Dyneema®
Also known as: UHMWPE fibre, PE-UHMW, Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre, weight for weight 15 times stronger than steel, for ballistics, climbing and sailing.
Description
Dyneema® is the trade name for fibres of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) drawn into extremely oriented filaments by gel spinning. Developed in the 1970s at DSM in the Netherlands; the brand is now owned by Avient. The technically related brand Spectra® from Honeywell is also on the market.
Weight for weight, Dyneema® is up to 15 times more tear-resistant than steel and about 40 % stronger than aramids. The fibre floats (density 0.97 g/cm³), is chemical- and UV-resistant but only usable up to about 90 °C. Typical applications: ballistic vests, sailing sheets, climbing ropes, fishing lines, cut-resistant gloves and lightweight trailer tarps.
- UHMWPE, molar mass 2–6 million g/mol
- Tensile strength 3–4 GPa
- Density 0.97 g/cm³ (floats)
- Temperature limit approx. 90 °C
Newer routes use supercritical CO₂ instead of solvents and significantly reduce the carbon footprint.
Properties
| Fibre class | UHMWPE |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Avient (formerly DSM) |
| Tensile strength | Standard SK75 ≈ 2.9 GPa; top grades (SK99) up to 3.7 GPa |
| Density | 0.97 g/cm³ |
| Use | Ballistics, sailing, climbing |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Dyneema Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyneema
- Wikipedia: UHMWPE Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene
