Black Dyneema

Apparently, yesterday DSM introduced "Black Dyneema". Exact same properties as the white stuff, but they somehow managed to color in black.
Interested to see how soon this ends up in climbing gear, and when we'll see other hues of dyneema coming out.

dsm.com/products/dyneema/en…

Pretty sure colors already exist...? But maybe I'm wrong.

Matt Carroll wrote:Pretty sure colors already exist...? But maybe I'm wrong.

Not the dyneema itself. That's why dyneema slings are always white with accent colors, the color is added after the fact but can wear off (or they integrate some other material into the sling for coloration).

Colored Dyneema??

I have both a red/white dyneema slings and a blue/white dyneema slings. Botht he white and blue seem to be the same material.

From an archived page from the manufacturer DSM Dyneema's website:

"Dyneema yarns are cut to staple fibers and spun to lower or special deniers for special applications. Chopped Dyneema fibers have also been tested in a large number of spun yarn combinations with other fibers for knitted gloves and protective clothing. Dyneema is white and cannot be dyed, but can be mixed with other textiles for a stippled effect."

Learn something new everyday

Seems like this would be useful in situations where you need to be stealthy at night - like military gear. Can't imagine why color would matter to climbing gear, so I doubt we'll see it showing up anytime soon if it's more expensive.

Em Cos wrote:Can't imagine why color would matter to climbing gear, so I doubt we'll see it showing up anytime soon if it's more expensive.

You mean you don't choose your climbing gear based on the color it comes in?!?!?

In all seriousness though, at this summer's OR show Black Diamond's new color lineup for their biners included a lot of black, I wouldn't be surprised to see them integrate this into their quickdraws in the future; all the trust fund kids will buy it to make sure that their gear is distinguishable from everyone else's (because everyone knows that gear tape is so last year...).

John Wilder wrote: The colored yarns in your slings are nylon. Dyneema cannot be dyed, as it will not hold a color.

While it is true it cannot be dyed, it can be colored. Sampson has been coloring dyneema for years--they call their product AmSteel-Blue which is made out of SK-78 Dyneema. They achieve the color effect through a coating of sorts which is apparently a secret. Anyway, AmSteel-Blue is used in the off road realm as a synthetic winch rope replacement, as well as in the industrial sector for various uses, and their entire trademark is that the material is blue (although they now make it in several colors).





I believe the reason Dyneema in climbing slings is always white is simply because the coloring technique Sampson uses is preparatory and it would not be worth the cost of buying the material through them.