Greetings.

The two that instantly spring to mind are diolin and Kevlar.

Thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately my composite knowledge is pretty close to zero.

For the majority of my impact protection needs I'm looking to use a combination of Sorbothane and Poron XRD. Bearing in mind that this apparel will need to be flexible and wrap around the leg, would kevlar not be too stiff and brittle? I'm looking for something to go on the outside of these materials to finish it off.

I'll have a look into Diolin though.

I think you might be in the wrong place.

Youre looking for an abrasion resistant fabric. And while the composites industry involves alot of fabrics like Kevlar,Twaaron, Diolen, Dyneema etc, its only when used in conjunction with a polymer as a composite. I mean the breathable and washable properties that you want, I doubt anyone here can help.

Saying that, have a look at Dyneema.I know its used in military uniforms. Its not cheap though, and it doenst look like carbon.

Carbon cactus is generally right.  However we do stock a small range of Kevlar Protective Textiles for use in garments.  However these are designed mostly for abrasion, slash, heat and puncture resistance rather than blunt force impact absorption.

Sure with enough layers of fabric, kevlar will spread a impact load over and area (eg ballistic vests) but in single or few layers its use as an impact absorber is limited.  Foams are often a better performer for that kind of use.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

This would very much depend on what kind of level of flexibility and perhaps "breathability"you would like in this "carbonfibre-look" outer layer.

I made a set of custom footie "shin-pads/protectors" from one layer of  Twaron outer- and two layers of kevlar -- I laminated this with EC's flexible Resin, for the first pair, and actually found it to be too soft and flexible....   I added an inner layer of pure heavy kevlar cloth, and that did the trick.. My daughter now has the coolest set of shin-protectors on her football team .. 

I do not think you could make softer fabrics from the normal reinforcement fabrics used in composites, but something like a pure black Diolene or Diolene and Twaron mix (if that exists) might be usable..  Dyneema works very well, and is soft and very strong. but the sort I have is shiny white satin weave....



"Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW!

The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind...

103% of all people do not understand statistics...

Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)