UHMWPE Fibre Properties and Performance
topic
Properties: tensile strength 3.5-4.0 GPa (Dyneema SK78), 4.0-4.5 GPa (SK99), modulus 110-190 GPa depending on grade, elongation 2.5-3.5%, density 0.97 g/cm³ (lowest among high-performance fibres), specific strength 3600-4600 MPa/(g/cm³) (highest of any fibre—15× steel, 40% higher than aramid), excellent abrasion resistance, chemical resistance (resistant to most acids/bases except oxidizing acids), but melting point only 144-152°C (low thermal stability), creep under sustained load, and UV sensitivity requiring stabilizers.
Role
Unmatched specific strength combined with flexibility, abrasion resistance, and chemical stability enables applications where weight is critical (ballistic protection, ropes, sailcloth), but low melting point excludes high-temperature applications and complicates processing.