UHMWPE (Dyneema, Spectra)
UHMWPE is a type of high-performance material found in many high-end outdoor products, such as boats, parachutes, and backpacks. It’s known under brands Dyneema and Spectra (both have similar properties).
Dyneema is made through polyethylene crystallization and is often called “the world’s strongest fiber.”
Dyneema is super-strong ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber offers maximum strength with minimum weight. This makes the number of possible applications virtually unlimited.
Dyneema fiber is 15x stronger than steel at the same weight, with a tensile strength up to 43 cN/dtex. As well as its extraordinary strength, Dyneema excels in cut and abrasion resistance and has a high resistance to chemicals and UV. Dyneema fiber is so light that it floats on water and furthermore has a very high modulus (resistance against deformation).
Dyneema is very good at static. But when it comes to dynamic loads it gets critical impact in cases when nylon climbing rope does not. To understand that we need to look into the point how rope can absorb impact when it is stretchy and when it’s not:
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