IST has developed a Polyimide super-fibre called Imidetex with high modulus properties. © IST Corporation.

Sticking to its motto ‘Inventing technologies no-one can copy’ Japanese materials company IST Corporation will present its new Imidetex high-tech fibre to the sports market for the first time at ISPO Munich 2020. In addition to extremely high tensile strength and high temperature resistance, Imidetex is also said to have other ‘unbeatable’ properties to make outdoor sports and activities even safer and more enjoyable.

“Imagine an environment where temperatures go as low as -121°C and as high as 121°C with unforgiving UV rays coming directly from the sun. Polyimide is the synthetic material that can survive these temperatures unharmed and for the first time, IST has developed a Polyimide super-fibre called Imidetex with high modulus properties,” the company says.

“Now I.S.T Corporation will celebrate the introduction of the Imidetex Polyimide super-fibre to the sports market at ISPO Munich 2020. While Imidetex has an ultra-high tensile strength equivalent to Kevlar, it also boasts additional properties, including a high temperature resistance of up to 350°C, a low water absorbance ratio and a remarkable UV resistance,” IST said in a press statement.

“These features provide infinite opportunities for enhancing sporting goods and the quality of athletes' lives. Climbing to the summit of Mont Blanc, hang-gliding over the planet or sailing in the America’s Cup – Imidetex is the fibre for even better and safer equipment to face new sporting challenges.”

Story behind the invention

As IST is an R&D-oriented materials company, it always seeks to create what no-one has achieved before. Along the way, it learned that there was no such thing as ‘forever’ for outdoor sporting materials because of harsh environments. That led the company to think about how it could make an ultimate super-fibre using Polyimide. “Polyimide is one of the highest performance polymer materials, and even used in the aerospace industry. They decided to produce a fibre that can withstand anything,” IST says.

“The biggest challenge was forming Polyimide resin into a string shape before putting it in the oven. Polyimide resin is a honey-like resin which needs to be heated to 400°C in order to shape it. It took almost five years to perfect the process from composing the polymer to making the fibre. IST is very excited to open a new world of materials with Imidetex.”

© IST Corporation.

According to IST, Imidetex Is a novel fibre based on a unique ultra-violet stable polymer. The fibre has extremely high tensile strength and modulus allowing products made of the fibre to resist heavy loads. “A rope made of Imidetex is 80% lighter than steel ropes of comparable strength. Imidetex also has low water absorption and excellent UV resistance and has many potential applications in equipment designed for harsh environments,” the company concludes.

With the launch of its latest innovative material, Imidetex, IST aims to open up unlimited potential for the outdoor market. Under the leadership of CEO Toko Sakane, the company has been committed to continue innovating new technologies that can contribute to enriching people's lives. IST’s uncompromising drive for innovation continues.

www.istcorp.jp/en