Ultra-oriented polyethylene fibers

Extended-chain polyethylene fiber became available commercially in 1984 when DSM, a Dutch firm in the Netherlands, introduced Dyneema , and Mitsui Petrochemicals in Japan announced Tekmilon . Allied Signal of the United States entered the field in 1985 when it introduced Spectra fibers. These materials are characterized by very high strength and modulus, which are achieved by the use of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene spun by the gel spinning method into fibers having extended-chain structures and near perfect orientation. 

From Figure 8.1 [6] it can be seen that in terms of modulus and tenacity (i.e., the tensile strength divided by the linear density) only the more expensive carbon fibers and some even more expensive, relatively new experimental heat-resistant fibers outperform the p-aramides. It is noteworthy that the oriented fibers of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), e.g., Dyneema , a product of DSM, The Netherlands, display tenacities and moduli in the same range as most p-aramids, however without having their excellent thermal and flame-resistance, as well as insolubility in most organic solvents. 

---