Amsteel vs. Dyneema

As I've been reading and doing research on suspension systems, I've seen references to both Amsteel and Dyneema cordage.

Are these products just brand names of the basic same product kind of like Ford and Chevy? Or, are they fundamentally different in construction and usage?

I see that whoopie slings are made from Amsteel and that some manufacturers of hammocks (Warbonnet for one) uses Dyneema for their suspension. What's the difference? Is one better for a particular usage than the other?

Inquiring minds need to know. :rolleyes:

amsteel is made with dyneema fibers.

Dyneema and Spectra are both brand names for UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The individual fibres are very thin but incredibly long and straight and this provides UHMWPE with its strength. Lots of different ropemakers(eg. Samson) buy the fibres from DSM who license dyneema, and then spin them into lovely braid which we know as Amsteel Blue. Amsteel blue is made from a specific type of fibre called SK75. There are other grades of dyneema too, such as sk78 as used in Samsons AS78 hollow braid.

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Originally Posted by turnerminator

Dyneema and Spectra are both brand names for UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The individual fibres are very thin but incredibly long and straight and this provides UHMWPE with its strength. Lots of different ropemakers(eg. Samson) buy the fibres from DSM who license dyneema, and then spin them into lovely braid which we know as Amsteel Blue. Amsteel blue is made from a specific type of fibre called SK75. There are other grades of dyneema too, such as sk78 as used in Samsons AS78 hollow braid.

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This is better than the edumacation I get from watching Jeopardy and Walker Texas Ranger re-runs!

Seriously, great in-depth explanation.

Thanks to Turnerminator for the reply. You answered a couple of questions right off the bat.

I knew someone here would have the answer! Thanks again! :cool:

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Originally Posted by turnerminator

Dyneema and Spectra are both brand names for UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The individual fibres are very thin but incredibly long and straight and this provides UHMWPE with its strength. Lots of different ropemakers(eg. Samson) buy the fibres from DSM who license dyneema, and then spin them into lovely braid which we know as Amsteel Blue. Amsteel blue is made from a specific type of fibre called SK75. There are other grades of dyneema too, such as sk78 as used in Samsons AS78 hollow braid.

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I am impressed

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Originally Posted by Dutch

I am impressed

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Me too...!

Ski

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Originally Posted by turnerminator

Dyneema and Spectra are both brand names for UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The individual fibres are very thin but incredibly long and straight and this provides UHMWPE with its strength. Lots of different ropemakers(eg. Samson) buy the fibres from DSM who license dyneema, and then spin them into lovely braid which we know as Amsteel Blue. Amsteel blue is made from a specific type of fibre called SK75. There are other grades of dyneema too, such as sk78 as used in Samsons AS78 hollow braid.

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Wow - hopefully Samsons send you some free 7/64 for that sales knowledge. Opie - you have a new rep. :lol:

I spent a couple of hours on the Internet finding that out. Next time I'll just come here.
Now I'm using 3/8 nylon webbing. It seems less prone to tangels, easier to find and cheaper. Any one tried that?

Hello all, i recently bought some dyneema from rei to make a set of whoopies and before i get started i had a question.

It seems to me that this particular cordage does not have any room inside to bury an end, (Forgive me if this is a silly question, i've done a fair bit of diy sewing but never any project like this with cordage) almost like it is full of fibers. Could i have bought the wrong material or is this correct? It is not amsteel.

To clarify, i will be following xtrekker's ucr video on youtube for this project.

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Originally Posted by Nick79

Hello all, i recently bought some dyneema from rei to make a set of whoopies and before i get started i had a question.

It seems to me that this particular cordage does not have any room inside to bury an end, (Forgive me if this is a silly question, i've done a fair bit of diy sewing but never any project like this with cordage) almost like it is full of fibers. Could i have bought the wrong material or is this correct? It is not amsteel.

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You have to have a rope of the correct construction to make a whoopie sling. Specifically, single braid hollow core such as Amsteel Blue. As far as I can find, REI does not sell an appropriate rope.

You probably bought Bluewater dyneema accessory cord or something similar which will not work.

Thanks for the info

Wow! It never fails, everytime I log on I am blown away at the knowledge of the members on this forum. Thanks for the in depth explanation.

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Originally Posted by turnerminator

Dyneema and Spectra are both brand names for UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The individual fibres are very thin but incredibly long and straight and this provides UHMWPE with its strength. Lots of different ropemakers(eg. Samson) buy the fibres from DSM who license dyneema, and then spin them into lovely braid which we know as Amsteel Blue. Amsteel blue is made from a specific type of fibre called SK75. There are other grades of dyneema too, such as sk78 as used in Samsons AS78 hollow braid.

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I'm really tempted to incorporate this into my signature. It's just one of those things everyone should know.

At the risk of re-opening a 3+ year old thread, I am starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to ask a question on this forum. So far, all the questions I've been able to think of already have really thorough answers. Some even have really thorough videos of the answers! So, thanks from a 2017 rookie. :)

You probably have a spectra product(spectra where i live is a fibre core with a beaided protective coat of a lesser rated matetial)

You need to use a hollow braided rope or cord.

SINGLE is best but DOUBLE is possible if you want the frustration and tine involved.

The only double braided spliced ive seen is very thick stuff of 8mm and above.

I pulled this quote from the interwebs:

Dyneema[emoji768] fibers are available in three versions: SK75, SK78 and SK90 since late 2009. SK75 and SK78 are very similar in terms of features, the biggest difference is the creep (elongation under continuous high load). SK75 has a little creep and SK78 not (negligible). The SK90 variant is, as specified by DSM itself, 13% stronger than previous versions and of course lighter. Also the SK90 shows like SK75 little creep. Lines with creep are less suitable for backstays, but the amount of creep in SK75 (and SK90) is small and therefore, in addition to SK78, often this material also is used for backstays.

I thought we had a discussion on this a few years ago and the consensus was that Amsteel was made from SK75 and Amsteel Blue was made from SK78.
Again, I could be wrong. Regardless, I want to know more about this SK90!!

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Originally Posted by Foxpoop

...Regardless, I want to know more about this SK90!!

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What's to know? 3mm has 3400 lb breaking strength and is pricey....https://www.westmarine.com/buy/new-e...04?recordNum=5

I bought some years ago out of curiosity and used it for shortened dogbones on my nightly sleeper bridge hammock where overkill is an understatement.

Attachment 153366

I would be interested to see the stats on a SK90 based 2.5 mm (3/32") single braid. It could be lighter than 7/64" Amsteel but as strong as 1/8".

Looks like we are behind and SK99 is the thing now....https://www.marlowropes.com/product/...rand-prix-rope ...scroll down and click on specifications.

It's an old post, but I finally know the difference between my Dyneema 2.0mm and 2.5mm ropes and Amsteel 7/64" rope. Yes, they all are made of Dyneema SK75 fiber, but they are different ropes. See more details in my other post https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...13#post1954613