Strong, heat-resistant synthetic fibers more commonly known as "aramid fibers." Developed in the 1960s, after the creation of nylon, the first commercially introduced aromatic polyamide being the meta-aramid NOMEX, a DuPont product. More durable than nylon, it is used for, among other things, reinforcing material for aircraft and seismic reinforcement for structures. It is made by spinning condensed, polymerized metaphenylene isophthalamide (MPIA), which is made from meta-phenylenediamine (MPDA) and isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), into a fiber. Aromaticity refers to a polymer ring that is exceptionally stable; it has nothing to do with olfactory characteristics. Aramids are highly resistant to heat, often used as a substitute for asbestos, and compete with fibers such as Dyneema in applicatio