{ "spore": "profile", "id": "dyneema-spectra-hmpe-fibre", "spore_version": "0.2", "family": "polyolefins", "name": "Dyneema and Spectra HMPE fibre (ultra-high-strength polyethylene fibre)", "abbreviation": "HMPE", "role": "high-strength polyethylene fibre for tethers, lines, rope and ballistic products", "category": "polymers", "type": "polyolefins", "summary": "Dyneema and Spectra are high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fibres, a gel-spun form of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with a molar mass of 2 to 6 million daltons. The MiniFIBERS datasheet for a Dyneema SK crimped staple prints a specific gravity of 0.975 and a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa, and recommends continuous use at 70 °C or lower. Wikipedia gives a density as low as 0.97 g/cm3 for Dyneema SK75 and yield strengths as high as 2.4 GPa for gel-spun fibres. The sources disagree on UV: the staple datasheet rates UV durability as excellent, while a 2022 barrier-net study found that UV ageing lowers breaking strength faster than salt spray.\n", "best_for": "Lightweight tethers, mooring lines and lifting slings where strength for weight matters, with a specific gravity of 0.975 and a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa for the staple", "weakest_at": "Heat and UV: a continuous use limit of 70 °C for the staple, and UV ageing that breaks polymer chains faster than salt spray in a 2022 barrier-net study", "identity": { "formula": "(C2H4)n, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre", "designations": [ { "system": "Trade name", "code": "Dyneema", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Gel spinning section, sentence on Dyneema commercialised by DSM" }, { "system": "Trade name", "code": "Spectra", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Gel spinning section, sentence on Spectra commercialised by Honeywell" }, { "system": "Trade name", "code": "Dyneema® SK75", "source": "dyneema-portfolio", "where": "Lifting, lashing and rigging table, first row" }, { "system": "Trade name", "code": "Dyneema® SK78", "source": "dyneema-portfolio", "where": "Lifting, lashing and rigging table, SK78 row" }, { "system": "Trade name", "code": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Document title, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple" } ], "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Lead paragraph (HMPE name and molar mass of 2 to 6 million daltons). The formula is the polyethylene repeat unit; the sources read do not print it for the fibre." }, "tags": { "environments": [], "stresses": [ "extreme-heat" ], "applications": [ "structures" ] }, "properties": [ { "benchmark": "density", "label": "Specific gravity, Dyneema SK crimped staple (2.0 dpf)", "value": 0.975, "bound": "exact", "unit": "g/cm3", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH", "filament": "2.0 denier per filament", "test": "not printed on the page" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet, which says it describes typical values and is not a specification", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Specific Gravity row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength", "label": "Tenacity, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 3, "bound": "exact", "unit": "GPa", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "~3.0 GPa (the same row also prints about 32 to 38 g/den)" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Tenacity row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "elastic_modulus", "label": "Modulus, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 104, "bound": "exact", "unit": "GPa", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "~104 GPa (the same row also prints 1127 to 1297 g/den)" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Modulus row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "elongation", "label": "Elongation, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 4, "bound": "upper", "unit": "%", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "<4.0%" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Elongation row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "shrinkage_boiling_water", "label": "Shrinkage in boiling water, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 1, "bound": "upper", "unit": "%", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "<1.0%" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet; benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Shrinkage Boiling Water row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "melting_point", "label": "Melting range, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 144, "value_high": 152, "bound": "exact", "unit": "°C", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "144-152oC / 290-306oF" }, "method": "Typical value printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet, Effect of Heat paragraph", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "max_service_temp", "label": "Recommended continuous use temperature, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 70, "bound": "upper", "unit": "°C", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": "70oC or lower" }, "method": "Recommendation printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet, Effect of Heat paragraph", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "decomposition_temperature", "label": "Decomposition temperature, Dyneema SK crimped staple", "value": 300, "bound": "lower", "unit": "°C", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "product": "Dyneema SK Crimped Staple, 2.0 dpf", "printed_as": ">300oC / 572oF" }, "method": "Printed on the MiniFIBERS datasheet, Effect of Heat paragraph; benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row", "source_detail": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "density", "label": "Density, Dyneema SK75 gel-spun fibre (as low as)", "value": 0.97, "bound": "lower", "unit": "g/cm3", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "grade": "Dyneema SK75", "form": "gel-spun fibre", "temperature": "not stated" }, "method": "Stated in a Wikipedia article (secondary source); the article says \"as low as\" for this grade", "status": "ground", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Gel spinning section, density sentence (SK75 named in the same sentence)", "source_detail": { "title": "Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Wikipedia", "id": "Wikipedia article, properties, gel spinning and uses sections", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene", "kind": "web", "license": "CC BY-SA, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "yield_strength", "label": "Yield strength, gel-spun HMPE fibre (as high as)", "value": 2.4, "bound": "upper", "unit": "GPa", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "form": "gel-spun fibre (Dyneema or Spectra)", "grade": "not named in this sentence", "basis": "the article reports yield strength, not tensile strength" }, "method": "Stated in a Wikipedia article (secondary source); the article says \"as high as\"", "status": "ground", "note": "This is a yield strength in a secondary article, not a datasheet tenacity; the staple datasheet reports tenacity in GPa.", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Gel spinning section, strength sentence", "source_detail": { "title": "Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Wikipedia", "id": "Wikipedia article, properties, gel spinning and uses sections", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene", "kind": "web", "license": "CC BY-SA, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "molar_mass", "label": "Molecular mass, UHMWPE (typical range as stated)", "value": 2, "value_high": 6, "bound": "exact", "unit": "million daltons", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "basis": "general UHMWPE molecular mass as stated in the article; not a fibre test" }, "method": "Stated in a Wikipedia article (secondary source); benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Lead paragraph", "source_detail": { "title": "Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Wikipedia", "id": "Wikipedia article, properties, gel spinning and uses sections", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene", "kind": "web", "license": "CC BY-SA, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "melting_point", "label": "Melting point, Marlow D12+ 75/78 rope (Dyneema SK75 or SK78 braid)", "value": 140, "bound": "exact", "unit": "°C", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "form": "single braid rope, 12 x 1 construction", "material": "Dyneema SK75 or SK78" }, "method": "Printed on the Marlow Ropes datasheet, Key Specifications", "status": "ground", "note": "The rope sheet gives 140 °C, and the staple datasheet gives 144 to 152 °C. Both are recorded because they differ by form.", "source": "marlow-d12", "where": "Key Specifications, Melting Point row", "source_detail": { "title": "Marlow Ropes D12+ 75/78 datasheet (single braid rope, Dyneema SK75 or SK78)", "id": "D12+ 75/78, 2024 datasheet", "url": "https://shop.marlowropes.com/content/files/datasheets/defence/datasheets%20with%20iso%2014001/d12+%207578%202024.pdf", "year": 2024, "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "max_service_temp", "label": "Critical temperature, Marlow D12+ 75/78 rope", "value": 80, "bound": "exact", "unit": "°C", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "form": "single braid rope, Dyneema SK75 or SK78", "printed_as": "80°C (exposure to temperatures over this will result in permanent strength loss)" }, "method": "Printed on the Marlow Ropes datasheet, Key Specifications", "status": "ground", "source": "marlow-d12", "where": "Key Specifications, Critical Temperature row", "source_detail": { "title": "Marlow Ropes D12+ 75/78 datasheet (single braid rope, Dyneema SK75 or SK78)", "id": "D12+ 75/78, 2024 datasheet", "url": "https://shop.marlowropes.com/content/files/datasheets/defence/datasheets%20with%20iso%2014001/d12+%207578%202024.pdf", "year": 2024, "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" } }, { "benchmark": "breaking_force", "label": "Breaking force after salt spray ageing, UHMWPE fibre barrier net", "value": 655, "bound": "exact", "unit": "N", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "specimen": "UHMWPE fibre marine barrier net, salt spray aged", "ageing": "salt spray, 60 days", "test": "tensile test to Chinese standard GB/T 4925-2008, as the article states" }, "method": "Measured in a 2022 laboratory study; benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "mdpi-barrier-net", "where": "Results, Figure 9a text (salt spray environment)", "source_detail": { "title": "Study on the Aging Behavior of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Barrier Net in a Marine Environment", "id": "Materials 2022, 15(16), 5599, doi 10.3390/ma15165599", "url": "https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/PMC9413766/fullTextXML", "year": 2022, "kind": "paper", "license": "CC BY (MDPI, open access); read from full-text XML on Europe PMC" } }, { "benchmark": "breaking_force", "label": "Breaking force after hygrothermal ageing, UHMWPE fibre barrier net (10 days)", "value": 703, "bound": "exact", "unit": "N", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "specimen": "UHMWPE fibre marine barrier net", "ageing": "hygrothermal, 10 days", "test": "tensile test to Chinese standard GB/T 4925-2008, as the article states" }, "method": "Measured in a 2022 laboratory study; benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "mdpi-barrier-net", "where": "Results, Figure 9b text (hygrothermal environment)", "source_detail": { "title": "Study on the Aging Behavior of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Barrier Net in a Marine Environment", "id": "Materials 2022, 15(16), 5599, doi 10.3390/ma15165599", "url": "https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/PMC9413766/fullTextXML", "year": 2022, "kind": "paper", "license": "CC BY (MDPI, open access); read from full-text XML on Europe PMC" } }, { "benchmark": "breaking_force", "label": "Breaking force after hygrothermal ageing, UHMWPE fibre barrier net (30 days)", "value": 725, "bound": "exact", "unit": "N", "scope": "material", "conditions": { "specimen": "UHMWPE fibre marine barrier net", "ageing": "hygrothermal, 30 days", "test": "tensile test to Chinese standard GB/T 4925-2008, as the article states" }, "method": "Measured in a 2022 laboratory study; benchmark name is not in the property canon", "status": "ground", "source": "mdpi-barrier-net", "where": "Results, Figure 9b text (hygrothermal environment, after the slight increase)", "source_detail": { "title": "Study on the Aging Behavior of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Barrier Net in a Marine Environment", "id": "Materials 2022, 15(16), 5599, doi 10.3390/ma15165599", "url": "https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/PMC9413766/fullTextXML", "year": 2022, "kind": "paper", "license": "CC BY (MDPI, open access); read from full-text XML on Europe PMC" } } ], "corrosion": [ { "environment": "Sunlight and ultraviolet light", "headline": "UV is the main ageing route in the sources, although the datasheets rate UV resistance highly.", "effect": "The MiniFIBERS staple datasheet states excellent resistance to sunlight and UV degradation. The Marlow rope sheet rates UV resistance as very good. Wikipedia calls UV damage one notable drawback of UHMWPE rope. In a 2022 study of a UHMWPE fibre barrier net, the fibre showed obvious cracks and damage after UV irradiation, and the paper states that UV energy lowers breaking strength more efficiently than salt spray.", "rating": "moderate", "conditions": { "basis": "datasheet ratings and a laboratory UV lamp test (UVA-351 type 1A lamp) on a barrier net; no outdoor service test was read" }, "source": "mdpi-barrier-net", "where": "Section 2.2.1 (UV aging experiment), Results text on UV irradiation (Figure 5c text) and Figure 9 discussion" }, { "environment": "Chemicals and solvents", "headline": "The staple datasheet reports excellent chemical resistance, and only strong oxidisers are named as attackers.", "effect": "The staple datasheet states excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and most chemicals, and says only strong oxidizers are able to attack the mechanical properties. The Marlow rope sheet also rates chemical resistance as excellent to most chemicals.", "rating": "low", "conditions": { "basis": "datasheet statements; no test condition or chemical list is printed" }, "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Chemical Resistance row (Marlow rope sheet, Chemical Resistance row, second source)" }, { "environment": "Hot air above the continuous use limit", "headline": "Strength and modulus fall as temperature rises, with a continuous use limit of 70 °C for the staple.", "effect": "The staple datasheet says strength and modulus decrease at higher temperatures and recommends continuous use at 70 °C or lower. The Marlow rope sheet gives a critical temperature of 80 °C, above which exposure results in permanent strength loss.", "rating": "moderate", "conditions": { "basis": "two datasheets, one for a staple (2.0 dpf) and one for a rope (Dyneema SK75 or SK78 braid); no test duration printed" }, "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row (Marlow rope sheet, Critical Temperature row, second source)" } ], "risks": { "hazards": [ { "text": "The UHMWPE sheet-grade SDS (TIVAR VMX) prints GHS Classification None, Signal Word None and no hazard statements. This is a UHMWPE sheet SDS, not a Dyneema or Spectra fibre SDS, and no fibre SDS was read in this run.", "ghs": [], "source": "tivar-vmx-sds", "where": "Section 2, GHS Classification block" }, { "text": "The same SDS states that dust is flammable and can form an explosive mixture with air when finely divided, and that the explosion hazard applies to dusts, not granular forms of the product.", "ghs": [], "source": "tivar-vmx-sds", "where": "Fire-fighting and handling text on dust hazards" } ], "failure_risks": [ { "mode": "Heat-induced loss of strength", "trigger": "Continuous use above 70 °C for the staple, or exposure above the 80 °C critical temperature for the rope", "consequence": "Strength and modulus decrease at higher temperatures, and the rope loses strength permanently above its critical temperature.", "severity": "high", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row (Marlow rope sheet, Critical Temperature row)" }, { "mode": "UV chain breaking", "trigger": "Long sunlight or UV exposure of an unprotected fibre", "consequence": "In a 2022 barrier-net study, breaking strength fell faster under UV than under salt spray, and the fibre showed cracks after UV irradiation.", "severity": "moderate", "source": "mdpi-barrier-net", "where": "Results text on UV ageing and Figure 5c text" }, { "mode": "Creep under sustained load", "trigger": "Load held for long periods at elevated temperature", "consequence": "Creep is a factor of load, temperature and time, per the rope sheet, and the SK78 grade is described as offering improved creep performance.", "severity": "moderate", "source": "marlow-d12", "where": "Product description and Creep row" } ], "side_effects": [ { "text": "Will burn slowly if ignited in atmospheric conditions, and is qualified as self-extinguishing on removal of the flame.", "affects": "Fire response near the fibre product", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row" } ], "handling": [ { "text": "The staple datasheet says that in air the fibre is stable for many years.", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Durability row" }, { "text": "Keep the fibre below the continuous use limit given on the staple datasheet, which is 70 °C or lower.", "source": "dyneema-sk-staple-tds", "where": "Datasheet, Effect of Heat row" } ], "mitigations": [ { "text": "Use the lower of the two heat limits in the sources read, since the rope sheet critical temperature of 80 °C is for a different form from the staple.", "source": "marlow-d12", "where": "Key Specifications, Critical Temperature row" } ] }, "uses": [ { "application": "structures", "device": "Space tether", "example": "UHMWPE was used for the 30 km (19 mi) long, 0.6 mm (0.024 in) thick space tether in the ESA/Russian Young Engineers' Satellite 2 of September, 2007.", "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Uses section, space tether sentence (the article does not name the grade flown)" }, { "application": "structures", "device": "Mooring lines, sailing lines and engineered lifting slings", "example": "Dyneema SK78 is listed for mooring lines, sailing lines, and general purpose and engineered lifting slings, with the printed property High strength, high safety and reliability. High fatigue, creep, abrasion and extreme temp. resistance.", "source": "dyneema-portfolio", "where": "Lifting, lashing and rigging table, SK78 row" }, { "application": "structures", "device": "Single-braid all-round rope", "example": "Marlow D12+ is a single braid rope made from Dyneema SK75 or SK78, offered as a lightweight, high strength and flexible alternative to steel wire.", "source": "marlow-d12", "where": "Product description" } ], "supply": [ { "subject": "Ethylene (monomer for UHMWPE)", "producers": [], "critical_lists": [], "substitutes": [], "source": "wiki-ethylene", "where": "Lead paragraph (world production) and Industrial process section" }, { "subject": "Gel-spun HMPE fibre (Dyneema and Spectra)", "abundance": "Producers named in the sources, with no tonnages or country shares given: DSM (Dyneema), Honeywell (Spectra), Avient Protective Materials (Dyneema trademark).", "producers": [], "critical_lists": [], "substitutes": [], "source": "wiki-uhmwpe", "where": "Gel spinning section (trade names); MiniFIBERS datasheet, trademark line" } ], "media": [], "documents": [ { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "type": "datasheet", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf" }, { "title": "Dyneema product portfolio, fibre grades and uses", "type": "datasheet", "url": "https://www.dyneema.com/design-with-dyneema/dyneema-product-portfolio" }, { "title": "Marlow Ropes D12+ 75/78 datasheet (Dyneema SK75 or SK78)", "type": "datasheet", "url": "https://shop.marlowropes.com/content/files/datasheets/defence/datasheets%20with%20iso%2014001/d12+%207578%202024.pdf" }, { "title": "Study on the Aging Behavior of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Barrier Net in a Marine Environment, Materials 2022, 15(16), 5599", "type": "paper", "url": "https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165599", "year": 2022 }, { "title": "TIVAR VMX food-grade UHMW-PE safety data sheet (UHMWPE sheet grade, not a fibre SDS)", "type": "sds", "url": "https://www.boedeker.com/Portals/0/Safety%20Data%20Sheets%20SDS/MCAM/MCAM-TIVAR-VMX-FOOD-GRADE-UHMW-EN-SDS-1609-211004-feb-2024.pdf", "year": 2024 } ], "gaps": [ "No safety data sheet for a Dyneema or Spectra fibre was read in this run; the hazard entries use the TIVAR VMX UHMWPE sheet-grade SDS and say so.", "No outgassing, atomic oxygen, radiation or vacuum data for HMPE fibre was read in this run, so none is recorded.", "Tensile strength of Dyneema SK75 filament in a datasheet was not read in this run; the tenacity recorded is from the staple datasheet, and the SK75 yield value is from the Wikipedia article.", "UV breaking strength in newtons after UV exposure is not printed in the barrier-net text read; the UV evidence is qualitative and the numeric rows are salt spray and hygrothermal ageing only.", "Melting onset of 127.7 °C and typical density, elongation and yield values in the Wikipedia article are for UHMWPE in general, not for this fibre, and are not recorded.", "Marlow relative density of 0.97 is printed without a unit, so it is not recorded; the Wikipedia density of 0.97 g/cm3 for SK75 is recorded instead.", "Non-canonical benchmark names are used for decomposition temperature, shrinkage in boiling water, molar mass and breaking force, because the property canon has no matching name.", "No producer tonnages, country shares or critical-mineral listing were found for HMPE fibre or for ethylene by country.", "Chemical resistance is recorded as datasheet statements only; no chemical list or test condition was read.", "Cut-resistance and ballistic grade data on the Dyneema portfolio page are not recorded because they have no numeric value on the page read." ], "story": { "why": "Dyneema and Spectra are high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fibres, a gel-spun form of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with a molar mass of 2 to 6 million daltons. The MiniFIBERS staple datasheet gives a specific gravity of 0.975 and a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa, so the fibre is light for the load it carries. Wikipedia gives a density as low as 0.97 g/cm3 for Dyneema SK75. The fibre is used where strength for weight matters, such as space tethers, mooring lines and lifting slings.", "uses": [ { "where": "Space tether", "line": "The ESA and Russian Young Engineers' Satellite 2 flew a UHMWPE space tether in 2007, according to the Wikipedia article. The article does not name the grade." }, { "where": "Mooring and lifting", "line": "Dyneema SK78 is listed by Dyneema for mooring lines, sailing lines and engineered lifting slings, with high fatigue, creep and abrasion resistance." }, { "where": "Single-braid rope", "line": "Marlow builds an all-round single-braid rope from Dyneema SK75 or SK78, as a lighter alternative to steel wire." } ], "can_do": [ { "label": "Light for its strength", "line": "The staple datasheet prints a specific gravity of 0.975. Wikipedia gives 0.97 g/cm3 for Dyneema SK75, and says ships' hawsers made from the fibre float on sea water.", "benchmark": "density", "scope": "material", "value": "0.975 g/cm3" }, { "label": "High tensile strength", "line": "The staple datasheet prints a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa. Wikipedia gives gel-spun fibre yield strengths as high as 2.4 GPa, which measures a different quantity.", "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength", "scope": "material", "value": "about 3.0 GPa" }, { "label": "Stiffness", "line": "The staple datasheet prints a modulus of about 104 GPa.", "benchmark": "elastic_modulus", "scope": "material", "value": "104 GPa" }, { "label": "Load after salt spray", "line": "A UHMWPE fibre barrier net kept a breaking force of 655 N after salt spray ageing in the 2022 study.", "benchmark": "breaking_force", "scope": "material", "value": "655 N" } ], "compare": "The staple, the rope and the barrier net in this profile differ in form, so their values are not ranked against each other. The staple datasheet gives a continuous use limit of 70 °C, while the rope sheet gives a critical temperature of 80 °C with permanent strength loss above it, so the rope value should not be read as the staple's. The staple tenacity of about 3.0 GPa and the gel-spun yield strength of 2.4 GPa measure different things. The UHMWPE sheet profile in this set is a moulded form and is not compared here.", "compare_rows": [ { "label": "Density", "benchmark": "density", "scope": "material" }, { "label": "Tensile strength", "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength", "scope": "material" }, { "label": "Modulus", "benchmark": "elastic_modulus", "scope": "material" } ], "handling": [ "Specify the form (staple, rope or barrier net), since the heat limits and breaking forces differ between them.", "Keep the fibre below the 70 °C continuous use limit for the staple, and below the 80 °C rope critical temperature.", "Check the current supplier data sheet for the grade in use, since no fibre SDS was read for this profile." ], "good_for": [ "Light load-bearing lines: a specific gravity of 0.975 for the staple, and 0.97 g/cm3 for Dyneema SK75.", "High tensile load per weight: a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa for the staple.", "Chemical exposure: excellent chemical resistance is stated on the staple datasheet and the rope sheet." ], "watch_out": [ "Heat: the continuous use limit is 70 °C for the staple, and the rope sheet gives a critical temperature of 80 °C.", "UV: the 2022 barrier-net study found that UV ageing lowers breaking strength faster than salt spray, although the datasheets rate UV resistance highly.", "Creep under load: creep depends on load, temperature and time, per the rope sheet.", "Melting: the staple melts at 144 to 152 °C and the rope sheet gives 140 °C, so the value depends on the form read." ], "verdict": "Dyneema and Spectra HMPE fibre is a light, high-strength polyethylene fibre, with a specific gravity of 0.975 and a tenacity of about 3.0 GPa for the staple datasheet read. Its limits are heat, with a 70 °C continuous use limit, and UV ageing, which the barrier-net study found to be faster than salt spray. No space-flight, outgassing or atomic oxygen data were found for this fibre.", "recipe": { "line": "Dyneema and Spectra are made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, polymerised from ethylene with Kaminsky (metallocene) or Ziegler-Natta catalysts, and gel-spun from solution into oriented fibre, per the Wikipedia article. Wikipedia describes them as lightweight high-strength oriented-strand gels spun through a spinneret. Standard atomic weights for carbon and hydrogen are published by NIST.", "parts": [ { "name": "Ethylene", "symbol": "C2H4", "role": "The only monomer, polymerised to the repeat unit. The catalyst and processing set the chain length and the fibre form, not the chemistry." }, { "name": "Carbon", "symbol": "C", "role": "Two carbons per repeat unit, forming the -CH2-CH2- backbone." }, { "name": "Hydrogen", "symbol": "H", "role": "Four hydrogens per repeat unit, on the backbone carbons." } ] }, "risk_groups": [ { "title": "For people", "lead": "The sheet-grade UHMWPE SDS gives no GHS classification, but its dust can burn or explode. No Dyneema fibre SDS was read.", "points": [ { "label": "Classification", "line": "The TIVAR VMX SDS prints GHS Classification None and Signal Word None, with no hazard statements." }, { "label": "Dust", "line": "Finely divided dust can be flammable and form an explosive mixture with air, per the same SDS." } ], "level": 0, "verdict": "No GHS classification in the UHMWPE SDS" }, { "title": "If it fails", "lead": "The failure routes in the sources are heat, UV and creep under load.", "points": [ { "label": "Heat", "line": "The staple datasheet gives a continuous use limit of 70 °C and says strength and modulus decrease at higher temperatures." }, { "label": "Rope", "line": "The Marlow rope sheet gives a critical temperature of 80 °C, above which exposure results in permanent strength loss." }, { "label": "UV", "line": "In the barrier-net study, UV ageing lowered breaking strength faster than salt spray, and the fibre showed cracks after UV irradiation." } ], "level": 2, "verdict": "Heat and UV both weaken the fibre" }, { "title": "Handling", "points": [ { "label": "Temperature", "line": "Keep the fibre below the continuous use limit of 70 °C on the staple datasheet." }, { "label": "Sunlight", "line": "Protect exposed lines from long sunlight exposure, since the barrier-net study found UV the most damaging of the ageing routes it tested." } ] } ] }, "updated": "2026-11-01", "review": { "status": "draft", "method": "assistant", "checked_values": 16, "unreachable": 0, "caveats": 5, "note": "Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01 from the pages named in each entry. The Dyneema staple values come from a MiniFIBERS datasheet PDF read with pdftotext. The SK75 density and yield strength come from a Wikipedia article (secondary source). Rope values come from a Marlow datasheet. The barrier-net breaking forces come from a 2022 paper read from its full text. Caveats: no Dyneema or Spectra safety data sheet was read, the hazard entries use a UHMWPE sheet-grade SDS; no fibre tensile datasheet for SK75 was found; the rope melting point (140 °C) and staple melting range (144 to 152 °C) differ and are both recorded; UV evidence is partly qualitative." }, "sources": { "dyneema-sk-staple-tds": { "title": "MiniFIBERS technical data sheet, Dyneema SK Crimped Staple (product code prefix PEDYN-020NLH)", "id": "PI-TDS Dyneema SK Crimped Staple", "url": "https://www.minifibers.com/files/TD/PI-TDS_Dyneema-SK-Crimped-Staple.pdf", "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" }, "dyneema-portfolio": { "title": "Dyneema product portfolio, fibre grades and uses (Dyneema website)", "id": "Dyneema product portfolio page", "url": "https://www.dyneema.com/design-with-dyneema/dyneema-product-portfolio", "kind": "web", "license": "manufacturer web page, linked not reproduced" }, "wiki-uhmwpe": { "title": "Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Wikipedia", "id": "Wikipedia article, properties, gel spinning and uses sections", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene", "kind": "web", "license": "CC BY-SA, linked not reproduced" }, "marlow-d12": { "title": "Marlow Ropes D12+ 75/78 datasheet (single braid rope, Dyneema SK75 or SK78)", "id": "D12+ 75/78, 2024 datasheet", "url": "https://shop.marlowropes.com/content/files/datasheets/defence/datasheets%20with%20iso%2014001/d12+%207578%202024.pdf", "year": 2024, "kind": "datasheet", "license": "manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced" }, "mdpi-barrier-net": { "title": "Study on the Aging Behavior of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Barrier Net in a Marine Environment", "id": "Materials 2022, 15(16), 5599, doi 10.3390/ma15165599", "url": "https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/PMC9413766/fullTextXML", "year": 2022, "kind": "paper", "license": "CC BY (MDPI, open access); read from full-text XML on Europe PMC" }, "nist-atomic-weights": { "title": "NIST Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions for carbon and hydrogen", "id": "NIST standard atomic weight intervals, C and H", "url": "https://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/Compositions/stand_alone.pl?ele=C&all=all&ascii=html", "kind": "database", "license": "public domain (NIST)" }, "tivar-vmx-sds": { "title": "Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, TIVAR VMX food-grade UHMW-PE safety data sheet (Boedeker copy, Feb 2024)", "id": "UHMWPE sheet-grade SDS, rev. Feb 2024", "url": "https://www.boedeker.com/Portals/0/Safety%20Data%20Sheets%20SDS/MCAM/MCAM-TIVAR-VMX-FOOD-GRADE-UHMW-EN-SDS-1609-211004-feb-2024.pdf", "year": 2024, "kind": "datasheet", "license": "safety data sheet, linked not reproduced" }, "wiki-ethylene": { "title": "Ethylene, Wikipedia", "id": "Ethylene article, production and industrial process sections", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene", "kind": "web", "license": "CC BY-SA, linked not reproduced" } }, "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "url": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/dyneema-spectra-hmpe-fibre/" }