3 ms·

This is VERY cool. It took me into rabbit-hole of learning more about this material vs. Kevlar - Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE): https://en.

This is VERY cool. It took me into rabbit-hole of learning more about this material vs. Kevlar - Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_po... Dyneema vs. Kevlar data: http://bladebuster.ca/our-products/cut-resistant-clothing/dyneema-vs-kevla http://bladebuster.ca/our-products/cut-resistant-clothing/dy... Dyneema vs. Kevlar and new fibers for military: www.army-technology.com/features/feature98985/ Zylon that was used instead of Kevlar degraded due to body moisture: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4732098 https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=473209... Spectra a polyethylene fiber from Honeywell:: https://www.honeywell-spectra.com/applications/textiles/ https://www.honeywell-spectra.com/applications/textiles/ UHMWPE used in ropes: www.novabraid.com/rope-material/spectra-fiber-rope/

kathomuth 9y ago
Yes! That's the very same rabbit hole I fell into when I started out. It's really fascinating stuff.
dsr_ 9y ago
Friends use Dyneema and Spectra to make bowstrings (primarily for crossbows). They don't mind getting wet, don't stretch, and are extremely strong.
- exDM69 9y ago
  They do stretch a little over time. I have kite flying lines from Dyneema and Spectra, and they stretch over time and need to be equalized (move the knots so the lengths match). But it's very little, I had about 2.5cm change in 25m over a few years. That's 1 part in 1000. This is from irregular kite flying, so not under (very) high tension or constant stress. Fantastic materials, nevertheless.
  - samstave 9y ago
    F U HACKER NEWS for finding the ONE guy who could have possibly answered this question. I love (f) U
Zak 9y ago
I've seen spectra rope used to tow launch hang gliders. It resulted in a performance advantage over whatever it replaced because it could be much thinner and lighter.

kathomuth 9y ago

Yes! That's the very same rabbit hole I fell into when I started out. It's really fascinating stuff.

dsr_ 9y ago

Friends use Dyneema and Spectra to make bowstrings (primarily for crossbows). They don't mind getting wet, don't stretch, and are extremely strong.

exDM69 9y ago
They do stretch a little over time. I have kite flying lines from Dyneema and Spectra, and they stretch over time and need to be equalized (move the knots so the lengths match). But it's very little, I had about 2.5cm change in 25m over a few years. That's 1 part in 1000. This is from irregular kite flying, so not under (very) high tension or constant stress. Fantastic materials, nevertheless.
- samstave 9y ago
  F U HACKER NEWS for finding the ONE guy who could have possibly answered this question. I love (f) U

Zak 9y ago

I've seen spectra rope used to tow launch hang gliders. It resulted in a performance advantage over whatever it replaced because it could be much thinner and lighter.