January 21, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
Kevlar is a so-called bullet-proof fabric. The polymer is stronger than steel, weight for weight. It's made by Dupont: http://www.dupont.com/kevlar/

The site lists all these applications-

Ropes that secure the airbags in the crucial landing apparatus of the Mars Pathfinder

Small-diameter, lightweight ropes that hold 22,000 pounds and help moor the largest U.S. Navy vessels

Shrapnel-resistant shielding in jet aircraft engines that will protect passengers in case an explosion occurs

Run-flat tires that allow for greater safety because they won't ruin the rim when driving to the nearest assistance

Gloves that protect hands and fingers against cuts, slashes and other injuries that often occur in glass and sheet metal factories

Kayaks that provide better impact resistance with no extra weight

Strong, lightweight skis, helmets and racquets that help lessen fatigue and boost exhilaration

And tells you where you can buy some. http://www.dupont.com/kevlar/protectiveapparel/where_to_buy/north_america_frame.html But I didn’t notice that it gave out the chemical formula… there’s an article on its structure in the Journal of Chemical Education:.

Modern Sport and Chemistry: What a Chemically Aware Sports Fanatic Should Know, by Guinevere A. Giffin, Steven R. Boone, Renée S. Cole, and Scott E. McKay and Robert Kopitzke J. Chem. Ed. 2002, 79, 772 and 896)
Embarrasingly enough, I found that reference by first finding a correction: the printed copy had it wrong! See http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2002/Sep/abs1071_2.html