Dyneema® is an UHMwPE (Ultra High Molecular weight Polyethylene) or HMPE (High Modulus Polyethylene) fibre developed by DSM in the Netherlands some 30 years ago. Known as the world’s strongest, lightest fiber – 15 times stronger than steel, yet floats on water – Dyneema® works to stop bullets, repair human joints and improve the longevity of apparel. For Marlow, Dyneema® is an ingredient material in many of our highest performance ropes and is used across our range from kite lines to heavy lift slings. So what makes Dyneema® so special?
High Strength: On a weight for weight basis, Dyneema® is 15 times stronger than steel wire
Light Weight: Size for size, a rope made with Dyneema® is 8 times lighter than steel wire rope.
Water resistant: Dyneema® is hydrophobic and does not absorb water, meaning it remains light when working in wet conditions.
It Floats: Dyneema® has a Specific Gravity of 0.97 which means it floats in water (specific gravity is a mesure of density. Water has an SG of 1, so anything with SG<1 will float and an SG>1 means it will sink)
Chemical resistance: Dyneema® is chemically inert, and performs well in dry, wet, salty and humid conditions, as well as other situations where chemicals are present.
UV Resistant: Dyneema® has very good resistance to photo degradation, maintaining its performance when exposed to UV light