Dyneema is trademarked as the world’s strongest fibre

Dyneema is trademarked as the world’s strongest fibre

Dyneema is a high-strength synthetic fibre that is capable of protecting an individual or vehicle from threats like an improvised explosive device (IED) or shots from an AK47. If you took a block of Dyneema and block of steel, on a weight-for-weight basis
the block of Dyneema would be 15 times stronger than the steel block. The lightweight fibre is strong and mouldable, yet it can withstand significant explosions and extreme weather conditions. There are other synthetic fibres similar in characteristics, like
Kevlar, but only Dyneema is trademarked as the world’s strongest fibre.

Chemistry has allowed humans to create a myriad of new inventions and improve on innumerable existing ones. Through research, we’ve created synthetic materials that are stronger than the metals we’ve used for centuries. One synthetic fibre invented in the
last several decades is being implemented into many protective gear and vehicles because of its sheer strength and durability. Militaries, law enforcement and civilian industries are using the synthetic fibre called Dyneema to protect lives and equipment.

Dyneema is advantageous to police forces and militaries not only because it’s able to withstand extreme conditions and explosions, but also because it’s lightweight and can be applied to many kinds of vehicle designs and specifications. Even though Dyneema
is being used to help save lives and protect vehicles, it isn’t only used in these life-threatening situations. Dyneema is also created for commercial use in the shipping, medical, and metalworking industries as well.

In order to fully appreciate this invention and to understand it’s uses in armoured vehicles, bullet-resistant vests and other applications we first need to understand a little bit about how it’s constructed and why it’s so strong.

Dyneema fibre is a gel-spun, multi-filament fibre that is created from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Polyethylene is a common chemical combination used in many plastics, but Dyneema’s is much more than a common plastic.

On a weight-for-weight basis, Dyneema is 15 times stronger than steel and is 40 percent stronger than aramid fibres. Aramid fibres are another type of synthetic material that has similar characteristics, although not all; one of the most common types of
aramid fibre is Kevlar.

Dyneema can be created as a continuous filament yarn, used for things like strong ropes or nets, or as a unidirectional sheet. The unidirectional sheet is created in layers with one layer placed on top of another at a 90-degree angle to the layer beneath
it. This layering allows the fibre to absorb harsh impacts and disperse energy quickly and efficiently to other layers.

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Posted by M. Omer Iqbal bhatti on Nov 4 2011. Filed under Sci-Tech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry