ARAMID (Kevlar) COTTON (Spur Yarn) GLASS (Fiberglass) MANILA (Natural Fiber) NYLON (Multifilament) POLYESTER (Multifilament) POLY- PROPYLENE (Monofilament) POLY- PROPYLENE (Multifilament) BREAKING TENACITY (Grams per Denier) 21.7 gpd 3 to 5 gpd 9.6 gpd 5 to 7 gpd 5.7 to 9.5 gpd 6 to 9.5 gpd 3.5 to 7 gpd 2.5 to 8 gpd SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.44 1.54 2.5 1.5 to 1.6 1.14 1.38 0.91 (floats) 0.91 (floats) STRETCH ELONGATION AT BREAK POINT 2.5% 3 to 7% 3.1% 5 to 13% 15 to 28% 12 to 14% 14 to 30% 20 to 100% ELASTIC RECOVERY 100% 74 at 2% 45 at 5% 100% 75 at 2% 99 at 5% 89 at 8% 99 at 2% 88 at 5% 98 at 5% 98 at 5% 95 at 10% MOISTURE ABSORBANCY 4.5% 24% to 27% None 30% to 35% 4.2% to 8% 0.4% Negligible Negligible EFFECT OF HEAT Decomposes at 930° F. Decomposes at 302° F. 75% Tensile at 65° F. Melts at 2050° F. Loses Strength over 180° F. Yellows at 300° F. Melts at 480° F. Melts at 482° F. 50% Tensile at 200° F. Melts at 330° F. 50% Tensile at 200° F. Melts at 320° F. EFFECT OF ACIDS Resists most acids. Some strength lost after long exposure. Disintegrates in concentrated solutions Resists most acids Disintegrates Very poor Good resistance. Dissolves in sulfuric acid. Good resistance. Dissolves in sulfuric acid. Good resistance except with oxidizing agents. Good resistance except with oxidizing agents. EFFECT OF ALKALIS Generally good resistance Swelling, but no damage Unaffected Very poor Inert Moderate Good resistance Good resistance EFFECT OF ORGANIC SOLVENTS Unaffected. Should no be bleached. Resistant to common solvents Unaffected Poor resistance Resistant. Soluable in phenolic and formic acid. Resistant. Soluable in phenolic acids. Insoluable in most except chlorinated hydrocarbons. Insoluable in most except chlorinated hydrocarbons. EFFECT OF SUNLIGHT Loses strength after prolonged exposure Loses strength Excellent resistance Loses some strength Loses strength after prolonged exposure. Loses strength after prolonged exposure. Good resistance if UV-stabliized Good resistance to indirect sunlight. EFFECT OF AGE Excellent resistance Negligible Excellent resistance Negligible None None Negligible Negligible RESISTANCE TO MILDEW Not attacked Poor unless bleached Not attacked Poor Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked ABRASION RESISTANCE Good Good resistance Good Good Excellent resistance Excellent resistance Good resistance Good resistance IDENTIFICATION Does not melt. Decomposes at 930° F. Burns rapidly Does not burn. Melts at 2050° F. Burns like wood, hairy fibers Melts before burning. Forms hard bead. Celery odor. Melts before burning. Forms hard bead. Pundent odor. Floats. Melts before burning. Forms hard bead. Burning asphalt odor. Floats. Melts before burning. Forms hard bead. Burning asphalt odor.