kevlar thread?!

[thunderzy]

Has anyone here ever sewn with kevlar thread? Im going to attempt to repair my motorcycle racing suit. Eventually I would like to add some stingray patches to the most commonly impacted areas. If anyone is familiar with Kevlar thread let me know what you think of it? Is it difficult to work with? How strong is it? Should I be considering a different thread?

Thanks

Zack

[kevinhopkins]

Has anyone here ever sewn with kevlar thread? Im going to attempt to repair my motorcycle racing suit. Eventually I would like to add some stingray patches to the most commonly impacted areas. If anyone is familiar with Kevlar thread let me know what you think of it? Is it difficult to work with? How strong is it? Should I be considering a different thread?

Thanks

Zack

Hi Zack,

You can use kevlar, but normally it's a flat type thread, and is difficult to use on a machine. I'm sure you can buy it in machine format, but it might be difficult to find in small qtys. most folks I know, (including our shop) simply use bonded nylon for inlaying Stingray. we've never had an issue to date. And you can get bonded nylon about anyplace.

Kevin/Springfield leather

[Bree]

I have Kevlar thread and I very seldom use it. I use it when I absolutely need superior strength for structural reasons. Kevlar is very strong and kind of slippery. It doesn't hold a knot well as the knot weakens it a lot. Spectra is even worse for being slippery and hard to knot or lock down. And they are both so strong that they can slice through your fabric or even leather like a knife. For 99% of what I do, Poly or nylon are just fine.

[thunderzy]

Is poly and or bonded nylon strong enough to hold under extreme conditions? Remember this will be for my motorcycle racing leathers. I crash a decent amount, at least 3 times a year. The suit has to stay together under 40-80 mph impact and some 10-30 ft of pavement sliding.

[5shot]

I would think bonded polyester would hold up in heavier wieghts, but kevlar would surely be better. The down side (beyond what is mentioned above) is that Kevlar will destroy your machine eventually. It will act like a little hacksaw blade and cut into everything it rubs against. If you only use a bit, might take forever to happen though.

The same issue applies to fishing line of the same design. It takes special guides on the rod to keep the line from cutting through when the big brute peels off a bunch of line.

[CampbellRandall]

In my opinion, Kevlar is normally not used just for strength, but for heat resistance. Kevlar has a melting point of about 900 degrees (vs about 500 for poly/nylon). If your looking for strength, increase your thread size or sew multiple lines at the seams and you dont have to pay 6 times the price of nylon or poly. The requirements of the jacket are to hold up to heat (i.e. crash and burn) then Kevlar or Nomex is recommended.

[Bree]

Is poly and or bonded nylon strong enough to hold under extreme conditions? Remember this will be for my motorcycle racing leathers. I crash a decent amount, at least 3 times a year. The suit has to stay together under 40-80 mph impact and some 10-30 ft of pavement sliding.

Ask a main line manufactuer of racing leathers like Vanson what kind of thread they use. You are asking a very specific question with potentially serious consequences if the answer is wrong. Ask someone who assumes the liability for making a mistake every day.

Regardless of the thread, I think you want to double or triple stitch as well as glue high stress areas. Note that most racing leathers are loaded with patches. There's a reason for that and it isn't just to advertise. All those patches add a lot of abrasion resistance.

You will find poly to be a bit more resistant to abrasion than nylon. Kevlar has good abrasion resistance and I would highly recommend Kevlar cloth as reinforcement. But the thread has very little stretch and is so strong that it might act like a knife and actually cut the garment when heavily stressed. That stretchiness of poly and nylon gives it some shock absorbing capability.

Those are some random thoughts. But I would say ask someone who specializes in making these leathers. I don't.

[tonyc1]

I make a fair bit of strapping for gallopers and harness horses and I find the nylon handles wear and tear a lot better than the poly.

Tony.

[barra]

As someone who deals with Aircrew safety and survival equipment, I use a fair amount of Nomex thread and can extol it's virtues.

Characteristics remain after laundering.

Chemical resistant.

Mildew resistant.

Resistance to heat.

Abrasion resistant.

Flame-resistant. (does not melt or drip but chars at about 700F)

Barra

[tonyc1]

Where do you buy Nomex from, Barra?

Tony.