This article introduces a new material: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, together with carbon fiber and aramid fiber, is known as one of the world’s three major high-tech fibers. Given its light weight, high strength and high specific energy absorption, it has gradually replaced aramid fiber to become the fiber of choice for personal ballistic protection.
UHMWPE fiber refers to polyethylene fiber with a molecular weight of more than 1 million. UHMWPE has a simple, highly ordered and unbranched molecular structure, and its molecular chains contain no polar functional groups; after drawing, the structure becomes extremely dense, giving the material advantages such as light weight, high strength, good flexibility and good chemical stability.
The specific strength of UHMWPE fiber is more than ten times that of steel wire of the same cross-section and more than three times that of carbon fiber and aramid 1414. UHMWPE fiber also has higher specific impact energy absorption, at 1.8, 2.6 and 3 times that of carbon fiber, aramid and ordinary glass fiber composites respectively, and its ballistic resistance is 2.6 times higher than that of aramid armor structures, making it the main material for manufacturing ballistic vests today.
Development History
In 1957, the U.S. company Allied Chemical first produced UHMWPE
In 1979, the Dutch company DSM filed the first invention patent for UHMWPE fiber. DSM subsequently built five UHMWPE fiber production lines and achieved industrial-scale production, registering the product under the trade name Dyneema
In 1983, Japan’s Mitsui Petrochemical Industries produced UHMWPE fiber by gel extrusion and ultra-drawing with paraffin as the solvent, under the trade name Tekmilon
In 1986, the U.S. company AlliedSignal purchased the Dutch patent, developed its own production process and filed a patent for it, and achieved commercial production in 1988
In 1999, China achieved industrial production of UHMWPE fiber
In 2008, Yizheng Chemical Fibre built China’s first industrial dry-spinning UHMWPE fiber production line
In 2016, China’s annual output of UHMWPE fiber exceeded 9,000 tons
In 2019, global UHMWPE fiber capacity reached 64,600 tons per year, of which China accounted for about 41,000 tons per year, more than 60% of the global total
Industry Status
1. UHMWPE fiber is a scarce material worldwide, and there is currently a considerable capacity gap. On the demand side, UHMWPE fiber demand is expected to reach more than 100,000 tons per year in the coming years, indicating huge market potential;
2. UHMWPE fiber is one of the materials prioritized in China’s technological innovation and national development. Large-scale production in China is maturing, but problems such as high production costs and weak technological innovation capability remain, and product applications are confined to the traditional safety protection and ropes & cables industries. New application areas urgently need to be cultivated and developed in order to enhance the international competitiveness of these products.
Market Size Forecast
According to statistics and forecasts from Grand View Research, the global UHMWPE fiber market was worth USD 761.1 million in 2019 and is expected to grow to USD 1,406.7 million by 2027, a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% from 2020 to 2027.
Major Research Institutions / Companies
China: Shandong Aidi, Shanghai Silei, Jiangsu Qiangnima, Yizheng Chemical Fibre, Hunan Zhongtai, Ningbo Dacheng, Beijing Tongyizhong, Jiujiujiu Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Qianxilong…
Overseas: DSM (Netherlands), Honeywell (U.S.), Toyobo (Japan), Mitsui Petrochemical Industries (Japan)…
PS: The above list is in no particular order, and all names are abbreviations.
Application Cases
Ropes & cables: vehicle winch ropes, drag chute cords, fishing net ropes…
Image source: Tuchong Creative
Protective equipment: ballistic vests, ballistic helmets, ballistic armor, riot shields, cut-resistant gloves…
Image source: Tuchong Creative
Sails and nets: mainsails and jibs, fishing nets and safety nets, fishing rods and fishing line…
