Aramids are a family of nylons, including Nomex® and Kevlar®. Kevlar® is used to make things like bullet proof vests and puncture resistant bicycle tires. I suppose one could even make bullet proof bicycle tires from Kevlar® if one felt the need.
Blends of Nomex® and Kevlar® are used to make fireproof clothing. Nomex® is what keeps the monster truck and tractor drivers from burning to death should their fire-breathing rigs breathe a little too much fire. Thanks to Nomex®, an important part of American culture can be practiced safely. (Polymers play another part in the monster truck show in the form of elastomers from which those giant tires are made.) Nomex®-Kevlar® blends also protect fire fighters.
Kevlar® is a polyamide, in which all the amide groups are separated by para-phenylene groups, that is, the amide groups attach to the phenyl rings opposite to each other, at carbons 1 and 4. Kevlar is shown in the big picture at the top of the page.
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