Breakthrough in outdoor applications with Dyneema® Composite Fabric

A LinkedIn article previously published by Keith McDaniels, Marketing Manager, Consumer & Professional Protection.

Dyneema® Composite Fabric represents a versatile technology platform that enables trailblazing brands to develop high performance products for tents, backpacks and many more innovative applications for the outdoor market. The quest for lightweight fabrics leads to Dyneema® fiber and next, Dyneema® Composite Fabrics. Why? Dyneema® fiber is the world’s strongest fiber™ and Dyneema® Composite Fabrics take advantage of this super strength to minimize fabric weight, while also adding functional properties, like increased water resistance. The result is not possible with traditional nylon or polyester fabrics.

Dyneema® Composite Fabric is a patented, high-performance laminate fabric constructed from non-woven composite material using ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, "Dyneema®") fibers. Our range of tent fabrics are made with three layers of different materials sandwiched together to provide unique properties. In the middle layer, there are non-woven Dyneema® fiber filaments aligned in the 0° and 90° directions. On the outside, at the top and bottom, there are thin transparent layers of polyester membrane. Dyneema® fiber has an unmatched strength to weight ratio that by weight is up to 5x stronger than nylon fiber, yet still light enough to float on water. When compared to a typical silicon coated woven nylon used in tent walls,  Dyneema® Composite Fabric is at least 30% lighter by weight.

Next to that, Dyneema® Composite Fabrics are 100% waterproof and they absorb very little water so a tent wall will not become saggy when wet. The Hydrostatic Head water resistance property of Dyneema® Composite Fabric can be up to 20,000mm H₂O. This rating means how much water pressure the fabric can hold before water starts to penetrate (i.e., a column of water 20 meters tall!). In comparison, the most common rating for fabrics in the tents application is only around 2,000mm H₂O. All tents made with Dyneema® Composite Fabric are designed to keep you dry in any weather condition.

Besides the performance benefits, Dyneema® Composite Fabric enables our partners to commit to sustainability, in terms of selecting products with low carbon footprint. Dyneema® fiber is made using 100% renewable energy and is also sourced from renewable Bio-based feed stock. Dyneema® is the first ever bio-based ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. Our analysis indicates that the carbon footprint of Dyneema® Composite Fabric is 27% lower than SilNylon.

Are you interested in learning more about applications with Dyneema® Composite Fabrics? If so, please contact me directly. 

Keith McDaniels
Marketing Manager
DSM
keith.mcdaniels@dsm.com