LCP
Vectran® UM 1580 200
Kuraray ? High Modulus
Manufacturer page / TDSDescription
High-performance thermotropic LCP multifilament yarn with very low creep and moisture absorption.
Comparative overview
Liquid-crystal polymer fiber — High-modulus LCP
Strengths: Low moisture uptake, excellent creep/fatigue resistance, dimensional stability and good vibration damping at low density.
When to use: Select for ropes, aerospace textiles, inflatable structures, cables and composites needing stable length and low creep without electrical conductivity.
Key tradeoffs: Premium cost, anisotropic processing and lower temperature ceiling than inorganic fibers; compression and interfacial design require validation.
Qualitative ratings (1–10 scale)
| Relative cost | 8/10 — High — specialty liquid-crystal polymer fiber with limited suppliers and controlled molecular orientation. |
|---|---|
| EM transparency | 9/10 — Excellent — high dielectric strength and very low moisture uptake support RF/electrical applications. |
| Temperature / fire resistance | 6/10 — Good — decomposition around 472–480°C and good dimensional stability, but below meta-aramid/PBO/ceramics. |
| Impact / penetration resistance | 6/10 — Good — high modulus grade has lower elongation, so impact performance is moderate-high rather than top tier. Stored TDS elongation: 2.7%. |
| Electrical / thermal conductivity | 1/10 — Very low — electrically insulating with low thermal conductivity. |
| Specific tensile strength | 8/10 — 8/10 | 2285.7 kN·m/kg | Product TDS |
| Atmospheric durability | 7/10 — Good — very low water uptake and good chemical resistance; prolonged UV exposure and thermal oxidation require stabilization or surface protection. |
| Sustainability (CO₂e) | 7/10 — 6.00 kg CO₂e/kg fiber — Medium emissions — data quality: Low |
Technical properties
| Tensile strength | 3200.0 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile modulus | 108.0 GPa |
| Density | 1.4 g/cm³ |
Applications and processing
aerospace textilesHigh-load ropes and cablesreinforcement and protective fabricscablescomposites and cut-resistant textilesinflatable structuresRopes