Although the exact procedures and methods are under a copyright with DuPont for the development of Kevlar, I was able to find a basic overview for the creation of Kevlar.
In a chemistry laboratory all of the mixing devices, beakers, dishes, test tubes, and measuring cups tend to be glass for ease of cleaning. The majority of chemists between the 1940’s and 1960’s would routinely make their own glass tools/utensils. Kwolek also used microscopes including polarizing microscopes and electron microscopes. A polarizing microscope diffuses light and allows the viewer to see an enlarged contrasted image. An electron microscope allows the user to look at objects up to a nano-scale by using beams of focused energetic electrons. (Best Microscope Reviews).
Kwolek’s daily routine was creating polymers and either melting or dissolving it into a liquid that could then be spun to create fibers. Poly-p-benzamide and poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide were used to create a polymer that could not be melted down. Kwolek went to work trying to find a solvent that would dissolve the new polymer. Once a solvent that was capable of dissolving the polymer was found, the resulting solution was more watery and cloudy than previous solutions. This solution was taken to the spinning technician to be spun on the spinneret. The spinneret is a machine that spins a solution and forces it through very fine holes and ends up creating a filament or fiber. The fiber that resulted from the solution Kwolek had made was very strong, tough, stiff and fire-resistant. The last step was to heat-treat the fiber which made it even stronger and stiffer thus creating Kevlar. (Selle, 2004).
Kevlar is used in several commercial items including tires, speed boats, Eurofighter wings and panels, and body armor.
Chemical Structure of Kevlar
Stephanie Kwolek at a polarizing microscope
Spinneret Nozzle Closeup
