BIODEGRADATION OF POLY (p-PHENYLENE TEREPHTHALAMIDE) FIBER BY MICROORGANISM

Abstract

Poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers (Kevlar 29) were degraded by A. flavus on agar slant medium. The biodegradation resulted in the increase in diameter and the bending of fiber, but did not cause complete disintegration of fibers. The aspects of the biodegradation of Kevlar 29 were remarkably different from those of Kevlar 49.