Zylon (PBO) Fibre
High-modulus PBO fibre for motorsport tethers and anti-intrusion, distinct from aramid and UHMWPE.
Overview
Zylon is the trade name for PBO — poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) — a rigid-rod polymer fibre with exceptional tensile modulus and temperature capability compared with para-aramid or UHMWPE. It is specified as yarn, woven fabric or unidirectional tape for Formula 1 tethers, hypercar anti-intrusion packs and specialist safety nets. It is not Kevlar (para-aramid) and not Dyneema-class UHMWPE. PBO keeps more of its modulus at elevated temperature, which is why it appears in wheel tethers, halo-adjacent textiles and door anti-intrusion stacks on LVHV programmes. UV and hydrolysis need design attention; fibre is typically protected in a jacket or composite stack. Buyable forms are filament yarn, woven cloth and pre-cut tapes. It is a safety textile, not a structural chassis fibre like carbon.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
PBO Fibre
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Very high tensile modulus
- Better high-temperature retention than aramid
- Distinct from Kevlar and UHMWPE
- UV and hydrolysis sensitive
- Textile yarn and fabric form
- Motorsport safety default for tethers