The Grand Prix series from Continental is the benchmark for racing tyres. The construction of each model and materials used within each tyre are state of the art. The new Grand Prix 4000 continues the tradition of innovation. The Grand Prix 4000 is the first racing tyre to implement Vectran technology and is therefore lighter, yet tougher than its predecessor, the Grand Prix 3000.

The Continental corporation has developed a special production process to use the outstanding features of this liquid crystal polymer fibre. One thing that hasn't changed since 1871 : The new Grand Prix 4000 is still originally "handmade in Germany".

The Material

Vectran is a multifibred thermo-plastic yarn, made of melted Vectra Liquid Crystal Polymer. Vectran is the only LCP fibre in the world, which is made using a spinning process. Reinforcing and matrix fibers made of Vectran are lightweight, extremely durable, have reliable longevity and are five times as strong as steel.

Production

Vectran is based on polyester (PET) chemistry rather than nylon and it offers advantages over aramids similar to PET over nylon. (Just as "aramid" is an abbreviation of "aromatic polyamide", Vectran is an "arester" (ar-omatic poly-ester). Advantages include near-zero moisture absorption, excellent fatigue performance, and improved dimensional stability. Vectran also has much better resiatance to flex/fold/buckling - essential for relaibility in low-tension flexing or induced twist in fabric, rope, or cable applications.

Chemistry

Vectran is a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) derived from polyester chemistry. Because LCP polymer forms a crystal structure in the melted state, that crystal orientation is retained when the polymer is converted to fibre form. The result is a fibre with an extremely high strength modulus and a resistance to flex fatigue and chemical attack.

Aerospace applications

Airbags made of Vectran were responsible for the soft landing made by the spacecraft Pathfinder on Mars on July 4th, 1997. In January 2004 the landing of the spacecraft Spirit from the American mission to Mars was absorbed by Vectran airbags. Vectran is lightweight and strong, so it's particularly suitable for usage in, for example, tow ropes.

High End Products

Vectran fibres are predestined for sporting products which have to fulfil extreme demands, for example as sailcloth for offshore competition yachts and paragliders. The highly dieelectric strength combined with its temperature resistance and its near zero moisture absorption reduces leakage flow dramatically and has made Vectran fabric a favourite material in the production of conductor boards, optical fibres and conductor reinforcements