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This section provides an overview for zylon as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 zylon manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked zylon companies as of December, 2024: 1.Spencer Synthetics Limited, 2.TEIJIN FRONTIER U.S.A., INC., 3.Hayami Industry Co.,Ltd.
Table of Contents
PBO fiber (Zylon) is a fiber made from a material called polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole.
It refers to a fiber with high strength, modulus of elasticity, heat resistance, and flame resistance. While ordinary fibers decompose in high-temperature environments, PBO fibers are resistant to decomposition even in extremely high-temperature environments (650°C).
In addition, PBO fiber maintains high durability at 500°C. The durability, heat resistance, and modulus of elasticity of PBO fiber are quite strong, and are the highest among organic fiber products currently on the market.
The more polymeric a fiber is, the more molecules are bound together to make a hard and strong product; PBO fiber, being a polymeric fiber, has high heat resistance and durability. Taking advantage of this feature, PBO fibers are mainly used in situations where they are exposed to high temperature environments.
Aramid fiber, which was created in the 1960s, is another fiber with superior performance, but demand for PBO fiber has been increasing in recent years due to its superiority over the two.
Specific uses of PBO fiber are as follows:
In terms of machinery, for example, metals become quite hot when welding. Since most robots are made of metal or resin, it is not uncommon for them to melt from the heat during welding if they are left as they are.
Therefore, by covering the robot with a fabric made of PBO fiber as a protective agent, the robot becomes highly durable.
Firefighting uniforms made with the flame-retardant properties of PBO fiber are useful for rescuers who jump into a fire scene without fear of burns.
Because of its high strength, elasticity, and heat resistance, it is also used as a raw material for safety gloves. Compared to leather products, synthetic fibers, and cotton, it has an overwhelming cut-preventive effect, is lightweight, and does not easily deteriorate over time.
Because of its high strength and modulus of elasticity, it is often used to reinforce rubber and resin products. If it does not meet the application as a stand-alone fiber, it can be composited with other fibers to make a product.
PBO fiber is made from polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole, or PBO for short.
PBO fiber has considerably higher durability and heat resistance than polyester, which is usually used for coating, because of its molecular arrangement, which is very different from that of other materials. In synthetic fibers, molecules exist in a dispersed state regardless of the fiber axis.
In contrast, the structure of PBO fiber shows that the molecules are arranged almost parallel to the fiber axis. Normally, the more parallel the molecules in a fiber are to the fiber axis, the more durable it is. This is what gives PBO fiber its incomparably high durability.
PBO fiber is made by a process known as "liquid crystal spinning." PBO molecules, which are polymers, are usually liquid, but their molecular arrangement is regular and their physical properties are like crystals, which is why they are called the liquid crystalline state. This phenomenon is similar to the state of matter during the transition from solid to liquid or liquid to gas, and in the case of PBO molecules, they are stable in the liquid crystal state.
Using this stable state, PBO fiber is made into a fiber by spinning the molecular chains while blending them well. Fibers produced by this liquid crystal spinning are often highly durable, and in addition to PBO fibers, aramid fibers are also produced by the same method.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Hillside Composites, established in 2014 and headquartered in California, USA, is a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of carbon fiber products. Its product range encompasses solid composite plates, cored panels, veneers, as well as washers, and radiolucent materials for applications in X-Ray and Gamma Ray imaging. The company’s capabilities span engineering, reinforced plastic plate manufacturing, and machining. The company has the capacity to support customers from prototype to high-volume production, catering diverse industries which includes medical, aerospace, scientific, and automotive sectors.
Aramid Hpm, LLC. is a global supplier of performance materials for various industries, headquartered in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. Its product line includes filtration materials, insulation materials, protective apparel materials, business machine components, and materials for automotive and aerospace applications. The company rigorously tests its products to meet the standards customers demand. Some of its products include flame retardant yarn, cut resistant yarn, conducting anti-static fiber, preoxidized organic fibers, and synthetic copolymer.
Composite Envisions LLC. is an American developer and distributor of composite materials and products established in 2004. Based in Wausau, Wisconsin, the company stocks various raw materials such as composite fabrics and resins. These include kevlar, carbon fiber, epoxy, and a wide selection of prepreg combinations, as well related consumables and accessories. Composite Envisions also produces finished composite parts using glass lamination and CNC fabrication techniques for its clients in the automotive, aerospace, sporting goods, and consumer goods markets.
Fiber Brokers International, LLC., founded in 2007 and located in Brent, Alabama, is a supplier offering disposal and recycling services for ballistic materials and para-aramid fibers. Its services are intended to facilitate the secure destruction and recycling of ballistic body armor, working closely with law enforcement and manufacturing companies across the Americas. The company also trades several other materials such as Nylon, PC, PC/ABS, PET, and many other synthetic and non-synthetic materials.
Avient Corporation, formerly known as PolyOne Corporation, is a global manufacturer of specialized polymer materials, established in 2000, is headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio, the United States. The company's products include thermoplastic compounds, plastic colorants and additives, thermoplastic resins, vinyl resins, and specialty thermoset composite materials. Its operations span across specialty engineered materials, color and additive systems, advanced composites and polymer distribution. It is also embarking on a procurement transformation for its indirect procurement purchases and upgrading from its current procurement platform to Coupa.
Hayami Industry Co. Ltd., headquartered in Nagahama-shi, Shiga, Japan and established in 1953, is a manufacturer and supplier of functional braided cords for use in a wide array of fields. Its product line includes elastic and decorative cords, technical textiles, climbing cords, and cords tailored for automotive applications. The company offers customized cord production services and provides consultation, design, and manufacturing support for various industries. These functional braided cords cater to specific needs across multiple fields, promising strength, elasticity, and specialized functionality.
Toyobo MC Corporation, a joint venture between Toyobo Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, was established in 2022 and based in Osaka, Japan, as a manufacturer and supplier of functional materials. Its product portfolio includes engineering plastics used in automotive and electronic parts. It also offers vylon hardlen, which is a high-molecular-weight polyester resin for adhesion and durability, photo-functional materials including water-developable printight, fine chemicals like thio and azide compounds, and environmental solution systems capable of concentrating VOCs into a high-concentration gas. These products are utilized in several industries such as pinting, chemical, automotive, and electronics.
CHIYODA TRADING CORPORATION, established in 1974 and located in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial lubricants and chemical synthetic products. The company's product range includes a Gob cut, a Defric coat, Coat phite, Zylon, and the heat- and wear-resistant CPA fiber series. These offerings are utilized for functions like glass gob cutting, and coating agents for glass bottle delivery. It serves information-related industries and continually harmonizes with global environments. The company's services include sales of electronic components, handling of chemical synthetic products, and provision of heat-resistant lubricants.
Swicofil AG, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Emmenbrücke, Switzerland, is a supplier of specialty yarns and fibers. The company specializes in providing materials for industries such as textiles, automotive, and medical. The company’s product range includes various specialty yarns, fibers, and filaments tailored to meet specific application requirements. Its materials are utilized in diverse applications, including apparel, technical textiles, and industrial applications. The company is ISO 9001 certified, ensuring quality management systems. The company is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Lucerne.
Spencer Synthetics Limited, established in 1973, operates as a service supplier and specialist in synthetic and fiber recycling. The company provides synthetic fibers like PBO, Aramid, Panox, Preox, and Polyester, serving various sectors globally, including geo-textile, automotive, filtration, food packaging, and equestrian industries. Registered with the Environment Agency as an approved waste carrier and recycler, its current processing capacity is approximately 4,000 tonnes annually, recycling a diverse range of fiber and synthetic materials.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spencer Synthetics Limited |
16.2%
|
| 2 | TEIJIN FRONTIER U.S.A., INC. |
11.3%
|
| 3 | Hayami Industry Co.,Ltd |
11.3%
|
| 4 | TOYOBO MC Corporation |
9.2%
|
| 5 | FIBER-LINE LLC |
7.7%
|
| 6 | Avient Corporation. |
7.7%
|
| 7 | Hillside Composites. |
7.0%
|
| 8 | Composite Envisions LLC. |
6.3%
|
| 9 | Fiber Brokers International, LLC.. |
4.9%
|
| 10 | Aramid Hpm, LLC. |
4.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the zylon page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
7 | 70.0% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 10.0% |
|
Switzerland
|
1 | 10.0% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 10.0% |
