus column
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 65
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 modulus row
      also_printed: 525 gpd
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table gives no test method
    status: ground
    note: Lower than the 75 GPa (MiniFIBERS) and 91 GPa (NASA Table 1) values; all three are kept.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2 (Summary of Literature Properties for Vectran and Kevlar 49), Modulus row, Vectran column
  - benchmark: decomposition_temperature
    label: Decomposition temperature, VECTRAN HT
    value: 480
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      method_as_printed: measured by TG-DTA
    method: Printed as 480 ℃ with the note 'measured by TG-DTA'; the page's same table prints the aramid comparison column at 550 ℃
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Decomposition temperature (℃), HT column, footnote *
  - benchmark: decomposition_temperature
    label: Decomposition temperature, VECTRAN UM
    value: 472
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN UM
      method_as_printed: measured by TG-DTA
    method: Printed as 472 ℃ with the note 'measured by TG-DTA'
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Decomposition temperature (℃), UM column, footnote *
  - benchmark: decomposition_temperature
    label: Decomposition, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 400
    bound: lower
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
    method: Printed as decomposes at >400 °C (752 °F) on the MiniFIBERS property list
    status: ground
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Effect of Heat'
  - benchmark: decomposition_temperature
    label: Weight loss 50% by TGA, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 550
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 TGA row
      test: TGA, 50% weight loss, as printed
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table gives no heating rate
    status: ground
    note: Different test from the Kuraray TG-DTA value (480 °C); the two are not comparable and both are kept.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, row TGA 50% weight loss, Vectran column
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 330
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 melting point row
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the 2014 NASA webbing report also states it melts at 330°C
    status: ground
    note: The MiniFIBERS sheet says Vectran softens at 300 °C and does not melt, so the sources disagree on whether it melts.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, Melting Point row, Vectran column
  - benchmark: softening_temperature
    label: Softening temperature, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 300
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
      note_as_printed: softens; does not melt
    method: Printed as softens at 300 °C / 572 °F on the MiniFIBERS property list; it is not a Vicat or HDT test
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: softening temperature is not in the canonical property list; it is not a Vicat or heat deflection result.'
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Effect of Heat'
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Maximum use temperature, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 150
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 maximum use temperature row
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table gives no method for the limit
    status: ground
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, row Max Use Temperature, Vectran column
  - benchmark: tenacity_retention_150c
    label: Tenacity retained at 150 °C, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 55
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 '% Tenacity at 150 ºC' row
      exposure: 150 °C, as printed
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the table gives no exposure time
    status: ground
    note: 'Kevlar 49 keeps 81% on the same row. Custom name: tenacity retention at a given temperature is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, row % Tenacity at 150 ºC, Vectran column
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Mean CTE, Vectran (20 to 145 °C, Celanese value quoted by NASA)
    value: -4.8
    unit: µm/m-°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      range: 20 to 145 °C
      source_says: reported by Celanese, the manufacturer
      unit_in_source: m/m - ºC x 10^6 in Table 2
    method: Quoted in NASA/TM-2004-212773 text and Table 2 (CTE 20-145 ºC row, Vectran column)
    status: ground
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: CTE Testing section, sentence 'A CTE of -4.8 µm/m-°C from 20 to 145 °C was reported by Celanese'; Appendix A, Table 2, CTE row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Mean CTE, Vectran (measured by NASA GSFC, 125 to 0 °C)
    value: -5.78
    unit: µm/m-°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      range: 125 °C to 0 °C
      heating_range: '-150 °C to 150 °C'
    method: Measured by NASA GSFC on Vectran fibre specimens in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the report says the CTE is not linear
    status: ground
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: CTE Testing section, first paragraph
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture content ratio, VECTRAN HT
    value: 0.1
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      humidity: 90% RH
    method: Printed as 'Moisture content ratio (%, 90%RH)' in Kuraray's table; this is Kuraray's term for moisture regain. The same table prints 5.4% for the regular aramid column at 90% RH
    status: ground
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Moisture content ratio (%, 90%RH), HT column
  - benchmark: limiting_oxygen_index
    label: Limiting oxygen index, VECTRAN HT
    value: 29
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: VECTRAN HT
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Printed as LOI (%) in Kuraray's table; no test standard printed. The same table prints 32% for UM
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: LOI is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row LOI (%), HT column
  - benchmark: total_mass_loss
    label: Total mass lost in micro-VCM test
    value: 0.06
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen: Vectran HS Type 97, 1500 denier, 12 strand braid, tested as received
      coating: silicone oil (IR spectroscopy showed it)
      standard: ASTM E-595-93
      runs: 3
    method: Measured by NASA GSFC (D. Dove and D. Thomas), 1 June 2004, per ASTM E-595-93 micro-VCM
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: total mass loss is not in the canonical property list. The silicone-oil coating can be declined for flight.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Results, Out-gas Testing section and Table 8 (Micro VCM Out-gassing Test), Average Total Mass Lost row
  - benchmark: cvcm
    label: Collected volatile condensable material (CVCM)
    value: 0.01
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen: Vectran HS Type 97, 1500 denier, 12 strand braid, tested as received
      standard: ASTM E-595-93
      runs: 3
    method: Measured by NASA GSFC, 1 June 2004, per ASTM E-595-93 micro-VCM
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: CVCM is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Table 8 (Micro VCM Out-gassing Test), Average CVCM row
  - benchmark: water_vapour_regain
    label: Water vapour regain at 50% RH
    value: 0.01
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen: Vectran HS Type 97, 1500 denier, 12 strand braid
      humidity: 50% RH
    method: Measured by NASA GSFC, 1 June 2004, per ASTM E-595-93 micro-VCM (WVR column)
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: water vapour regain is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Table 8 (Micro VCM Out-gassing Test), Average WVR @ 50% RH row
  - benchmark: creep_rate
    label: Creep, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 0.0003
    unit: '%/log(t)'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 creep row
      kevlar_49: 0.0015 %/Log(t) on the same row
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773; the 2004 NASA test did not support the 'zero creep' claim
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: creep rate is not in the canonical property list. The abstract says creep was about four times slower than similar Kevlar 49 products.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, Creep %/Log(t) row, Vectran column; Abstract
  - benchmark: stress_relaxation_rate
    label: Stress relaxation, Vectran (NASA literature table 2)
    value: 0.033
    unit: '%/log(t)'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: literature summary for Vectran, Table 2 stress relaxation row
      kevlar_49: 0.015 %/Log(t) on the same row
    method: Literature summary compiled in NASA/TM-2004-212773
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: stress relaxation rate is not in the canonical property list. Vectran relaxes faster than Kevlar 49 on this row.'
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, Stress Relaxation %/Log(t) row, Vectran column
  - benchmark: webbing_uts_variance
    label: Average variance of UTS about the roll mean, 12K Vectran webbing
    value: 9.4
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      webbing: 12K Vectran webbing, Mil-T-87130 architecture, light R resin treatment
      comparison: 12K Kevlar 3.7 % on the same page
    method: Average variance about each roll's mean UTS, from NASA roll test data (87 rolls tested across four webbing types)
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: webbing UTS variance is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: nasa-webbing-2014
    where: Section A (UTS Testing and Variance), paragraph after Figure 8
  - benchmark: shrinkage_boiling_water
    label: Shrinkage in boiling water, Vectran HT (data sheet)
    value: 0.2
    bound: upper
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Vectran HT
    method: Printed as <0.2% on the MiniFIBERS property list
    status: ground
    note: 'Custom name: boiling-water shrinkage is not in the canonical property list.'
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Property list on page 1, line 'Shrinkage, Boiling Water'
corrosion:
  - environment: Radiation exposure (high levels of radiation)
    headline: Virtually unaffected by high radiation, per MiniFIBERS.
    effect: MiniFIBERS says Vectran is virtually unaffected by high levels of radiation and that UV resistance is moderate. No dose or test figure is printed on the sheet.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statement on a data sheet; no dose or test standard printed
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Durability paragraph
  - environment: Sunlight (ultraviolet exposure)
    headline: UV degradation is similar to Kevlar, per NASA's 2004 comparison.
    effect: NASA's 2004 abstract says Vectran has similar UV degradation to Kevlar 49, and Table 2 prints UV resistance as 'similar'. The MiniFIBERS sheet rates UV resistance as moderate. No UV dose or exposure time is printed in either source.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative comparison; exposure not stated
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Abstract; Appendix A, Table 2, row UV Resistance
  - environment: Heat at 150 °C
    headline: Keeps 55% of tenacity at 150 °C, against 81% for Kevlar 49.
    effect: NASA's literature table gives 55% tenacity retained at 150 °C for Vectran and 81% for Kevlar 49. The table gives no exposure time, so the figure is a short-term comparison, not a life estimate.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      temperature: 150 °C
      exposure: not stated
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Appendix A, Table 2, row % Tenacity at 150 ºC
  - environment: Humid air (90% RH)
    headline: Moisture content ratio is 0.1% at 90% RH for HT, against 5.4% for the regular aramid column.
    effect: Kuraray prints 0.1% moisture content ratio for HT at 90% RH and 5.4% for its regular aramid column. MiniFIBERS says Vectran does not absorb moisture in practice. NASA's 2004 test gave 0.01% water vapour regain at 50% RH.
    rating: none
    conditions:
      humidity: 90% RH (Kuraray); 50% RH (NASA)
    source: kuraray-basic
    where: Table 'Basic physical properties of VECTRAN', row Moisture content ratio (%, 90%RH)
  - environment: Bleach, organic solvents, strong acids and bases
    headline: Excellent bleach resistance; resists solvents, acids above 90% and bases below 30%.
    effect: MiniFIBERS says Vectran has excellent bleach resistance and resists organic solvents, some acids above 90% concentration and bases below 30% concentration. It also says strength is well kept across a wide range of chemicals, concentrations, times and temperatures.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statement on a data sheet; no test figures printed
    source: minifibers-tds
    where: Chemical Resistance paragraph
  - environment: Simulated lunar soil abrasion (8000 cycles)
    headline: Three candidate fabrics kept dust out; Vectran did not, and its filaments broke.
    effect: In NASA's lunar dust abrasion protocol (8000 cycles with activated lunar simulant), Vectran was one of the fabrics that let dust reach the layers below, unlike Tyvek, Orthofabric and silicone-coated Kevlar. Vectran and Kevlar suffered considerably more filament breakage than Orthofabric. The report gives no numeric wear rate.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      abrasion: 8000 cycles of abrasion with activated lunar simulant (JSC-1 type)
      basis: relative comparison in the report
    source: nasa-lunar-dust-2009
    where: Abstract (item 14); Figure 9 caption (Vectran abraded for 8000 cycles)
  - environment: Constant load at ambient temperature (creep)
    headline: Creep is not zero, but about four times slower than Kevlar 49.
    effect: NASA's 2004 test did not support the 'zero creep' claim made by the manufacturer. Creep was about four times slower than similar Kevlar 49 products. Creep life depends strongly on the roll's tensile strength, so the rate varies between rolls.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: NASA GSFC creep tests on braided cord, ambient laboratory conditions with some temperature fluctuation
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Abstract; Discussion, Creep Testing
risks:
  hazards: []
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Strength below the minimum breaking load in woven webbing
      trigger: Manufacturing runs of 6K and 12K Vectran webbing with the same architecture as the Kevlar webbing
      consequence: Only 9 of 21 6K Vectran rolls met the Mil-T-87130 minimum of 6,000 lb with the Kevlar architecture; one 12K Vectran roll averaged 11,548 lb against a 12,500 lb minimum, the only 12K roll below minimum.
      severity: high
      source: nasa-webbing-2014
      where: Section A (UTS Testing and Variance), paragraphs after Figures 7 and 8
    - mode: Creep life spread between rolls
      trigger: Sustained static load tests, where creep specimens are loaded at a percentage of each roll's average UTS
      consequence: NASA reports that a 20% variance in measured UTS may give an order-of-magnitude difference in creep life, and two 12K Vectran rolls varied by 20% or just below it.
      severity: moderate
      source: nasa-webbing-2014
      where: Section A (UTS Testing and Variance), paragraph after Figure 8
    - mode: Filament breakage under lunar dust abrasion
      trigger: Abrasion by activated simulated lunar soil for 8000 cycles on a woven Vectran fabric
      consequence: Vectran let dust reach the layers beneath, and its filaments broke, more than Orthofabric; the report gives no numeric wear rate.
      severity: moderate
      source: nasa-lunar-dust-2009
      where: Abstract (item 14)
  side_effects:
    - text: The 2004 NASA outgassing sample was coated with silicone oil. IR spectroscopy showed the coating, which NASA says can be declined for space flight.
      affects: Outgassing result for the tested cord, not the bare fibre
      source: nasa-tm-2004
      where: Out-gas Testing paragraph (CTE and out-gas section)
  handling:
    - text: Pre-load braided Vectran cord before testing it for creep or stress relaxation. NASA says a reliable rate cannot be expected until the braid has been pre-loaded.
      source: nasa-tm-2004
      where: Conclusions and Recommendations, item 6
    - text: Keep service temperature at or below 150 °C, the maximum use temperature in NASA's literature table.
      source: nasa-tm-2004
      where: Appendix A, Table 2, row Max Use Temperature
  mitigations:
    - text: Test the ultimate tensile strength of every roll and set creep test loads as a percentage of that roll's average, so a roll's own strength is used.
      source: nasa-webbing-2014
      where: Section A (UTS Testing and Variance), first paragraph
    - text: NASA JSC asked for extra fibres in the Vectran webbing architecture on later runs so that the 6K webbing met the minimum breaking load.
      source: nasa-webbing-2014
      where: Section A (UTS Testing and Variance), paragraph on 9 of 21 6K rolls
uses:
  - application: habitats-and-suits
    device: Spacesuit softgoods layer (NASA Extravehicular Mobility Unit)
    example: Vectran is one of the layers in the softgoods of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit, designed and made by ILC Dover.
    source: wiki-vectran
    where: Uses section (secondary source)
  - application: rovers-and-surface-systems
    device: Airbag fabric for Mars landings (Mars Pathfinder 1997, Mars Exploration Rovers 2004)
    example: Vectran was the fabric for all of the airbag landings on Mars, beginning with Mars Pathfinder in 1997. It was used again on the 2004 Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.
    source: wiki-vectran
    where: Uses section (secondary source)
  - application: rovers-and-surface-systems
    device: Bridle cables for the Mars Science Laboratory rover (2011)
    example: Vectran was used in the bridle cables of NASA's 2011 Mars Science Laboratory.
    source: wiki-vectran
    where: Uses section (secondary source)
  - application: solar-arrays
    device: Tie-downs on solar arrays (static load)
    example: NASA recommends Vectran HS as an upgrade on Kevlar braided cords for long-term static-loading uses such as tie-downs on solar arrays.
    source: nasa-tm-2004
    where: Abstract
  - application: structures
    device: Inflatable habitat webbing, 6K and 12K (1-inch Mil-T-87130 architecture)
    example: The 6K and 12K Vectran webbings tested in NASA's 2014 study use the same architectures as NASA's Transhab module and later inflatable designs.
    source: nasa-webbing-2014
    where: Introduction, paragraph on Transhab architectures
supply:
  - subject: Vectran fibre
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: wiki-vectran
    where: 'History section: Kuraray began production in 1990, acquired the Vectran business from Celanese Advanced Materials in 2005, and as of June 2007 owned 100% of worldwide production. No share figure is printed.'
documents:
  - title: Basic physical properties of VECTRAN (Kuraray web page)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://vectran.kuraray.com/en/properties/basic-physical-properties/
  - title: Technical Data Sheet, LCP Fibers, Vectran HT (MiniFIBERS, doc PI-TDS_Vectran-HT-Fibers)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Vectran-HT-Fibers.pdf
  - title: 'NASA/TM-2004-212773: Vectran Fiber Time-Dependent Behavior and Additional Static Loading Properties'
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20050040773
    year: 2004
  - title: Time-Dependent Behavior of High-Strength Kevlar and Vectran Webbing (NASA, NTRS 20140003948)
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140003948
    year: 2014
  - title: Abrasion of Candidate Spacesuit Fabrics by Simulated Lunar Dust (NASA, NTRS 20090040698)
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090040698
    year: 2009
gaps:
  - No Vectran safety data sheet or GHS classification was read in this run, so the hazards list is empty and no hazard statement is made.
  - No CAS number and no standard designation (UNS, EN, ASTM or similar) for Vectran was read; only the trade name is used in this file.
  - The repeat unit of the polymer is not printed in any source read; the formula is given as the two monomers.
  - 'Melting point is disputed: NASA''s 2004 literature table and 2014 webbing report give 330 °C, and MiniFIBERS says Vectran softens at 300 °C and does not melt.'
  - Density, modulus and tenacity differ by source (1.40 vs 1.47 g/cm3; 65, 75 and 91 GPa; 2.9 and 3.2 GPa). Each value is kept with its own source and no average is given.
  - Kuraray's basic property table prints no test standard for density, LOI, moisture content ratio or the dry/wet ratio; these values carry only the printed label.
  - No atomic oxygen, vacuum, radiation or flight erosion test result for Vectran was found in this run, so no space erosion yield is given.
  - No production capacity, country share, feedstock or critical-mineral listing was read for Vectran; the supply entry records only the history of the single producer.
  - The Kuraray heat-resistance and chemical-resistance pages print their curves as images with no numeric text, so no values were taken from them.
  - UV resistance is only rated qualitatively (moderate, similar to Kevlar 49); no UV dose test was read.
  - The Mars airbag and bridle-cable uses and the spacesuit layer come from Wikipedia, not from a NASA page; the archived NASA rover page was not opened.
  - The NASA 2004 and 2014 tests used Vectran HS (older braid and webbing); the HT and UM yarn data sheets are different product forms.
  - The Kuraray tensile tests use 1670 dtex yarn at 80 T/M in an in-house method; no ISO or ASTM tensile standard was printed for them.
  - 'Custom benchmark names (not in property-canon): decomposition_temperature, softening_temperature, limiting_oxygen_index, tenacity_retention_150c, total_mass_loss, cvcm, water_vapour_regain, creep_rate, stress_relaxation_rate, webbing_uts_variance, shrinkage_boiling_water.'
sources:
  kuraray-basic:
    title: Basic physical properties of VECTRAN (Kuraray, VECTRAN website)
    id: Kuraray VECTRAN basic physical properties table, HT and UM columns
    url: https://vectran.kuraray.com/en/properties/basic-physical-properties/
    kind: datasheet
    license: Kuraray web page, cited not reproduced
  minifibers-tds:
    title: Technical Data Sheet, LCP Fibers, Vectran HT (MiniFIBERS)
    id: MiniFIBERS doc PI-TDS_Vectran-HT-Fibers, DCN 250303
    url: https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Vectran-HT-Fibers.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: supplier document, cited not reproduced; states typical values, not a specification
  nasa-tm-2004:
    title: NASA/TM-2004-212773, Vectran Fiber Time-Dependent Behavior and Additional Static Loading Properties (Goddard Space Flight Center)
    id: NASA/TM-2004-212773; NTRS 20050040773
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20050040773
    year: 2004
    kind: report
    license: public domain (NASA)
  nasa-webbing-2014:
    title: Time-Dependent Behavior of High-Strength Kevlar and Vectran Webbing (NASA, AIAA paper)
    id: NTRS 20140003948
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140003948
    year: 2014
    kind: report
    license: public domain (NASA)
  nasa-lunar-dust-2009:
    title: Abrasion of Candidate Spacesuit Fabrics by Simulated Lunar Dust (NASA technical memorandum)
    id: NTRS 20090040698
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090040698
    year: 2009
    kind: report
    license: public domain (NASA)
  wiki-vectran:
    title: Vectran (Wikipedia)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectran
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia); used for composition and history only
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 36
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 9
  note: Written by an assistant on 2026-11-01 from pages and PDFs read in this run. Kuraray and MiniFIBERS values were read on the page or PDF text; NASA values from the PDF text of each report. Three literature values differ by source and are kept side by side.
story:
  recipe:
    line: Vectran is an aromatic polyester. Its two monomers, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid, are polycondensed into a liquid-crystal polymer. NASA's 2014 report says the polymer is then melt-spun and extruded through a die into fibre.
    parts:
      - name: 4-hydroxybenzoic acid
        role: First monomer. Polycondensed with the second monomer to form the aromatic polyester chain.
        source: wiki-vectran
        where: Opening section, composition sentence
      - name: 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid
        role: Second monomer. Gives the naphthalene part of the chain, which helps the polymer form a liquid-crystal phase.
        source: wiki-vectran
        where: Opening section, composition sentence
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      lead: We did not read a safety data sheet or GHS classification for Vectran in this run, so no hazard statement is made here.
      points:
        - label: Form
          line: MiniFIBERS sells Vectran HT as cut fibre in lengths from 3 mm to 26 mm. Its data sheet does not give a hazard statement.
        - label: Gap
          line: Check the supplier's safety data sheet for the exact product before handling.
    - title: If it overheats
      lead: These are the temperature limits printed in the sources. None of them is a test of a fire.
      points:
        - label: Use limit
          line: NASA's literature table gives 150 °C as the maximum use temperature, and 55% tenacity is kept at 150 °C.
        - label: Decomposition
          line: Kuraray's TG-DTA gives 480 °C for HT and 472 °C for UM. MiniFIBERS says Vectran decomposes above 400 °C.
        - label: Melting
          line: NASA's 2014 report says Vectran melts at 330 °C, but MiniFIBERS says it softens at 300 °C and does not melt.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Preload
          line: NASA says braided cord should be pre-loaded before a creep or stress relaxation test, because the rate is not reliable before that.
        - label: Silicone oil
          line: The 2004 outgassing sample was coated with silicone oil. NASA says the coating can be declined for flight.
  why: Vectran is a high-strength fibre spun from a liquid-crystal polymer, an aromatic polyester. Kuraray, which manufactures it, lists a density of 1.40 g/cm3 and a tenacity of 24.3 cN/dtex for the HT grade. The fibre has been used for Mars landing airbags and as a layer in NASA's spacesuit softgoods, and NASA has tested it as a possible upgrade on Kevlar for long-term static loads. The properties that matter most for space use are low moisture pickup and low outgassing, and the sources disagree on the heat limit.
  uses:
    - where: Mars landings
      line: Vectran was the fabric for the airbags that cushioned Mars landings, beginning with Mars Pathfinder in 1997. The same airbag design was used on the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in 2004, according to Wikipedia.
    - where: Rover bridle cables
      line: Vectran was used in the bridle cables of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory in 2011, according to Wikipedia.
    - where: Spacesuit softgoods
      line: Vectran is one of the layers in the softgoods of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit, the spacesuit designed and made by ILC Dover.
    - where: Solar-array tie-downs
      line: NASA's 2004 report recommends Vectran HS as an upgrade on Kevlar braided cords for long-term static-loading uses, such as tie-downs on solar arrays.
    - where: Inflatable habitat webbing
      line: NASA's 2014 study tested 6K and 12K Vectran webbings with the same architectures used in the Transhab module and later inflatable designs.
  can_do:
    - label: Tensile strength
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
      line: Kuraray gives 24.3 cN/dtex for the HT grade and 19.1 cN/dtex for the UM grade, both on 1670 dtex yarn at 80 T/M. MiniFIBERS gives about 3.2 GPa for HT. NASA's 2004 literature table gives 3.2 GPa, and a second table in the same report gives 2.9 GPa.
    - label: Stiffness
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      line: Kuraray gives an initial modulus of 530 cN/dtex for HT and 740 cN/dtex for UM. MiniFIBERS gives about 75 GPa, and NASA's 2004 tables give 91 GPa and 65 GPa. The sources disagree, so each value is kept with its own source.
    - label: Elongation at break
      benchmark: elongation
      line: Kuraray's in-house test gives 3.6% for HT and 2.3% for UM. MiniFIBERS gives less than 4.0% for HT.
    - label: Heat limit
      value: Softens at 300 °C (MiniFIBERS); melts at 330 °C (NASA)
      line: The sources disagree on the heat limit. MiniFIBERS says Vectran HT softens at 300 °C and does not melt. NASA's 2014 report says it melts at 330 °C, and its 2004 literature table gives 150 °C as the maximum use temperature.
    - label: Decomposition
      benchmark: decomposition_temperature
      line: Kuraray's TG-DTA gives 480 °C for HT and 472 °C for UM. MiniFIBERS says it decomposes above 400 °C. NASA's table gives 550 °C for 50% weight loss by TGA, a different test.
    - label: Outgassing
      value: 0.06% total mass loss
      line: In a NASA GSFC micro-VCM test under ASTM E-595-93, a silicone-oil-coated Vectran braid lost 0.06% of its mass in total and 0.01% as condensable material. The silicone oil can be left off for flight.
    - label: Creep
      value: About four times slower than Kevlar 49
      line: NASA's 2004 test did not support the 'zero creep' claim made for Vectran. Creep was about four times slower than similar Kevlar 49 products.
  compare: Kuraray's table sets Vectran HT against two regular and high-modulus aramid columns. At 90% RH, the HT moisture content ratio is 0.1% against 5.4% for the regular aramid column, and HT tenacity is 24.3 cN/dtex against 18.9 cN/dtex. The regular aramid column decomposes at 550 °C, against 480 °C for HT, so the aramid is more heat-stable on Kuraray's TG-DTA figures. NASA's 2004 table shows Vectran creeping more slowly than Kevlar 49 and keeping less tenacity at 150 °C (55% against 81%).
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - label: Tensile strength
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    - label: Modulus
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
  handling:
    - Pre-load braided cord before a creep or stress relaxation test. NASA says the rate is not reliable before preloading.
    - Keep it at or below 150 °C in service, the maximum use temperature in NASA's literature table.
    - Test each roll for strength, because the roll-to-roll spread is wide. NASA sets creep loads as a percentage of each roll's own average.
  good_for:
    - Low moisture pickup. Kuraray gives 0.1% moisture content at 90% RH for the HT grade.
    - Solar-array tie-downs and inflatable webbing for long static loads, where NASA recommended it as an upgrade on Kevlar.
  watch_out:
    - Creep is not zero. NASA's 2004 test found it about four times slower than Kevlar 49, but not zero.
    - Roll-to-roll strength spread. In NASA's 2014 study only 9 of 21 6K Vectran rolls met the minimum breaking load.
    - The heat limit is disputed. NASA gives 330 °C for melting, and MiniFIBERS says it softens at 300 °C and does not melt.
  verdict: Vectran is a strong, low-moisture fibre with flight heritage in Mars airbags and spacesuit softgoods. For long static loads, specify the roll strength and the creep test data, because NASA's tests show creep is not zero and strength varies from roll to roll.