New high performance hybrid composites with dyneema® fiber

The light weight and high strength of carbon fiber reinforced composites has resulted in it being widely adopted in many demanding applications such as in aerospace, automotive and sporting equipment. However, it is generally known that the brittle failure mechanism of these materials limits where and how it can be used. By combining carbon fiber together with Dyneema®, which is respected as the premium brand for high modulus lightweight fiber made from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), it is possible to significantly improve the impact performance and ductility of the resultant hybrid composite. This paper demonstrates how it is possible to use Dyneema® fiber, specifically SK99 together with carbon fiber to produce a hybrid composite containing carbon with Dyneema® that possesses both light weight, structural and significantly improved impact performance.