HMPE (Plasma, Spectra, Dyneema)
High modulus polyethylene fibers produced by gel-spinning ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHWPE)
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Highest abrasion resistance of any fiber
- Excellent dynamic toughness
- Very low elongation (3% - 5%)
- Excellent flex fatigue resistance
- Low resistance to heat
- Susceptible to creep
LCP (Vectran)
High modulus fiber produced by melt-spinning from thermotropic liquid crystalline aromatic polyester
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Zero creep
- Excellent flex fatigue resistance
- Good abrasion resistance
- High resistance to heat (melting point of 626°F/330°C)
ARAMID (Kevlar, Twaron, Technora)
A manufactured high modulus fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic aromatic polyamide in which at least 5% of the amide linkages are attached directly to aromatic rings
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Excellent resistance to heat (chars at 800° F/427° C)
- Negligible creep
- Susceptible to axial compression fatigue
- Poor abrasion resistance
PBO (Zylon)
PBO consists of rigid rod chain molecules of poly (p-phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole)
- Highest strength-to-weight ratio of any fiber
- Highest resistance to heat of among high modulus fibers (decomposes at 1200°F)
- Negligible creep
- Poor abrasion resistance
- Should be protected against degradation from light sources
Polyester (Pet, Pen)
Includes polymers composed of linear macromolecules having in the chain at least 85% by mass of an ester of a diol and terepthalic acid
- Excellent general purpose fiber
- Highest UV resistance of any fiber
- Good abrasion resistance
- Good strength-to-weight ratio
- Moderate elongation (15% - 20%)
Polyamide (Nylon)
A manufactured fiber composed of linear macromolecules having in the chain recurring amide linkages, at least 85% of which are joined to aliphatic or cycloalophatic units
- Good strength-to-weight ratio
- Good shock absorbing characteristics
- Good UV resistance
- High elongation (30% - 40%)
Copolymer (Olefin, Polyester)
The molecular combination of olefin (polypropylene/polyethylene) fibers together or with other fibers such as polyester
- Moderate strength combined with moderate elongation
- Light weight (floating)
- Good abrasion resistance
Polyolefin (PE, PP)
A class of polymers in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethene (ethylene), propane (propylene), or other olefin units
- Light weight (floating)
- Low cost
- General purpose fiber
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