Dyneema is basically equivalent to Spectra fiber, and yes, it has largely been rejected as a material for fabric or linear composite construction due to lousy bonding properties. It can be an amazing fiber when used for rigging (ropes, lines, etc), but even there, it has a couple potential achilles heels: 1)incredibly slippery, making many conventional knots ineffective. 2) very low melting point. If it is used raw (not protected by a much higher melting point braided sheath) then another line (of any kind) dragging across it in one spot can easily produce enough localized heat from friction to simply melt through it. It is no wonder then, that Dyneema and Spectra have probably found their best niche in the low-stretch cores of high performance rigging lines (racing sailboats, etc.) ususally surrounded by braided, friction resistant sheathing, which solves both key problems, protecting from friction burn, and making knots more effective.
Exposed braided spectra has found an interesting utility niche as control line for maneuverable multiline sport kites, where it's slippery nature is actually a gift, since these kites need to remain maneuverable even when the lines are twisted around one another from having done one or more 360deg maneuvers with the kite. This particular friction is not a problem for burn-through, because it is spread enough over length not to concentrate the heat in one spot. A sport kite with good quality braided spectra line can easily be turned 10 times in one direction and still be maneuverable. Try that with almost any other fiber.... Not surprisingly, the ends of the lines that attach to control bars and to the kite are usually sleeved for knotting and anti-chafe. More than you wanted to know, Lift, Scobie in Seattle RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
