Salvaging Kevlar
 

This is an odd question. I just replaced my rear tire, a Michelin Carbon with a Kevlar bead. And while performing a disection of it to see how it was made, I wondered if anyone has ever bothered to reuse any of the roughly 12 feet worth of Kevlar strands from the old tires. I know it's hardly valuable, but it isn't often that I have Dupont's wonder fiber laying around the house. Maybe grandma can knit me a bullet-proof sweater. Has anybody had any clever ideas for it?

You definitely don't have enough for a bullet proof sweater. But, maybe grandma can knit you a bullet resistant set of socks.

How good is Kevlar at wicking moisture?

I don't know how well it wicks, but those socks are going to be miserable to wear. That kevlar is very abrasive stuff.

I think kevlar is good at wicking. A crack in a kevlar kayak will wick in water and then proceed to grown mold under the surface.

So, homemade Kevlar biking socks will be good for my daily commute. They promote a cushioning mold and will still result in a shattered ankle if I were to be shot in the foot.

you can buy kevlar thread at most fabric stores. also "aramid" reinforced fabrics at most outdoor fabric stores.

kevlar is overrated! it is brittle and does not bend well, it has a short fatigue curve when manipulated. best not in socks. just start making a bullteproof vest using ductape and your extra kevlar fibers....

Correct.

But this thread does raise the question of what to do with old-to-the-threads worn tires. I hate throwing 'em away, one can only have so many tire boots handy.... so then what?

Al

Get over it. Throw it away.

You could:
~cut 'em in to strips and weave them into a sweet doormat, rug, sock etc
~ring toss
~the old timey game where you roll a hoop down the street by wacking it with a stick
~hula hoop
the fun is endless!


jim

Set up a frisbee golf course in a local park, using the used tires as the "holes..." hung by a rope, from trees.

There ya go, that eats up 18 of the old things... you are on your own for the rest.

Inner tubes I use as cheap bungie cords...