Ultra-High Strength Polyethylene Fiber and its Applications

SPECTRA^®is a new high specific modulus, high specific strength and low specific gravity fiber made from polyethylene. Major applications of interest at OCEANS/86 include marine and oceanographic ropes, as an electromechanical cable strength member, for fish netting, as a replacement for wire, and for use in composite structures such as boat hulls, impact shielding and instrument housings. The proprietary technology used in the production of these materials provides a unique range of fiber properties. Tensile strengths are 7 to 10 times that of steel for its weight and up to 60% higher than the aramids. Specific gravity is 0.97, which means it floats. Chemical and abrasion resistance is excellent as are the dielectric properties. This paper includes data on the fiber and the results of application studies on SPECTRA based products. Accelerated abrasion, including cycling over sheaves, wilt show that SPECTRA based ropes have demonstrated life cycles approximately 1000% greater than ropes made with other high modulus, high strength fibers.