They re 4 times lighter in weight than steel cable and don t store kinetic energy like the steel cable does.
Dyneema winch rope vs steel cable.
Consider what 1 2 steel cable weighs in comparison.
Rope is also safer as it wont re coil when it does break it doesnt get stray strands that stab you when you touch them either.
Been using dyneema rope on offshore winches for 20 plus years.
Plus the d d ratio of a sheave is less than half of steel.
So if the cable breaks it will not snap as powerfully as a steel cable does.
Though the synthetic winch rope has a higher breaking strength it is breakable.
Ever imagine dragging around a 6 steel rope and end fitting.
It is also needs more maintenance once there is dirt in the rope as it goes under strain the dirt will sever the fibres so keeping it clean is important.
One guy can pull 150 feet of 1 2 dyneema tight.
Standard drum winches traction winches best stuff since canned beer and sliced bread.
Synthetic rope is even mandatory in many big sanctioned off road events.
Rope breaks heaps easier than steel cable.
500 tonne winches 6 diameter rope.