Dyneema is known to be one of the strongest materials in the world. Dyneema is used across many different industries: the military and law enforcement utilize Dyneema in their bulletproof vests, stab-resistant vests, safety gloves, the fishing industry uses it for ropes and nets, and it is now used more than ever in outdoor equipment.
What is Dyneema made of
Dyneema is exclusively produced in the Netherlands by Dyneema itself. Dyneema, also known as UHMWPE, is a polyethylene with ultra-high molecular weight. The Dyneema fabric is composed of long molecular chains with exceptionally strong intermolecular bonds. This means it is the strongest of any thermoplastic available and is a super lightweight fiber that is up to 15 times stronger than steel and 40 times stronger than aramid fibers. Aramid fibers are another type of synthetic material that has similar properties, one of the most common types of aramid fiber is Kevlar.
Dyneema vests can still float on water and are extremely resistant to moisture, UV light, and chemicals. Likewise, the fiber is ultra-resistant to bases and acids, as well as organic solvents. At the same time, Dyneema is 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.
Dyneema's chemical composition allows it to boast many characteristics such as:
- Resistance to most chemicals
- Low density
- Invisible to ultraviolet light sources and thermal imaging devices
- Floats on water
- Smooth to the touch
- Flame-retardant and self-extinguishing
- Withstands extreme cold and hot temperatures
- Biologically inert (does not cause a reaction in the human body)
- High electrical resistance
- Low elongation at break, high energy required to break
- Very high strength
Dyneema is manipulated and manufactured in many different forms:
The most basic form functions as a sandwich laminate: Here, Dyneema fibers are laid on top of each other in a non-woven grid and melted between two layers of polyester film using a high-pressure autoclave. This is called Dyneema Composite Fabric. Another version adds a fourth layer of ripstop nylon to the layers, making it stronger, but this also adds more weight. In an even tougher version, the Dyneema fiber is woven into a form of yarn, which is later woven into a fabric and fused to the original fiber layers.
Dyneema in bulletproof vests
Depending on how a Dyneema vest is produced, it can withstand knife stabs, gunshots, fast-moving fragments, and rifle shots from weapons like the AK47. Dyneema is also used in bulletproof helmets, shields, and trauma plates. Dyneema vests provide maximum protection in a lighter, more flexible, comfortable, and mobile form.
Dyneema can reduce the weight of a bulletproof vest by up to 20% without compromising comfort, flexibility, or functionality.
Additionally, Dyneema uses less material to achieve the same performance and has a 30% lower carbon footprint than armor made with aramid.
- 20% material savings
- 30% less CO2 emissions
Quick overview of the benefits of Dyneema vests:
- 20% material savings
- 30% less CO2 emissions
- Ultra-light material
- Both bulletproof and stab-resistant
- Comfortable