Dyneema rope

Dyneema rope is made from UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), a polyethylene with an extremely high molecular weight. Through the gel-spinning process, discovered by DSM in 1965, very long polymer chains are formed that give the material its exceptional strength. Dyneema® is a brand name of Avient (formerly part of DSM) and the original UHMWPE rope. Prorope offers Dyneema in two variants: SK75 as the versatile all-rounder and T70 as an extra soft, supple variant.

Technically, Dyneema and Prorope HMPE are virtually identical. Both are made from high-grade UHMWPE fibres with comparable properties: extremely high breaking strength, minimal elongation, low weight, and excellent chemical resistance. The difference lies in price and availability. Dyneema is a premium brand name, available in stock in two variants: SK75 (yellow) and T70 (grey). Prorope HMPE offers the same performance at a more competitive price, is supplied as standard in blue, and is available in almost any colour on request — ideal for colour-coding or corporate identification.

Dyneema floats. With a specific gravity of 0.98 g/cm³, it is lighter than water. Furthermore, Dyneema absorbs virtually no water, meaning its weight and strength remain constant in wet conditions. This makes it ideal for maritime applications and water sports.

Dyneema is stronger than steel on a weight-for-weight basis. A Dyneema rope has a breaking strength comparable to steel wire rope of the same diameter, but weighs only a fraction of it. This makes handling safer and easier, particularly in lifting, winching, and maritime applications where weight saving is critical.

Dyneema is widely used in demanding environments:

• Sailing & water sports: halyards, sheets, trimming lines
• Industry & lifting: hoisting lines, block-and-tackle, safety lines
• Offroad & 4x4: winch lines, recovery lines, tow lines
• Kite sports & paragliding: control and safety lines
• Rescue & defence: abseil lines, helicopter hoisting lines, recovery systems

Yes, Dyneema offers excellent resistance to UV light and abrasion, making it suitable for prolonged outdoor use. It also has outstanding resistance to salt water, acids, and oil-based products. For permanent outdoor applications with intensive UV exposure, variants with a coating or protective sheath are available.

The melting point of Dyneema lies between 144°C and 152°C. Note that the material begins to soften at approximately 125–130°C. Avoid localised overheating caused by friction. For applications involving high temperatures or frictional heat, we recommend alternatives such as Kevlar rope.

Three important points to consider:

• Pre-tensioning: For maximum strength, first tension the rope without applying the full load. This sets the rope, after which the full working load can be applied.
• Bend radius: Never use bends smaller than 1/10th of the rope diameter. For a 10 mm rope, the minimum bend radius is therefore 100 mm.
• Temperature: Avoid localised overheating caused by friction. The material begins to soften at 125–130°C.

At Prorope, we supply Dyneema rope in diameters from 2 mm up to and including 16 mm. We also stock ultra-thin Dyneema cord from 0.8 mm with a polyester sheath for lightweight applications. For heavy towing applications, thicknesses up to 28 mm are available with breaking strengths of up to 900 tonnes.

Yes, at Prorope you can order Dyneema rope by the metre or in bulk. You choose the diameter and length yourself. We also supply complete winch lines with hook and tow lines with spliced eyes. Do you have a specific application or would you like advice on the right variant (SK75, T70, or Prorope HMPE)? Contact our specialists.