Articles
  • Kevlar-alumina and Kevlar-silicon carbide composites for sculptural installations exploring flexibility, rigidity, and aesthetic potential
  • Xiaowen Pana, Shicheng Yana,* and Meitong Yangb

  • aSchool of Arts and Media, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning, 113122, China
    bSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning, 113122, China

  • This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The intersection of fiber arts and ceramic materials offers a transformative avenue for creating innovative sculptural installations that balance flexibility and rigidity. This research focuses on integrating Kevlar, a high-performance synthetic fiber known for its tensile strength and heat resistance, with ceramic materials such as Al2O3 and SiC. These ceramics, chosen for their mechanical durability and compatibility with high-temperature processes, are incorporated into large-scale sculptures through techniques such as weaving, braiding, and layering. Kevlar serves as a resilient framework, providing structural support while accommodating the intricate forms and textural interplay of ceramics. The study investigates the behavior of Kevlar in combination with these ceramics during firing and post-processing, highlighting their synergistic potential for creating lightweight, thermally stable, and structurally robust sculptures. Surface treatments, including ceramic glazes and oxide finishes, further enhance the aesthetic and functional qualities of the installations, offering rich textures and vibrant visual effects. Key findings demonstrate the feasibility of Kevlar-alumina and Kevlar-silicon carbide composites for innovative sculptural installations, suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. This work expands the boundaries of fiber arts and ceramics, providing new opportunities for material exploration in contemporary art and sustainable design practices.


Keywords: Ceramic glaze, Sculpture, Kevlar, Ceramic composite.

This Article

  • 2025; 26(1): 172-176

    Published on Feb 28, 2025

  • 10.36410/jcpr.2025.26.1.172
  • Received on Nov 12, 2024
  • Revised on Dec 17, 2024
  • Accepted on Dec 17, 2024

Correspondence to

  • Shicheng Yan
  • School of Arts and Media, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning, 113122, China
    Tel : +8618640245199 Fax: +8618640245199

  • E-mail: shichengyour@163.com