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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_po...

Dyneema vs. Kevlar data: 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=473209...

Spectra a polyethylene fiber from Honeywell:: https://www.honeywell-spectra.com/applications/textiles/

UHMWPE used in ropes: www.novabraid.com/rope-material/spectra-fiber-rope/




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


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


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.


F U HACKER NEWS for finding the ONE guy who could have possibly answered this question.

I love (f) U


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.




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