High Performance Polyethylene Fibers

Abstract

This Chapter reviews the manufacturing, properties, and applications of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers and composites. UHMWPE fibers like Dyneema from DSM and Spectra from Honeywell are made by gel-spinning, possessing impressive strength, and modulus values, especially when their specific values are taken into account. These properties together with a relatively high strain-at-break give them extraordinary energy absorption characteristics. While the absence of specific interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, are beneficial for ultra-drawing and achieving a high axial stiffness and strength, the penalty one has to pay for these characteristics is that the oriented UHMWPE fibers have poor lateral strength, resulting in a low shear and compressive strength, while they are also prone to creep. Consequently, UHMWPE fibers are less suitable for applications in structural composites. Their high strain-at-break provides, however, unique possibilities for applications where impact resistance is important and when combined with a fiber like carbon it can result in engineering composites with an excellent balance in structural mechanical properties and energy absorption.