Dyneema®
In 2020, the VELMET company began to produce armor elements of 1 and 2 protection levels according to DSTU 8782: 2018, as well as elements of tactical protective equipment (including explosion-proof equipment) from Dyneema® ballistic fabric.
What is Dyneema? Its advantages, characteristics
Dyneema is a high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (HPPE marking) that is produced using a unique fiber synthesis process called "gel spinning" or "gel spinning".
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of DSM NV for UHMWPE fiber. There are different names (abbreviations) of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE), such as: High perfomance polyethylene, HPPE (high quality polyethylene), High modulus polyethylene, HMPE (high modulus polyethylene).
UHMWPE began to be used in the industry in the second half of the 20th century, the production of fibers began in the 1970s, and the unique manufacturing technology gives the fibers unique properties:
- Superior strength (Dyneema fibers are 15 times stronger than steel).
- Nearly zero elongation - less than 1.5%
- Immunity to water and the vast majority of other solvents
- Excellent wear resistance, abrasion resistance
- High resistance to UV, oils, aggressive natural substances and environments
- High frost resistance
- Low coefficient of friction
- Lack of memory effect
- Convenience of work, ease of weaving, light weight
Dyneema fibers are several times stronger than all polyamide "PA" (nylon, nylon), polyester "PET" (polyester, lavsan, dacron) and polypropylene "PP" fibers, as well as aramid fibers (kevlar, technora, twaron) by 30 -45%.
Due to the above properties, materials from Dyneema have found wide application in various fields:
- used for the production of body armor, plates, explosion-proof equipment;
- in aviation and military equipment for creating a protective layer of the hull in modern tanks, airplanes, helicopters, car armoring, as well as for the manufacture of lines for paragliders, kites;
- synthetic ropes with a Dyneema core are used as halyards, cables in the rigging of sailing ships, yachts, cables for winches;
- in industrial, sport and recreational fishing for the manufacture of nets, tackle of high strength;
- in mountaineering for lifting various loads;