Overview of Dyneema PPE

Despite an estimated 300,000 hand injuries each year and a cost to businesses of over $700 million, 70% of workers aren't wearing any hand protection, while another 30% aren't wearing the right glove. That statistic is incredible, and not in a good way. That's why companies like MCR Safety invest in educating users on the differences in personal protective equipment (PPE) and the materials that make up that protection. One of those materials that help keep workers protected from sharp objects is Dyneema®.

Dyneema® was the first HPPE ultra-lightweight fiber to hit the market, allowing for gloves that provide superb cut protection, increased abrasion resistance, durability, and natural hand movement. 

Dyneema® was the first HPPE ultra-lightweight fiber to hit the market, allowing for gloves that provide superb cut protection, increased abrasion resistance, durability, and natural hand movement. We manufacture all types of protective gloves and sleeves with Dyneema®. And we know that users are safer around sharp objects when wearing cut-resistant gloves and sleeves made with technology.  Unlike nylon, standard leather, or polyester, Dyneema® minimizes the risk of injury while maximizing flexibility and feel for the task.

What is Dyneema?

Dyneema® is a premium brand of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber used for various products ranging from fishing line, rope and even cut-resistant work gloves. Dyneema® fiber is a gel-spun, multi-filament fiber that provides wearers with high-strength products for some challenging environments.

Dyneema® Diamond Technology is the latest unique and highest-performing Dyneema® technology introduced.  It doubles the cut resistance of the material over standard Dyneema® fiber by spinning specially engineered microparticles into the polymer.  MCR Safety has outfitted all of its gloves with the latest technology. 

The material is 15 times stronger than quality steel. For gloves and sleeves, industries like law enforcement, automotive, and metal fabrication rely on fiber to keep them safe from sharp objects. For our technical readers, we encourage you to check out the Dyneema Fact Sheet, which breaks down its chemical resistance and thermal and mechanical properties. 

Here are some additional helpful resources we know will help those seeking to understand this high-performing fiber better:

• HPPE Educational Page
• Dyneema Laundering Guide
• Dyneema Technology
• All About Cut-Resistant Levels

Benefits of The Fiber and Material 

Let’s look closely at Diamond Technology and highlight what makes it unique.  Here are the relevant factors when comparing gloves to discover if Diamond Tech gloves are what you need:

• Strength.  Dyneema® Diamond Technology is up to 15 times stronger than steel and 40% stronger than aramids, based on a weight-for-weight basis. Given this strength, it requires less material to reach the same level of cut protection and does this with double the useful service life. 
  
  
• Cut and Abrasion Resistance.  Dyneema® is the world’s strongest fiber, meaning cut-resistant products are super strong and perform exceptionally well. We list the scores below in our product section. 
  
  
• Durable. PPE made from Dyneema® Diamond Tech holds up daily, and many options provide dirt-masking properties. Not only that but the color is embedded into the fibers. So they continue to look good and are also washable. As a result, they last longer and maximize cost efficiency. 
  
  
• Comfortable.  Products allow all-day use by radiating the heat away from your hands. They are also thinner and lightweight, adding yet more comfort while in use.
  
  
• Confidence. They’re strong, cut, abrasion-resistant, durable, and comfortable. All that adds to the confidence of the individual wearing the PPE.

In addition to these five factors, when considering total cost, you can expect to purchase just nine pairs of gloves per employee per year versus 26 pairs of aramid gloves. That adds up to a 55% savings. It's a big reason why many users will turn to Dyneema, even if there is no immediate concern for cut injuries. 

Nylon vs. Dyneema

As we highlight in our article Tips for Choosing Nylon vs. Polyester Gloves, nylon is a low-cost fiber that provides excellent tensile strength and high elasticity. However, compared to Dyneema, nylon doesn't come close to this high-performing juggernaut. Dyneema strength cannot be beaten by a material designed for everyday gloves. However, the cost goes up for increased performance, which users must embrace.

Dyneema® Diamond Technology creates cut-resistant gloves with considerably thinner fibers than alternative products, such as nylon. 

Dyneema Gloves

Work gloves made with Dyneema® Diamond Technology achieve the same cut performance as comparable conventional products – but with much thinner fibers. They are often 40% lighter and offer high-performing cut resistance.  Below are some of our top-selling styles. 

MCR Safety CutPro® Ninja® Max Cut Resistant Work Gloves 10 Gauge Dyneema® Diamond A3 cut-resistant gloves

MCR Safety CutPro® 13 Gauge Dyneema® Diamond A3 cut-resistant gloves

MCR Safety CutPro® 18 Gauge Dyneema® Diamond A2 cut-resistant gloves