In-depth | DEEPWATER OPERATIONS
DSM Dyneema releases Dyneema XBO for deepwater operations
DSM Dyneema has launched a new product to replace steel wire for deepwater installations. Dyneema XBO fibre improves benefits already found in Dyneema SK75/SK78 fibres by an overlay finish applied to the fibre and allows rope manufacturers to enhance the bending performance of their ropes.
U
ltra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre has been used in the maritime
and offshore industries for more than 20 years, replacing steel wire rope (SWR) in applications where light weight and high performance is required. DSM Dyneema has made its name as a leading manufacturer of quality fibre and has built on its reputation with the introduction of Dyneema XBO. Dyneema XBO fibre has all of the
same benefits for the operator as other Dyneema fibre rope used in the offshore industry – namely SK75 and SK78 – such as being of equal strength to SWR but seven times lighter in weight with neutral buoyancy. DSM Dyneema’s latest offering features a silicone-based finish added to the fibre. The overlay formula and application process have been optimised in a way that maximises the rope’s life in cyclic bending critical applications. It is generally understood that the
weight of steel wire can consume up to 50% of the winch capacity in ultra deepwater installations, therefore by substituting steel with ropes made with Dyneema XBO, systems can carry higher loads, or go deeper, or they can be downsized while retaining their deepwater installation capacity – freeing up vital deck space and also power requirements. Laboratory tests undertaken by DSM
Dyneema have highlighted that the improvement in performance of fibre rope is directly proportional to the amount of coating contained within the rope. Most of the popular rope coating technologies used today apply the coating to the finished rope, or apply the coating in the yarn or strand twisting operation of the manufacturing
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DSM Dyneema fibre improves the bending performance of rope in deepwater offshore operations (Credit: DSM Dyneema).
Graph depicting the bending cycles to failure for XBO versus fibre without overlay finish (Credit: DSM Dyneema).
Offshore Marine Technology 3rd Quarter 2010
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