Polymers in Sport and Leisure

Report 135 

Polymers in Sport 

and Leisure 

R.P. Brown 

Volume 12, Number 3, 2001

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Source of 

original article 

Title 

Location 

Item 1 

Macromolecules 

33, No.6, 21st March 2000, p.2171-83 

EFFECT OF THERMAL HISTORY ON THE RHEOLOGICAL 

BEHAVIOR OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES 

Pil Joong Yoon; Chang Dae Han 

Akron,University 

The effect of thermal history on the rheological behaviour of ester- and 

ether-based commercial thermoplastic PUs (Estane 5701, 5707 and 5714 

from B.F.Goodrich) was investigated. It was found that the injection 

moulding temp. used for specimen preparation had a marked effect on the 

variations of dynamic storage and loss moduli of specimens with time 

observed during isothermal annealing. Analysis of FTIR spectra indicated 

that variations in hydrogen bonding with time during isothermal annealing 

very much resembled variations of dynamic storage modulus with time 

during isothermal annealing. Isochronal dynamic temp. sweep experiments 

indicated that the thermoplastic PUs exhibited a hysteresis effect in the 

heating and cooling processes. It was concluded that the microphase 

separation transition or order-disorder transition in thermoplastic PUs could 

not be determined from the isochronal dynamic temp. sweep experiment. 

The plots of log dynamic storage modulus versus log loss modulus varied 

with temp. over the entire range of temps. (110-190C) investigated. 57 refs. 

GOODRICH B.F. 

USA 

Accession no.771897 

Authors and 

affiliation 

Abstract 

Companies or 

organisations 

mentioned 

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Solid State NMR of Polymers, P.A. Mirau, 

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Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Polymers, 

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Polymers in Sport 

and Leisure 

R.P. Brown 

ISBN: 1-85957-289-8

Polymers in Sport and Leisure 

Contents 

1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Artificial Surfaces .................................................................................................................................... 4 

2.1 Synthetic Grass Surfaces ................................................................................................................ 5 

2.2 Athletics Tracks .............................................................................................................................. 6 

2.3 Sports Hall Floors ........................................................................................................................... 6 

2.4 Equestrian Use ................................................................................................................................ 7 

2.5 Synthetic Snow and Ice................................................................................................................... 7 

2.6 Playgrounds .................................................................................................................................... 8 

2.7 Ground Conditioning ...................................................................................................................... 8 

3. Clothing .................................................................................................................................................... 8 

4. Ball Games................................................................................................................................................ 9 

5. Athletics and Gymnastics...................................................................................................................... 11 

6. Winter Sports ......................................................................................................................................... 11 

7. Water Sports........................................................................................................................................... 12 

8. Motor Sports .......................................................................................................................................... 13 

9. Cycling .................................................................................................................................................... 13 

10. Miscellaneous ......................................................................................................................................... 13 

11. Standards ................................................................................................................................................ 14 

12. Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 14 

Additional References ................................................................................................................................... 14 

Appendix 1: International Standards ......................................................................................................... 15 

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database .............................................................................................. 21 

Subject Index ........................................................................................................................................................ 95 

The views and opinions expressed by authors in Rapra Review Reports do not necessarily reflect those of 

Rapra Technology Limited or the editor. The series is published on the basis that no responsibility or 

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1

2 

Polymers in Sport and Leisure


1 Introduction 

The general social and economic trend is that people 

live longer, work shorter hours, retire earlier, and have 

more free time and more disposable income. The 

obvious result is that increasingly they have more time 

and money to spend on leisure activities. Relatively 

recently, there has been something of a crusade to 

persuade people that they should actively exercise to 

improve health and fitness. The result, not surprisingly, 

is that now the majority of the population in, for 

example, the United Kingdom participate is some form 

of sport or exercise on a regular basis. It is unlikely 

that this trend will change in the near future. 

Governments and sports bodies have been aware of the 

value of sport in contributing to health and have 

encouraged participation, particularly amongst children 

and those nearing retirement. Large sums of both public 

and private money have been invested in improved 

facilities for sports activities. 

It is rather difficult to define the boundaries of what 

constitutes sport and leisure, which impacts on making 

sensible estimates of the total size of the market. Games 

such as soccer, baseball, cricket and hockey, together 

with athletics, are quite clearly understood to be sports. 

Many people consider angling to be a sport although 

in some of its forms it does not involve great exercise. 

Walking can be considered a sport or simply a leisure 

activity which involves exercise, but it certainly 

represents a significant market in footwear and clothing. 

Similarly, much of the participation in sailing, horse 

riding, cycling and motoring is a pastime rather than a 

sport but would generally be considered in the sport 

and leisure market. Gardening is an extremely popular 

leisure activity but is not thought of as sport. In terms 

of the market it is also possible to consider the 

expenditure by spectators rather than participants on 

items such as promotional clothing to disposable 

binoculars for viewing. Defining the market accurately 

is perhaps not important but it can easily be appreciated 

that it is very large and very diverse. 

Whilst the participation in sport and leisure activities, 

and hence the market for sports goods, has been 

generally increasing there have been, and doubtless will 

continue to be, marked changes in the popularity of 

particular activities. The growth of some activities can 

be related to the availability of facilities. Several 

decades ago there were few golf courses, squash courts 

or gymnasia available to the public and the range of 

sports which could be called popular was much more 

limited than now. The increase in popularity and the 

availability of facilities inevitably have a financial link 

both in the level of investment by the public and private 

sectors and the ability of the population to afford the 

activity. An obvious example is skiing and other winter 

sports which previously were afforded by very few 

people. Inevitably, the widening of the range of 

available activities has adversely affected some 

traditional sports, notably team games, although this 

has been largely masked by the overall increase in 

participation. 

Fashion has a significant effect on sport popularity; it 

is doubtful that the enormous rises in the use of 

gymnasia or walking were predicted in advance, nor 

what causes the rise and fall in interest in skate 

boarding. Fashions can change rapidly and, as with 

most things, vigorous marketing by commercial 

interests can be very persuasive on the public. Hence, 

it is probably impossible to confidently predict which 

areas will enjoy significant growth and which will suffer 

decline in the next decade. However, it is likely that 

the largest growth will be in individual sports rather 

than team games and that diversification will continue. 

Figures for the USA show that overall spending on 

sports goods rose at 3%-6% annually through the 

1990s but was a little less in 1999 (130). This included 

a significant drop in footwear, particularly for 

basketball, but an increase in demand for exercise and 

soccer equipment! It is significant that the spend on 

athletic footwear was said to be twice that on sports 

equipment. The US sales for sports equipment and 

recreational transport was reported as about $40 

billion in 1998 (171). 

The expansion of the sports and leisure industry has 

been nothing but good news for the polymer industry. 

This has not simply been because of the volume 

increase in sports goods but because of the inroads 

polymers have made in replacing traditional 

materials in this sector. Rubbers or plastics are found 

in a huge range of sports-related products from 

playing surfaces to footwear and clothing and there 

are extremely few areas where they have not become 

important. One facet of this is the immense variety 

of products, and materials, that make up the market, 

some being in very significant quantity but others 

that are small niche markets. 

Sport is competitive and although there are often cost 

advantages in using polymers the main impetus for their 

adoption has been performance. It follows that many 

applications are for technically superior materials. The 

participants are often prepared to pay whatever it takes 

to have the best equipment at the top end of the market 

and this applies even for amateur and recreational use 

3


as well as for top competition. Hence, in many areas 

the sports market is potentially very lucrative. This 

situation can be seen in sports footwear with leading 

manufacturers developing technically advanced and 

complicated designs, often for specialised purposes, 

which are sold far more widely than to the professional 

sports person. However, there are also strong markets 

for higher volume but lower value products such as the 

fibres in basic hiking and camping clothing. 

The introduction of new materials can have very 

significant and even dramatic effect on the performances 

achieved. This has been the case with for example 

vaulting poles, golf clubs and tennis rackets. Improved 

performance has had effect on the rules of some sports 

but generally rules have not prevented quite radical 

material developments being accepted. 

A second reason for the introduction of polymers is 

the convenience of use that they can provide. This may 

be in comfort, improved consistency over natural 

materials or extended product lifetime. A notable 

example is seen in artificial surfaces which can stand 

very concentrated usage in all weather conditions. 

A further important reason for the use of polymeric 

materials is for improving safety, where cellular 

materials in particular are very effective. Considerable 

effort has been expended in developing materials for 

such applications as equestrian protective jackets, 

gymnastics mats and children’s playground surfaces. 

In many cases, the reasons for the success of polymers 

are complementary. Modern vaulting poles improve 

performance and are inherently less likely to break, 

whilst artificial surfaces can offer advantages of 

performance, consistency, safety and cost. 

As mentioned, the range of materials that find 

applications in sport is very wide. In 1998, 

polyurethanes and engineering plastics were said to 

make up 58% of advanced materials used in sporting 

goods with fibre reinforced materials accounting for 

14%, although it was thought that the latter together 

with metals would increase market share (82). For 

moulded sports products, polypropylene accounts for 

3 times the share of the next nearest plastic, 

acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (171). This article also 

comments on the diversity of sports mouldings and 

considers that new and interesting applications are still 

being found. Tyre crumb is an important constituent of 

artificial surfaces and playgrounds but the total tonnage 

is not huge (40,000 tonnes per annum in the UK 

including use in carpet underlay) and is only about 10% 

of the weight of tyres scrapped. 

The increase in the use of polymers in sport has led to 

an increase in testing and specification. This results from 

newer materials changing performance, usually for the 

better, and the need to supplement the rules of the game 

to ensure consistency when a variety of materials and 

designs may be in use. Probably the greatest efforts have 

been made in artificial surfaces where one factor is the 

need to ensure quality because of the large capital 

investment needed for an installation. 

2 Artificial Surfaces 

Artificial sports surfaces have been used successfully 

for approaching 40 years (the first synthetic grass pitch 

was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966) and 

rubber-based athletics tracks were widely introduced 

in the 1970s. Playing surfaces for both indoor and 

outdoor use have utilised a variety of polymers and a 

multitude of different designs to cater for a wide range 

of activities. In fact there are few sports that cannot be 

played successfully on a polymeric surface. 

For outdoor surfaces the first attraction is the capability 

for sustained use. They can be constructed to be 

essentially immune to weather problems and can be 

played on 24 hours a day if required. Although a 

synthetic turf installation may cost upwards from 

£250,000, this concentration of use makes them very 

cost effective, particularly in urban areas where land 

may be astronomically priced. The number of pitches 

and supporting facilities needed can be reduced 

compared to turf. The relative lack of essential 

maintenance is also attractive and being always 

available makes for high convenience. In some parts 

of the world, such as the Middle East, they are 

effectively the only solution to the desire for sports 

facilities because of the difficulty of sustaining grass. 

In northern European countries, winter training would 

be severely restricted without the synthetic surfaces. 

The only criticism that can be realistically levelled 

against synthetic turf is that even after decades of 

development it is not the same as real turf. That is not 

to say it is necessarily inferior, it will always have 

advantages of consistency under different weather 

conditions and the case of hockey illustrates how it can 

be inherently better in playing performance. However, 

traditions can be hard to die. 

Artificial athletics tracks quickly proved to be superior 

in all respects to the cinders used previously. Rubberbased 

playground surfaces have a clear advantage in 

terms of protection from injury due to falling. 

4


For indoor use, the attractions of synthetic surfaces 

were a combination of lower cost compared to sprung 

wooden floors, improved safety compared to 

concrete and enhanced performance by tailoring for 

particular sports. 

The boom in the installation of artificial surfaces in 

most countries was through the 1980s and today there 

are synthetic grass pitches and sports halls in virtually 

all towns. At one time there were over 60 

manufacturers supplying more than 250 different 

artificial surfaces in the UK alone, but inevitably there 

has been a levelling off as the demand became 

satisfied. 

2.1 Synthetic Grass Surfaces 

The original construction of a synthetic grass surface 

comprised a stone sub-base, a macadam base, a foam 

shock pad layer and the synthetic carpet. The carpet is 

a knitted or tufted, three-dimensional fabric in which 

the ‘grass blades’ are incorporated into the fabric 

structure, approximately perpendicular to the fabric 

backing. In a knitted carpet the filaments forming the 

turf and the backing yarns are interlaced in a single 

production step. With tufting, a separate woven fabric 

acts as a substrate into which the turf filaments are 

inserted and fixed with a latex backing. 

Some early constructions had an impervious base and 

were crowned to allow water run off but permeable 

bases quickly became standard. The foam shock pad 

was shown to be erroneous thinking as it ‘bottomed 

out’ under even modest impacts. Crumb rubber shock 

pads became standard when it was realised that 

although much stiffer they actually gave much better 

protection. The shock pad is a sheet of crumb rubber 

bound together with a polyurethane. It can be factory 

made as individually moulded sheets or as a roll, or it 

can be wet poured and compacted on site. Factorymoulded 

sheets can have the under surface profiled 

to improve energy absorption whilst using less 

material. The thickness of the shock pad would be 

typically between 10 and 25 mm. 

The next development was the so-called sand-filled 

surfaces in which the carpet has a more sparse and longer 

pile (between 15 and 25 mm). Graded sand is brushed 

between the fibres of the pile to a specified depth. This 

construction came to be used in the majority of 

installations because of the obvious large cost savings 

and because it could better reproduce the characteristics 

of natural turf, particularly for ball bounce. 

The rigid, so-called engineered base is costly and 

imposes limitations on the playing characteristics that 

can be achieved. A considerable variety of alternative 

constructions with a ‘dynamic’ base have been used. 

These are composed of some combination of graded 

sand, rubber granules, a permeable membrane and resin 

impregnated needlepunch which may also eliminate 

the traditional shock pad. Such constructions are not 

simply a matter of cost saving; variation in the details 

of design allow playing characteristics to be tailored 

to meet the needs of a number of sports. An inevitable 

disadvantage is that it is much more difficult to achieve 

and maintain a flat surface with high dimensional 

stability. A further approach is to incorporate rubber 

into the asphalt layer, giving it some impact absorbing 

properties (286). 

Synthetic grass has been made from nylon, polyolefins 

or polyester, normally as extruded monofilaments. 

Variations in the dimensions and characteristics of the 

individual filaments, the pile density and its angle to 

the base have been used to significantly vary properties 

such as friction and ball roll. However, in sand-filled 

constructions most of such effects are masked. 

Contrasting colour carpet can be inserted to form 

permanent line markings. Needlepunch carpet has been 

successfully used for such sports as bowls and could 

be considered as very short and fine synthetic turf. 

FieldTurf (www.fieldturf.com) is an example of a 

modern advanced construction. The fibres are a 

polyethylene and polypropylene mixture, treated and 

arranged in a pattern which is said to better emulate 

real grass than previous surfaces. The carpet is infilled 

with a mixture of sand and ground rubber, which 

supports the fibres in a similar manner to natural earth, 

and is claimed to be resilient and non compactible. The 

resilient, relatively thick infill makes a shock pad 

unnecessary and the carpet is laid on a porous 

membrane over a stone base. 

The principal attractions of synthetic turf are all weather 

capability, resistance to concentrated use, freedom from 

bumps and divots that plague natural grass, and low 

maintenance. The evenness has greatest advantage for 

sports in which the interaction of a relatively small ball 

is important, such as hockey and tennis. Maintenance 

consists of little more than vacuuming or sweeping, 

typically at weekly intervals. This is in very sharp 

contrast to natural turf which needs constant attention: 

line marking, watering, fertilising and resting for long 

periods. Pitch maintenance is particularly onerous for 

cricket and it was said in the early days of synthetic 

surfaces that they would be needed for cricket in 

schools or the game would not be played because 

natural pitches could not be afforded. 

5


In the 1980s, many synthetic grass pitches were 

installed for playing soccer, including a small number 

at English Football League grounds. Through a not very 

convincing argument, synthetic pitches were banned 

at the higher levels and that put a brake on their adoption 

generally. However, at lower levels and for 

multipurpose use they have continued to thrive and are 

also used by league clubs for training. 

The case for soccer is in marked contrast to that for 

hockey where the adoption of synthetic pitches is 

virtually universal and the increased speed of the ball 

and the guaranteed smooth surface has transformed the 

game. Synthetic turf is used for several other sports but 

the volume is small compared to hockey and football. 

can be varied to produce tracks having different levels 

of durability and cost. When the top surface of a cast 

track becomes worn, it can be ground smooth and a 

new topping applied. 

Clearly, tracks needs to be laid without undulations and 

to a carefully controlled thickness - not a simple task 

over the areas involved. However, with a cast system 

irregularities in the base can be compensated for. 

Tracks have also been constructed from prefabricated 

sheets of a number of polymers including styrene 

butadiene rubber, polychloroprene and polyvinyl 

chloride. These are mostly used for indoor installations 

where an uneven base is likely to cause fewer problems. 

2.2 Athletics Tracks 

Polymer tracks were first laid as long ago as 1957 and 

one was used for the 1964 Olympics. Since then they 

have become universal and completely superseded 

previous constructions. 

Polymeric track construction can be solid cast rubber, 

resin bound rubber crumb or shred, or prefabricated 

rubber sheet. Outside tracks are generally laid on a 

macadam base. The original systems were cast rubber, 

either polyurethane or a natural rubber or 

polychloroprene latex, with a dressing of rubber chips 

or granules. They have particularly good wear 

resistance but are impermeable. 

Bound rubber crumb systems are composed of rubber 

shred or granules in a polyurethane binder and topped 

off with a sprayed on layer of coloured rubber granules 

in polyurethane. The basic construction is similar in 

principle to that used for shock pads and children’s 

playgrounds. Variation of the materials allows 

considerable scope to modify properties and the track 

can be porous to eliminate the need for a slope to allow 

drainage. The athletics tracks require the higher level 

of bound crumb, not least because of the need for very 

high durability and resistance to spikes. The choice of 

granule is very important and differences in size, shape 

and surface texture can markedly affect both 

performance and strength. 

The casting may be done in more than one layer and 

there can be a composite of a bound crumb underlayer 

with a solid top. By variation of the constituents the 

properties can be changed significantly and 

developments have been aimed at producing tracks 

which improve the athlete’s performance. The materials 

2.3 Sports Hall Floors 

Traditional sports hall floors were made of wood, often 

sprung, or in the poorest circumstances painted 

concrete. Over the last few decades there has been a 

large rise in the demand for and the provision of sports 

halls. The range of sports to be catered for has increased 

considerably and people have increased their 

expectation as to the quality of facilities. 

The introduction of polymeric surfaces has seen the 

use of just about all possible materials and 

constructions. Where a hall or part of a hall is to be 

devoted to one sport a surface can be selected which is 

particularly suitable for that given purpose. However, 

in most cases the hall will be multipurpose and it is 

obvious that no one surface can be equally satisfactory 

for all the sports to be played on it. The selection then 

becomes a matter of compromise. This compromise 

may have to include use for non sporting activities. 

The properties to be considered include: 

• Stiffness, 

• Resilience, 

• Impact absorption, 

• Friction, 

• Acoustic properties, 

• Colour and gloss, and 

• Durability. 

When considering stiffness, distinction can be made 

between point elastic and area elastic surfaces. A rubber 

shock pad is essentially point elastic, i.e., the 

deformation from an impact is essentially confined to 

a small area. On the other hand a sprung floor is area 

6


elastic, i.e., the deformation from an impact spreads 

over a considerable area. The use of a soft rubber sheet 

on a sprung floor can produce both point and area 

elasticity depending on the magnitude of the impact. 

The sprung wooden floors achieve their impact 

absorption properties from this area elasticity, but at 

the same time they are stiff or hard enough that you 

could, in principle, roller skate on them. 

The disadvantages of the traditional floors were the 

complicated installation, high cost, noisiness, vibrations 

affecting non participants and possibly low friction. 

Polymers have been used with wooden floors, often in 

the form of foam pads, to provide a degree of spring at 

lowered cost. The flooring is laid on battens which in 

turn are supported by the pads. Such structures can be 

prefabricated to simplify installation. 

Polymers are also frequently used in the form of sheets 

or carpet to provide an additional top layer to a wooden 

floor which improves a number of the properties. The 

obvious disadvantage is even higher cost. 

Composition blocks, made of such things as sawdust 

and cement bound together with a resin, were 

introduced many years ago as a much cheaper 

alternative to wood. They have enjoyed great popularity 

because of the cost and durability but provide negligible 

impact absorption. 

Whatever the basic floor, a variety of polymers in tile 

sheet or carpet form can be laid to provide specific 

properties and good durability. These include rubber, 

polyvinyl chloride and nylon or polypropylene carpet. 

A great many products have been introduced and there 

is strong competition. Simple sheet or carpet can 

provide very satisfactory friction, noise and optical 

properties for many sports and the impact absorption 

is improved over hard solid floors. However, they are 

still relatively hard and improvement can be made by 

adding a foam backing. Carpets on polyurethane foam 

backing have been found suitable for court games such 

as tennis where ball response is very important. Rubber 

sheeting can be textured and can provide resilience, 

good friction, and can even be tough enough to resist 

damage from spikes. 

Further improvement in playing characteristics, 

particularly in impact absorption, can be achieved by 

various designs of laminated floors, which consist of 

layers of foam, a rigid material such as chipboard and 

a polymeric sheet or carpet top surface. 

As said previously, the choice of a sports hall floor is 

frequently a matter of compromise between the 

requirements of several sports. A means by which this 

problem is often ameliorated is to have secondary roll 

out surfaces that can be placed for a particular activity 

and removed afterwards. If, for example, the main floor 

is a rubber sheet, a suitable carpet can be laid over it to 

give a surface for playing bowls or cricket. Although 

this adds to the cost, in the examples given the area 

needed may be relatively small. 

2.4 Equestrian Use 

Bound rubber crumb or shred products of various types, 

and even plaited strips of old tyres, have been used to 

make entrances to arenas and road crossings safer for 

horses. One example is interlocking rubber bricks from 

scrap tyres (85). Shreds of scrap polymer mixed with 

sand have been used to form training areas but it is not 

clear how successful such products have been. A liquid 

polymer/sand system was developed to make artificial 

horse race tracks but this did not always retain its 

performance characteristics. 

2.5 Synthetic Snow and Ice 

The opportunities for winter sports in the UK are 

somewhat limited geographically and seasonally. As 

these activities rose in popularity there was an increased 

demand for ice rinks and for ski slopes. The high capital 

cost of constructing an ice rink led to the use of plastic 

substitutes. Polyethylene panels were claimed to look 

and perform like ice but to reduce energy and 

maintenance costs by 60% and to cost half as much to 

install. The surface only required daily vacuuming and 

weekly polishing with a silicone-based compound. A 

high density polyethylene sheet material called Super 

Ice (258) is in the form of coated wooden panels which 

join together with a tongue and groove system. It is 

claimed to have 90% of the glide factor of real ice and 

to have a lifetime of at least 5 years. 

In a skating facility, a very high wear area is at the 

entrance to the rink where skaters can leave the ice at 

speeds of 50 km/h and then use the picks at the toe of 

the skates to brake. The flooring needs to resist the 

cutting action of the skates but to cause no damage to 

the ground skate blade. One solution was to use silicafilled 

natural rubber tiles which have good wear 

resistance and low water absorption. 

Synthetic ski slopes have probably been more 

successful than skating rinks. There have been two 

basic types of construction: interlocking moulded 

7


polyolefin units with a number of ‘spikes’ forming 

the surface, and polyvinyl chloride or nylon filament 

brushes held in a metal channel. The latter appeared 

to give better performance. 

2.6 Playgrounds 

Traditional children’s playgrounds were asphalt or 

hard, compressed turf essentially bare of grass. 

Concern over injuries has led to the installation of a 

very large number of safety surfaces based on bound 

crumb or shred rubber, similar in concept to the 

synthetic turf shock pad. 

The surface can be cast in-situ or constructed of 

preformed tiles. Generally, the level of impact 

absorption required is greater than for shock pads or 

athletics tracks. The top surface needs to be suitably 

wear resistant but not to the level of a track and usually 

spikes are banned. To obtain the necessary absorption 

capability to protect against falls from heights as great 

as 3 m needs a relatively thick surface, but rather more 

deformability can be tolerated than for sports surfaces. 

For cast in-situ systems, the level of impact absorption 

can be increased by using two layers, the lower one 

having a particularly open structure. For preformed tiles 

a so-called engineered construction improves impact 

absorption by having a webbed structure on the 

underside which buckles under impact. As for sports 

surfaces, a dynamic base can lower costs and improve 

impact absorption. 

Less common is the use of a needlepunch or synthetic 

turf carpet over a shock pad and/or a dynamic base. 

2.7 Ground Conditioning 

An alternative to replacing natural turf with synthetic 

is to use polymers to improve the performance, 

particularly the durability, of the natural material. In 

this way the traditional characteristics and appearance 

are retained. The basic concept is to introduce a 

reinforcing structure and is particularly applicable to 

high wear areas such as goal mouths. 

Polypropylene needlepunch material has been used 

with the grass seed sown below it and the open structure 

of the needlepunch filled with soil. Although under very 

heavy wear the grass may be worn away, play can 

continue on the needlepunch and the root structure is 

retained for the grass to regrow. Geotextile ‘netting’ is 

also used for this purpose and is sometimes seen in car 

parks (396). Another approach is to incorporate rubber 

crumb or shred into the top few centimetres of soil. 

Crumb can also be used as a top dressing where it is 

claimed to protect the grass root system and reduce 

compaction (299). 

Where sports grounds have to be built on land with 

adverse soil conditions, needlepunch membrane is used 

as a filter to protect the drainage course from infiltration 

of the sub-soil. This is similar to its use in dynamic 

bases for synthetic surfaces. 

Problems with natural turf include water logging and 

freezing. Drainage systems are a significant outlet 

for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride pipe and a 

heating system using polyethylene piping has been 

described (54). 

3 Clothing 

Special clothing is either necessary or is desirable for 

all sports and it is not surprising that large amounts 

of synthetic fibres are consumed. As a generality, 

sports clothing is technically not dissimilar to normal 

clothing but there is, for example, a particular need 

for breathable fabrics in activities such as walking 

and climbing. 

A particular requirement in some sports is for 

protective clothing, where foams are frequently used. 

An example is protective jackets for equestrian use 

which are now mandatory in several branches of riding 

activity. The degree of protection is compromised by 

the restrictions of what is too uncomfortable to wear 

and during the 1990s there was competition amongst 

suppliers to improve impact absorption without 

increased thickness. 

Shin guards and similar items are another example. 

An effective design has a foam interior with a rigid 

moulded plastic shell. Gloves are produced from a 

variety of materials for a range of particular 

applications. Some include padding or a latex non 

slip surface. 

A different example is the fire resistant Nomex fabric 

used in underwear, balaclavas, gloves, boots and race 

suits for motorsports. A combination of Kevlar, 

silicone gel and closed-cell foam has been used in 

knee pads for mechanics and Kevlar heat sleeves can 

protect them when working on hot engines. 

8


Protective helmets used in motorsports, cycling and 

horse riding activities are made from thermoplastics 

or reinforced plastics. The design of motor sports 

helmets is very sophisticated and they can command 

prices of up to £900. 

In a number of sports there is need for goggles, visors or 

face masks. These utilise such materials as polycarbonate 

for the lenses. There have been numerous attempts to 

find a clear replacement for the metal mesh face masks 

used in fencing. Recently, one company has been 

successful using polycarbonate. The lens is made in two 

layers, one about 3 mm thick and a top layer about 0.5 

mm thick. The disposable outer layer protects the base 

layer from possible environmental stress cracking and 

from the stress concentrations which could be produced 

by blade damage on the surface (a.1). 

The single highest value sector of sports goods is 

footwear, with the leading manufacturers competing 

to produce more and more technically advanced 

designs. In many sports the athlete’s feet are subjected 

to high dynamic loads, as much as 8 times body weight 

in basketball, and the footwear is critical in giving 

protection, providing traction and optimising 

performance. The forces involved on the heel differ 

from those on the forefoot and the specific requirements 

depend on the sport in question. It is not surprising 

that a modern sports shoe is a complicated construction 

with many components and that there are many 

variations in design. Apart from performance 

considerations, the sports footwear market requires 

strong aesthetic appeal and it can be difficult for a non 

expert to understand which features actually enhance 

performance and which are purely for looks. 

A variety of polymers are used in sports footwear. 

Trainers commonly have a rubber outsole, which may 

be multicoloured or include clear thermoplastic 

elements. Common materials for midsoles are cellular 

ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane, and there can 

be inserts such as polyurethane air bags and torsion 

bars made from thermoplastics or even carbon fibre 

reinforced polyester. Uppers are often made from 

polyvinyl chloride coated fabrics and there can be 

additional components such as Goretex linings, foam 

cushioning and polyurethane heel supports. Shoes for 

such sports as football and running have semi-rigid 

soles made from such materials as thermoplastic 

polyurethane. 

A design of hiking boot uses a Hytrel insole, while 

nylon has been used for the sole plate of running shoes 

and glass reinforced nylon for a moulded cycling shoe 

(48). Ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane compete 

to produce lighter midsoles and density down to 0.25 

g/cm 3 is now obtained with polyurethane which is 

comparable with remoulded ethylene vinyl acetate 

(Phylon) (77). Boots for skiing and skating are based 

on a thermoplastic shell with a variety of plastic and 

metal attachments. 

4 Ball Games 

The rubber ball must be the earliest use of polymers in 

sport, apparently being known to the inhabitants of 

South America when Europeans first crossed the 

Atlantic. It is certainly a very long time since golf balls 

were made of anything other than polymers; the gutta 

percha ball was introduced in the mid 19th century and 

the wound rubber ball as early as 1898. 

The ‘classic’ construction of the three-part golf ball is 

a complicated process; polyisoprene thread is wound 

over a small solid rubber core and the cover formed 

from balata or Surlyn. The solid or two-part ball has a 

solid rubber core with a Surlyn cover and can be 

compression or injection moulded. One-part balls can 

be of rubber, polyurethane or Surlyn but the optimum 

performance characteristics cannot be achieved by this 

construction and they are used by beginners to practice 

and on driving ranges. 

The somewhat conflicting requirements for a golf ball 

(speed and distance through the air, behaviour on the 

ground, control of spin and toughness) mean that all 

properties cannot be optimised in one design. 

Generally, the three-part ball gives better control at 

the expense of distance for given power input. As well 

as the materials, the design of the dimpled cover is 

critical to performance. 

Development of the golf ball is limited to a considerable 

extent by the regulations enforced by the sport’s 

governing body. If balls which could travel significantly 

further were allowed, the golf courses, which represent 

very large investment, would appear too small. The 

aerodynamic design is also limited by the requirement 

for it to be symmetrical. 

This has not stopped there being intense competition 

between manufacturers and continuing efforts to make 

improvements. A recent development has been tungsten 

filler which partly reduces the amount of traditional 

fillers (108). 

Tennis balls also require specialised production techniques 

and are again regulated by a specification. The bounce 

9


characteristics of pressurised tennis balls are dependent 

on the internal pressure, which is typically 100 kPa 

above atmospheric. As air permeates out, the pressure 

drops and the playing characteristics change. The loss 

can be reduced by filling with a gas that permeates 

more slowly than air or by using an elastomer with 

lower permeability. Special containers manufactured 

from such materials as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene 

are produced to maintain the pressure of gas-filled balls. 

Unpressurised balls rely on the material which forms 

the wall (such as butadiene (310)) to provide the 

necessary resilience. Titanium has been added to the 

rubber compound to improve performance (174). 

The traditional leather football became very heavy 

when wet and quality was very variable. Balls made 

from polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate or 

polyurethane will be much more consistent, and where 

leather is used it is coated with an elastomer to prevent 

water absorption. However, the characteristics can vary 

according to the material and construction used and a 

survey back in 1985 found that a range of balls all 

complying with the regulations varied by 15% in 

resilience. Moulding the shell of a ball on to which the 

exterior panels are attached means it can have an 

integral bladder. Polyurethane appears to have become 

the most usual material and one innovation incorporates 

a cellular structure (186). Balls for basketball, handball 

and softball are essentially similar to those for football. 

A polymeric coating on high-class rugby balls enhances 

the grip in wet conditions. 

Squash balls are of relatively simple construction being 

basically rubber mouldings. However, the formulations 

used may be complex and very specialised and are 

jealously guarded. Different formulations are used to 

produce a range of balls with different speed 

characteristics to suit the various levels of skill which 

exist in the sport, or which will not mark surfaces 

against which they are hit. 

Polymers have found it very difficult to oust the 

traditional cricket ball but moulded polyvinyl chloride 

balls are used at lower levels. Bowling balls, bowls, 

croquet balls, table tennis balls and many others are 

produced from various plastics. There are even rubber 

or polyvinyl chloride medicine balls, polypropylene 

rounders balls, foam balls resembling tennis balls, glow 

balls, perforated plastic balls and Koosh balls in natural 

rubber. Should you require it, there is a see-through 

Budweiser bowling ball in polyester which contains a 

replica of a Bud bottle (2). 

Shuttlecocks are used in roughly the same way as a 

ball. A method of making plastic shuttlecocks by an 

advanced injection process whereby the polyamide skirt 

is fully formed in the mould has been reported (366) 

and which is claimed to yield a product closer to the 

traditional hand-built feather designs than hitherto. 

The ball is not the only item of essential equipment 

needed to play most ball games. There are also bats, 

racquets, sticks, goal posts, nets, etc. As with the balls, 

there are restrictions imposed by the rules of the games 

but there is enormous potential for innovative design 

using polymers. 

Tennis and squash racquets have been revolutionised 

by polymers with the introduction of advanced 

composites. After laminate construction replaced 

solid wood, aluminium tennis rackets took over in 

the 1970s but now fibre reinforced composites are 

universally used. The earlier rackets used glass fibre 

reinforced polyester but now more advanced 

composites with carbon, aramid and boron fibres 

have been introduced with high modulus carbon fibre 

being standard. The advantages are based on the 

stiffness to weight ratio and the control of the 

racket’s characteristics which can be achieved 

through geometry of the reinforcement. Also, 

composites have better fatigue resistance and higher 

damping. Other parts of the racket also utilise 

polymers: polyamide bumper guards, polyamide and 

polyester strings and rubber grips. 

Composites also compete with metals in the 

construction of golf clubs. Fibre reinforced shafts are 

produced by winding prepreg onto a steel mandrel 

which is later removed. An alternative is to use an 

injection-moulded core, which is retained. Various 

designs of fibre reinforced epoxy club heads have been 

produced as well as metal heads with fibre reinforced 

plastic inserts. By injecting a thermoplastic into a 

hollow head, weight can be added preferentially in 

given areas. 

A composite-modified wood baseball bat for 

professional use which uses carbon and Kevlar 

composites has recently been patented (43), although 

a similar product has also been reported (18). 

Polymers find use in many ancillary products from net 

bags to carry balls to glass reinforced plastic 

backboards to basketball goals. Golf trolleys are 

essential for some people and are yet another outlet 

for polymers. One example uses nylon for the chassis, 

gear housing from glass reinforced polyethylene 

terephthalate, and nylon and acetate homopolymer for 

the gears (397). A transparent top for a golf cart has 

been made from polyester and an irons organiser from 

nylon (72). 

10


5 Athletics and Gymnastics 

The major uses of polymers in athletics are for surfaces 

and clothing, which have been discussed in Sections 2 

and 3. Polymers have had enormous impact on the 

sports in both these areas. 

Another product which has had a major effect on 

performances is the carbon fibre vaulting pole. The rules 

covering vaulting poles are unusual in that they can be 

made of any material and be of any length and diameter. 

Indeed, it is necessary that the pole is individually 

matched to the speed and mass of the vaulter. The poles 

are hollow with varying thickness along the length and 

top class poles are prebent. An analysis of the stresses 

and design principles has been given by Burgess (161). 

Polymeric foams are used extensively in mats for high 

jumping and pole vaulting, gymnastics and martial arts. 

They vary in thickness and foam density to suit the 

particular application from 750 mm for a pole vault 

landing area to 20 mm for an elementary exercise mat. 

The foam is most commonly polyether or reconstituted 

polyurethane but thinner mats sometimes use 

polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate. The prime 

objective of the mats is to provide impact absorption 

but their resilience and stiffness is also important. 

Particularly in sports such as judo, a large deflection 

hampering movement could be more dangerous than 

the effect of falling. Composite construction using 

layers of different density can be used to obtain the 

desired characteristics. The mats are typically covered 

in polyvinyl chloride coated nylon and have a non-slip 

rubber base. Mats are potentially a significant fire 

hazard and in the UK are subject to stringent 

flammability requirements which means that foams 

must be of a fire retarded grade. 

6 Winter Sports 

Skiing was once something of a minority interest but 

with increased leisure and cheap flights it has developed 

into a mass sport. Winter sports have continued to grow 

in popularity and represent a very large market for 

sports goods. With this boom came increased 

development of the equipment and polymers now have 

a major position. In fact it is not an overstatement to 

say that winter sports depend on plastics. 

Wooden skis were unresponsive, absorbed water, were 

heavy and were not very durable. Plastics have allowed 

skiing techniques to improve, made the putting on and 

taking off of skis easier, improved safety and comfort, 

and reduced costs. Encasing a wood core in glass fibre 

reinforced polyester was the first change followed by 

the development of polyurethane foam cores. Quite 

rapidly skis became a sophisticated construction made 

up of many components which can include honeycomb 

cores, advanced composites and a sliding layer of 

graphite impregnated polyethylene. 

The degree of effort put into development is illustrated 

by French manufacturer Rossignol which has been 

devoting over 3% of turnover to new product 

development for 4 decades and has 200 employees 

working in research (8). The introduction of modern 

materials and construction techniques has been 

accompanied by quite radical changes in the dimensions 

and shape of skis. Shorter skis with noses at both ends 

are said to provide something of a bridge between 

conventional skiing and snowboarding and to be 

extremely versatile. Generally, skis have become shorter 

with the middle being markedly more narrow than the 

ends. A wide range of polymers are used in ski and 

snowboard construction including rubber as an interface, 

glass reinforced epoxy structural components, 

polyurethane or thermoset cellular core materials, 

aramid, carbon and graphite fibres, polyethylene soles 

and injected thermoplastic protective parts. Snowboards 

have a similar type of composite structure. 

As skiing became a mass sport it quickly became 

apparent that leather boots were inadequate. As has so 

often been the case with the introduction of polymers 

the first step was replacing part of the product, an 

injection-moulded thermoplastic sole in this case. 

However, the first all-plastic boot appeared as early as 

1967. A ski boot has to be extremely tough and retain 

its properties at low temperatures. Polyurethane meets 

these demands with different hardnesses being suitable 

for different parts of the boot but other polymers are 

now incorporated. 

The binding which attaches the boot to the ski is a vital 

component as it has the seemingly impossible task of 

holding the boot securely throughout the stresses of 

skiing but releases it when stresses reach a danger point. 

Here too, plastics have replaced aluminium with several 

materials having been used, notably fibre reinforced 

nylon. One design uses Hytrel for the straps and hiback, 

nylon for the base and acetal for the buckles (146). 

To complete the plastics domination, top-of-the-range ski 

pole tubes are made from hybrid fibre reinforced materials. 

Apart from skis and snowboards, polymers are prime 

candidates for use in the various sledges, toboggans 

and other snow vehicles. One example reported 

11


recently is a snow scooter which utilises a glass fibre 

reinforced polyurethane hood manufactured by the 

RIM process (32). 

7 Water Sports 

Developments in polymers have led to radical changes in 

the design and construction of boats and other water sports 

equipment. Probably the two most important contributions 

have been in reduced cost and greatly improved strength 

to weight ratio. The changes started with glass fibre hulls 

and construction has developed to embrace a very wide 

range of polymers including carbon and aramid fibre 

reinforced materials and rigid foams. Boats account for a 

major consumption of glass reinforced materials, which 

are used in relatively very large vessels as well as small 

pleasure boats and personal jet skis. 

At the higher performance end, the advanced 

composites give better fatigue resistance and this can 

be improved further with sandwich constructions. The 

better strength to weight ratio achievable results in 

weight saving. An advanced racing boat design involves 

carbon fibre reinforced epoxy skins and a polyvinyl 

chloride foam core. 

A strong sandwich construction is produced by having 

a foam core between glass reinforced panels but a 

departure from the use of fibre reinforcement is for 

one or more of the skins to be made from a 

thermoplastic. One design for a catamaran uses a 

thermoformed skin, a cellular core and a glass fibre 

reinforcing layer (351). The boats are rotomoulded 

and produced much faster than by the more 

conventional process. 

Composites and sandwich constructions have not had 

it all their own way in hull construction of smaller craft 

and a multipurpose rowing/sailing/motor boat has been 

moulded in polypropylene (110). It was reported that a 

glass reinforced plastic pedal boat was not 

commercially viable and was being replaced with 

rotomoulded polyethylene (323). 

Glass reinforced plastic canoes were extremely 

successful and simple enough that people could build 

them at home. For competition, improvements were 

made by using carbon and aramid reinforcement such 

as in Canadian canoes for the 1996 Olympics (321). 

However, rotational moulding from high density 

polyethylene is faster and more economic and takes 

much of the market for recreational canoes. Kayaks 

have been made from recycled high density 

polyethylene by thermoforming and rotomoulding 

(334) and also from thermoformed acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene 

which is said to produce a lighter 

and stiffer craft than from other plastics (1). 

Inflatable boats use elastomer-coated polyester or nylon 

fabrics. The best rubber for the outer coating to give 

long life is generally held to be Hypalon, with 

polychloroprene being very satisfactory for the inner 

layer, but polyurethane, butyl rubber and, at the lower 

end of the market, polyvinyl chloride have also been 

used. Some inflatables are composites in the sense that 

parts of the hull are rigid, for example, made from glass 

reinforced plastic. 

Fabrics for sails are another important marine 

application of polymers. It is surprising to be reminded 

that cotton was replaced by nylon and polyester 

something like 45 years ago and Kevlar was introduced 

20 years ago. Polyester is considerably stiffer and 

stronger than cotton, but for high-performance 

applications Kevlar represents a 300% increase in 

strength and 1000% increase in modulus. 

The most recent materials are carbon fibre and 

polybenzoxazole which have shown considerable 

promise although there is still uncertainty about their 

durability. The use of these newer materials is limited 

by their high cost and the fact that their use has not 

been sanctioned by some governing bodies. 

Another material said to be showing potential (257) is 

polyethylene naphthalate, which can be woven but also 

heat shrunk to produce a fabric combining the durability 

of a woven material with the performance of a laminate. 

Apart from the main structural elements, both rubbers 

and plastics find use in many marine components from 

seats and decorative trim to oars and rowlocks. In boat 

engines, glass reinforced nylon has been used in covers 

and for the steering arm, and Viton fluoroelastomer 

for shaft seals. 

Surfboards are produced in the hundreds of thousands 

annually from a polyurethane foam core covered with 

glass reinforced polyester, the core blanks being carved 

to shape before being laminated. A British company is 

said to produce the best quality blanks using 

methylenediphenyl isocyanate rather than toluene 

diisocyanate (42). Alternative constructions are now 

being introduced that have origins in windsurfing 

technology and involve composite skins over expanded 

polystyrene (62). 

Elastomers also find outlet in swimming fins, caps and 

masks. Thermoplastic elastomers are increasingly used, 

12


e.g., in a novel twin bladed fin (21). Other applications 

for elastomers are in wet suits and parts of diving gear. 

If you prefer to stay on top of the water then buoyancy 

aids are frequently made from polymeric materials. 

Materials such as plasticised polyvinyl chloride and 

polyurethanes, including foams, are extensively used 

for seating and interior trim, although these tend to be 

minimal in racing cars. 

8 Motor Sports 

The great majority of motor vehicles are not used for 

what could be called sport although many car trips are 

for recreational purposes. Nevertheless, many people 

enjoy motor sport in its various forms which range from 

trials (‘mud plugging’) to Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is 

often argued that developments for racing cars 

eventually influence the design of the everyday car on 

the street and competitive motoring is one of the most 

technical of sports. 

The use of polymers in vehicles is dominated on a 

volume basis by tyres. For sporting use the tyres may 

be essentially similar to those used on passenger cars 

but the constructions and rubber compounds used can 

be very highly specialised in the quest for better 

performance. Manufacturers of road tyres for highperformance 

cars are continually introducing new 

models with claims for improved performance. 

Rubbers are also essential for a range of vehicle 

components including seals, bushes and mountings. 

Glass fibre reinforced body shells have been used in 

small-volume specialist sports cars for at least 40 years, 

but it is more recently that significant amounts of 

plastics have been introduced into mainstream car 

production. This trend is expected to continue because 

of the weight saving that can be achieved and already 

a number of plastic body panels are used in production 

cars. DaimlerChrysler concept vehicles have mouldedin-colour 

bodies of carbon fibre composite (3). Glass 

fibre is still extensively used for body parts in the kit 

car business but there has been a steady increase in the 

use of carbon fibre for such items as wings and 

dashboards. 

Advanced composites are used for many critical 

components of racing cars where the stiffness : weight 

ratio is all important. Interestingly, there is even a 

market for vanity components made from glass 

reinforced plastic with a thin veneer of carbon 

reinforced plastic to resemble parts on a Formula 1 

car. Self-lubricating polymer bearings are reported to 

be used in the design of a sports car from Carrol 

Shelby (126). 

9 Cycling 

It does not seem that many years ago when the only 

significant use of polymers on a cycle was the rubber 

tyres, handlebar grips and brake blocks. Small amounts 

of plastics crept in for saddles, cable covers, mud guards 

and lights but it was relatively recently that main 

components were anything but metal. 

The LotusSport monocoque bicycle that Chris Boardman 

rode to a gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics was 

made of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy with some parts 

incorporating a polyurethane foam core. 

In 1996 a composite bicycle was designed in which 

the frame, rear arm and seat pillar were moulded in 

30% glass fibre reinforced polyester and it was claimed 

that it could be sold for less than $100. At about the 

same time a thermoplastic polyurethane bicycle 

reinforced with carbon and glass fibre was launched. 

Some years after the LotusSport a monocoque airfoil 

road racing bike was developed to be competitive in 

price with the best metal racing frames. The carbon 

fibre/epoxy frame was constructed by bonding together 

of three main components (188). Composites are now 

making inroads into the metals market for bicycles, 

including for wheels, and a recent article considers the 

increasing use of carbon reinforced epoxy composites 

in the production of lightweight racing machines (23). 

10 Miscellaneous 

The categories above have covered many of the most 

popular or mainstream activities but there are hundreds 

of other sports and recreational pursuits. It would 

probably be impossible to find one where polymers 

have not played some role. 

Plastic flights for darts and synthetic fibre boards can 

be found in many pubs along with plastic dominoes. 

At sporting events you may find your drinks in plastics 

glasses. For the sedentary there are moulded chess 

pieces, dice, chips and counters; for children, toys are 

almost synonymous with plastics. 

13


For the more active, canvas tents are now a rarity with 

some types also using fibre reinforced poles. The 

reduction in weight, and hence convenience, is 

considerable and the same is true for hikers’ rucksacks. 

Gardening is not a sport but a very popular pastime which 

uses vast quantities of polymers in pots, trays, netting, 

sheeting, etc. Taking a leaf from the sports surface design 

manual, rubber shred has been incorporated into lawns 

and grass paths to reduce the effect of wear. 

In-line skates use nylon in the chassis and hard 

polyurethane wheels. One innovation replaces the 

wheels with pneumatic rubber tyres for ‘off-road’ use. 

Another design has a dual purpose with the wheels 

being replacable by an ice skating blade (73). 

Fishing rods are made from wound composites, and 

polymers are also important for components of reels 

and the line. 

Going to the gymnasium to exercise rather than actually 

taking part in a sport will not escape polymers as they 

find application in covers, housings and other non 

mechanical parts of treadmills and the like. 

Sport is not only for completely able-bodied people. 

The world record for the 100 m sprint by an amputee 

athlete is only about 1 second behind the fastest 

Olympic sprinters. This is made possible by prosthetic 

limb technology involving carbon fibre composites. 

There are also the supporting facilities that go with 

sports. Flood lighting is essential at many sporting 

events and incorporates polymers in lenses, cases, seals 

and cables. Sports stadiums will use a considerable 

volume of plastics in seating and even in the fabric of 

the building. Last, and probably least, the security 

passes at the Sydney Olympics made certain that no 

athlete can be polymer-free. 

11 Standards 

The prime standards in sport are the rules laid down 

by the international and national governing bodies. 

Originally, these were almost invariably 

unsophisticated and often little more than lists of 

requirements, not always unambiguous. Human nature 

driving athletes to find ways round the rules to achieve 

better performances ensured that the rules would be 

periodically revised and usually made more 

complicated. The need for many changes can be directly 

or indirectly attributed to polymers allowing new and 

superior equipment to be produced. Increasingly, the 

rules of sports have tended to more resemble the 

technical specifications which cover the great majority 

of domestic and industrial products. In a number of 

cases, standards have been produced by the 

International Standards Organization or a national 

standards body such as the British Standards Institution 

which cover sports equipment. Generally, these are 

supplementary to the rules of the game and cover the 

specification of particular items of equipment together 

with necessary test methods. Clearly, rules and 

standards are important to the manufacturers of sports 

equipment as they have to be sure that their products 

will be acceptable. Rules can be obtained from the 

relevant governing body of sport and a list of current 

ISO and BS standards is given in Appendix 1. 

12 Conclusion 

This review demonstrates both the variety of ways that 

polymers have been applied in sport and also the extent 

to which they have come to dominate certain areas. The 

range of sports applications is so large that the review is 

inevitably far from complete and the shear number of 

polymeric products for sport and leisure means that much 

of the technical detail has been glossed over. 

It is apparent that in a considerable number of 

applications polymers have long displaced traditional 

materials and are now on the second, or third or more 

cycle of one polymer being replaced by another. This 

clearly demonstrates that sport does not stand still and 

the thirst for improved performance coupled with the 

desire and need to reduce costs will ensure that 

developments will continue. 

Despite the degree of penetration that polymers have 

achieved it is possible to see areas where there is scope 

for innovation including the cross fertilisation of 

practices from one sport to another. 

There is every sign that the demand for sport and 

leisure facilities and equipment will continue and 

probably grow further so that it is an attractive sector 

for polymers. What cannot be seen clearly is which 

products will have the greatest demand in the next 

decade. 

Additional References 

a.1 M. Jenkins, Materials World, 2000, 8, 9, 9. 

14


Appendix 1 International Standards 

BS = British Standards Institution, EN = European Committee for Standardization, 

ISO = International Standards Organization, PAS = Published Accredited Standard 

Combined letters, e.g., BS EN, means the identical standard has been agreed by all the standardising bodies. 

The status of the standards continues to develop and it is known that there are several draft standards in circulation, 

check with the appropriate institution for the most up-to-date information. 

BS 1892-1:1986 

BS 1892-2.3:1986 

BS 1892-2.6:1986 

BS 1892- 2.7:1986 

BS 1892-2.8:1986 

BS 1892-2.9:1986 

BS 1892-2.10:1990 

BS 1892-2.11:1989 

BS 3104:1970 

BS 4001-1:1998 

BS 4001-2:1967 

BS 4423:1969 

BS 4472:1988 

BS 4532:1969 

BS 5715:1993 

BS 5883:1996 

BS 5993:1995 

BS 6183-1:2000 

BS 6183-2:2000 

BS 6183-3:2000 

BS 6183-4:2001 

BS 6366:1983 

BS 6473:1984 

BS 6635:1985 

BS 6785:1986 

BS 7044-1:1990 

Gymnasium equipment. Specification of general requirements 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for boxes, 

bucks and horses 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for boxing rings 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for basketball and 

mini-basketball equipment 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for trampolines, minitrampolines 

and safety harnesses (trampoline spotting rig) 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for weight training 

equipment 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for safety requirements 

for mats, mattresses and landing areas 

Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for practice and games 

netting and supporting trackways 

Specification for polyamide (nylon) mountaineering ropes 

Care and maintenance of underwater breathing apparatus. Recommendations for the 

compressed air open circuit type 

Care and maintenance of underwater breathing apparatus. Standard diving equipment 

Specification for climbers’ helmets 

Specification for protective skull caps for jockeys 

Specification for snorkels and face masks 

Specification for skateboards for recreational and sports use 

Specification for surface swimming goggles 

Specification for cricket balls 

Protective equipment for cricketers. General requirements 

Protective equipment for cricketers. Genital protectors 

Protective equipment for cricketers. Leg protectors for batsmen, wicket-keepers and 

fielders, and thigh, arm and chest protectors for batsmen 

Protective equipment for cricketers. Gloves for batsmen 

Specification for studs for rugby football boots 

Specification for protective hats for horse and pony riders 

Specification for saddle trees made from wood 

Code of practice for solar heating systems for swimming pools 

Artificial sports surfaces. Classification and general introduction 

15


BS 7044-2.1:1989 

BS 7044-2.2:1990 

BS 7044-2.3:1990 

BS 7044-2.4:1989 

BS 7044-2.5:1991 

BS 7044-4:1991 

BS 7323:1990 

BS 7827:1996 

BS 7875:1996 

BS 7928:1998 

BS 7930-1:1998 

BS EN 174:1997 

BS EN 282:1997 

BS EN 564:1997 

BS EN 565:1997 

BS EN 566:1997 

BS EN 567:1997 

BS EN 568:1997 

BS EN 569:1997 

BS EN 748:1996 

BS EN 749:1996 

BS EN 750:1996 

BS EN 892:1997 

BS EN 893:1999 

BS EN 913:1996 

BS EN 914:1996 

BS EN 915:1996 

BS EN 916:1996 

BS EN 926-1:1996 

BS EN 957-1:1997 

BS EN 957-2:1997 

Artificial sports surfaces. Methods of test. Methods for determination of ball/surface 

interaction 

Artificial sports surfaces. Methods of test. Methods for determination of person/ 

surface interaction 

Artificial sports surfaces. Methods of test. Methods for determination of durability 

Artificial sports surfaces. Methods of test. Methods for determination of 

environmental resistance 

Artificial sports surfaces. Methods of test. Miscellaneous 

Artificial sports surfaces. Specification for surfaces for multi-sports use 

Specification for sit harnesses for rock climbing 

Code of practice for designing, specifying, maintaining and operating emergency 

sound systems at sports venues 

Specification for saddle trees made from synthetic materials 

Specification for head protectors for cricketers 

Specification for eye-protectors for racket sports. Squash 

Personal eye protection. Ski goggles for downhill skiing 

Avalanche beacons. Transmitter/receiver systems. Safety requirements and testing 

Mountaineering equipment. Accessory cord. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Tape. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Slings. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Rope clamps. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Ice anchors. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Pitons. Safety requirements and test methods 

Playing field equipment. Football goals. Functional and safety requirements, test methods 

Playing field equipment. Handball goals. Functional and safety requirements, test methods 

Playing field equipment. Hockey goals. Functional and safety requirements, test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Dynamic mountaineering ropes. Safety requirements and 

test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Crampons. Safety requirements and test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. General safety requirements and test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Parallel bars and combination asymmetric/parallel bars. 

Functional and safety requirements, test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Asymmetric bars. Functional and safety requirements, test 

methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Vaulting boxes. Functional and safety requirements, test 

methods 

Paragliding equipment. Paragliders. Requirements and test methods for structural 

strength 

Stationary training equipment. General safety requirements and test methods 

Stationary training equipment. Strength training equipment. Additional specific safety 

requirements and test methods 

16


BS EN 957-4:1997 

BS EN 957-5:1997 

BS EN 957-7:1999 

BS EN 957-8:1998 

BS EN 958:1997 

BS EN 959:1997 

BS EN 966:1996 

BS EN 967:1997 

BS EN 1069-1:2000 

BS EN 1069-2:2000 

BS EN 1077:1996 

BS EN 1270:1998 

BS EN 1271:1998 

BS EN 1384:1997 

BS EN 1385:1998 

BS EN 1509:1997 

BS EN 1510:1997 

BS EN 1516:1999 

BS EN 1517:2000 

BS EN 1569:1999 

BS EN 1651:1999 

BS EN 1809:1998 

BS EN 1969:2000 

BS EN 1972:1997 

BS EN 12193:1999 

BS EN 12196:1997 

BS EN 12197:1997 

BS EN 12229:2000 

BS EN 12270:1998 

BS EN 12275:1998 

Stationary training equipment. Strength training benches. Additional specific safety 


Stationary training equipment. Pedal crank training equipment. Additional specific 

safety requirements and test methods 

Stationary training equipment. Rowing machines, additional specific safety 


Stationary training equipment. Steppers, stairclimbers and climbers. Additional 

specific safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Energy absorbing systems for use in klettersteig (via 

ferrata) climbing. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Rock anchors. Safety requirements and test methods 

Specification for helmets for airborne sports 

Head protectors for ice hockey players 

Water slides over 2 m height. Safety requirements and test methods 

Water slides over 2 m height. Instructions 

Specification for helmets for alpine skiers 

Playing field equipment. Basketball equipment. Functional and safety requirements, 

test methods 

Playing field equipment. Volleyball equipment. Functional and safety requirement, 

test methods 

Specification for helmets for equestrian activities 

Helmets for canoeing and whitewater sports 

Playing field equipment. Badminton equipment. Functional and safety requirements, 

test methods 

Playing field equipment. Tennis equipment. Functional and safety requirements, 

test methods 

Surfaces for sports areas. Determination of resistance to indentation 

Surfaces for sports areas. Determination of resistance to impact 

Surfaces for sports areas. Determination of the behaviour under a rolling load 

Paragliding equipment. Harnesses. Safety requirements and strength tests 

Diving accessories. Buoyancy compensators. Functional and safety requirements, 

test methods 

Surfaces for sports areas. Determination of thickness of synthetic sports surfaces 

Diving accessories. Snorkels. Safety requirements and test methods 

Light and lighting. Sports lighting 

Gymnastics equipment. Horses and bucks. Functional and safety requirements, 

test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Horizontal bars. Safety requirements and test methods 

Surfaces for sports areas. Procedure for the preparation of synthetic turf and 

textile pieces 

Mountaineering equipment. Chocks. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Connectors. Safety requirements and test methods 

17


BS EN 12276:1999 

BS EN 12277:1998 

BS EN 12278:1998 

BS EN 12346:1999 

BS EN 12432:1998 

BS EN 12491:2001 

BS EN 12492:2000 

BS EN 12572:1999 

BS EN 12628:1999 

BS EN 12655:1998 

BS EN 13089:1999 

BS EN 13158:2000 

BS EN 13178:2000 

BS EN 13277-1:2000 

BS EN 13277-2:2000 

BS EN 13277-3:2000 

BS EN 13319:2000 

BS EN 13451-1:2001 

BS EN 13451-2:2001 

BS EN 13451-3:2001 

BS EN 13451-4:2001 

BS EN 13451-5:2001 

BS EN 13451-6:2001 

BS EN 13451-7:2001 

BS EN 13451-8:2001 

BS EN 13613:2001 

BS ISO 9462:1993 

Mountaineering equipment. Frictional anchors. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Harnesses. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Pulleys. Safety requirements and test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Wall bars, lattice ladders and climbing frames. Safety 


Gymnastic equipment. Balancing beams. Functional and safety requirements, test 

methods 

Paragliding equipment. Emergency parachutes. Safety requirements and test methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Helmets for mountaineers. Safety requirements and test 

methods 

Artificial climbing structures. Protection points, stability requirements and test 

methods 

Diving accessories. Combined buoyancy and rescue devices. Functional and safety 

requirements, test methods 

Gymnastic equipment. Hanging rings. Functional and safety requirements, test 

methods 

Mountaineering equipment. Ice tools. Safety requirements and test methods 

Protective clothing. Protective jackets, body and shoulder protectors for horse riders. 

Requirements and test methods 

Personal eye protection. Eye protectors for snowmobile users 

Protective equipment for martial arts. General requirements and test methods 

Protective equipment for martial arts. Additional requirements and test methods for 

instep protectors, shin protectors and forearm protectors 

Protective equipment for martial arts. Additional requirements and test methods for 

trunk protectors 

Diving accessories. Depth gauges and combined depth and time measuring devices. 

Functional and safety requirements, test methods 

Swimming pool equipment. General safety requirements and test methods 

Swimming pool equipment. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods 

for ladders, stepladders and handle bends 


for pool fittings for water treatment purposes 


for starting platforms 


for lane lines 


for turning boards 


for water polo goals 


for leisure water features 

Roller sports equipment. Skateboards. Safety requirements and test methods 

Alpine ski-bindings. Safety requirements and test methods 

18


BS ISO 9838:1991 

BS ISO 10045:1991 

BS ISO 10228:1991 

BS ISO 11088:1993 

BS ISO 11416:1995 

ISO 5355:1997 

ISO 5902:1980 

ISO 6003:1984 

ISO 6004:1991 

ISO 6005:1991 

ISO 6265:1992 

ISO 6266:1980 

ISO 6267:1980 

ISO 6289:1985 

ISO 6959:1983 

ISO 6960:1983 

ISO 7138:1984 

ISO 7139:1984 

ISO 7140:1985 

ISO 7331:1990 

ISO 7794:1991 

ISO 7795:1994 

ISO 7796:1985 

ISO 7797:1985 

ISO 7798:1984 

ISO 8061:1991 

ISO 8364:1999 

ISO 8614:1997 

ISO 8783:1999 

ISO 9119:1990 

ISO 9465:1991 

ISO 9523:1990 

ISO 10256:1996 

ISO 10257:1996 

Alpine ski-bindings. Test soles for ski-binding tests 

Alpine skis. Binding mounting area. Requirements for test screws 

Cross-country skis. Binding mounting area. Requirements for test screws 

Assembly, adjustment and inspection of an alpine ski-binding-boot (S-B-B) system 

Tennis rackets. Racket components and physical parameters 

Alpine ski-boots — Safety requirements and test methods 

Alpine skis — Determination of the elastic properties 

Alpine skis — Determination of mass and polar moment of inertia — Laboratory 

measurement method 

Alpine skis — Ski binding screws — Requirements 

Alpine skis — Ski binding screws — Test methods 

Alpine skis — Determination of deformation load and breaking load 

Alpine skis — Determination of fatigue indexes — Cyclic loading test 

Alpine skis — Measurement of bending vibrations 

Skis — Terms and definitions 

ISO 6289:1985/ Amd 1:1993 

ISO 6289:1985/ Amd 2:1997 

Cross-country ski boots with three pin holes — Dimensions, interface and design 

Cross-country ski bindings with three pins — Dimensions, interface and design 

Cross-country skis — Determination of mass and location of balance point 

Cross-country skis — Determination of elastic properties 

Cross-country skis — Determination of dynamic performance — Laboratory 

measurement method 

Ski-poles for alpine skiing — Safety requirements and test methods 

Cross-country skis — Ski-binding screws — Requirements 

Cross-country skis — Ski-binding screws — Test methods 

Skis — Geometry — Measuring conditions 

Cross-country skis — Determination of breaking load and deflection at break with 

quasistatic load 

Cross-country skis — Determination of fatigue indexes — Cyclic loading test 

Alpine ski-bindings — Selection of release torque values 

Alpine skis and bindings — Binding mounting area — Requirements and test methods 

Ski bindings — Vocabulary 

Alpine skis — Guidelines for conducting slope performance tests 

Cross-country skis — Binding mounting area — Requirements and test methods 

Alpine ski-bindings — Lateral release under impact loading — Test method 

Touring ski-boots for adults — Interface with ski-binding 

Protective helmets for ice hockey players 

Face protectors and visors for ice hockey players 

19


ISO 10958-1:1998 

ISO 10958-2:1999 

ISO 11087:1997 

ISO 11088:1998 

ISO 11110:1997 

ISO 11497:1998 

ISO 11634:1996 

ISO 13992:1997 

ISO 14359:1997 

ISO 14790:1997 

ISO 378:1980 

ISO 379:1980 

Snowboards — Binding mounting area — Part 1: Requirements and test methods for 

snowboards without inserts 

Snowboards — Binding mounting area — Part 2: Requirements and test methods for 

snowboards with inserts 

Alpine ski-bindings — Retention devices — Safety requirements and test methods 

Assembly, adjustment and inspection of an alpine ski/binding/boot (S-B-B) system 

Winter-sports equipment — Test devices for the setting of the functional unit ski/boot/ 

binding — Requirements and tests 

Telemark skis and bindings — Binding mounting area — Requirements and test 

methods 

Snowboard-boots — Interface with ski-binding 

Alpine touring ski-bindings — Safety requirements and test methods 

Winter-sports equipment — Marking of parts made of polymer materials 

Snowboard plate-bindings without a release mechanism — Safety requirements and 

test methods 

Gymnastic equipment — Parallel bars 

Gymnastic equipment — Horizontal bar 

ISO 5903:1981 Gymnastic equipment — Landing mats and surfaces for floor exercises — 

Determination of hardness and impact damping 

ISO 5904:1981 Gymnastic equipment — Landing mats and surfaces for floor exercises — 

Determination of resistance to slipping 

ISO 5905:1980 

ISO 5906:1980 

ISO 5907:1980 

ISO 11416:1995 

ISO 14460:1999 

PAS 008:1993 

PAS 015:1999 

PAS 30:1998 

PAS 36-1:2000 

PAS 36-2:2000 

Gymnastic equipment — Landing mats (2,000 mm x 1,250 mm x 60 mm) 

Gymnastic equipment — Surfaces for floor exercices — Mats 

Gymnastic equipment — Surfaces for floor exercises — Boards 

Tennis rackets — Racket components and physical parameters 

Protective clothing for automobile racing drivers — Protection against heat and flame 

— Performance requirements and test methods 

Cricketers’ helmets 

Helmets for equestrian use 

Outdoor recreational multi-sports equipment. Specification 

Goals for small-sided football. Specification for metal goals 

Goals for small-sided football. Specification for plastics goals 

20

References and Abstracts 

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database 

Item 1 

Plastics News(USA) 

12, No.51, 19th Feb.2001, p.13 

ACCU-FORM’S KAYAKS TAKE ON RAPID 

GROWTH (SHORT ARTICLE) 

After entering the thermoformed kayak business, Accu- 

Form Polymers plans to expand the size of its North 

Carolina campus. The expansion will include two new 

vacuum forming stations to make kayaks and other 

products. The need for space partly stems from Accu- 

Form’s introduction of thermoformed ABS kayaks. The 

boats are stiffer and lighter than other plastic kayaks, 

which generally are rotomoulded. 

USA 


Item 2 

Popular Plastics and Packaging 

46, No.2, Feb.2001, p.20 

EBONITE ENHANCES THEIR SEE-THROUGH 

BUDWEISER BOWLING BALL WITH 

REACTINT COLOURANTS FROM MILLIKEN 

CHEMICAL 

Ebonite International manufactures and sells a full line of 

clear bowling balls called EverClear. The company has 

signed a licensing agreement with Anheuser-Busch to 

produce the clear Budweiser Ball, which contains a replica 

of a Bud bottle coloured with Milliken Chemical’s Reactint 

encased in clear polyester. EverClear balls combine 

Ebonite’s open-pour, cast elastomer urethane and polyester 

technology with Reactint polymeric colourant. Ebonite uses 

a mixture of Reactint and polyester resin in the Budweiser 

Ball to replicate the beer bottle at the ball’s core. 

USA 


Item 3 


12, No.46, 15th Jan.2001, p.4 

DAIMLERCHRYSLER TACKLES MOULDED- 

IN-COLOUR BODIES 

Two of DaimlerChrysler’s three concept vehicles debuting 

at the North American International Auto Show feature 

composite, moulded-in-colour bodies. Both the Jeep 

Willys and Chrysler Crossfire concept vehicles have 

carbon fibre bodies over an aluminium frame that could 

be produced through injection moulding. 

USA 


Item 4 

Composites Technology 

7, No.1, Jan./Feb.2001, p.45-8 

BOARDS IN THE EXTREME 

Dawson D 

New technologies for the production of surf boards, wake 

boards, and kite boards are examined. The use of 

composite materials for these high performance boards 

is discussed as the industry moves from personalised 

board production providing varying degrees of durability 

and performance, to highly engineered composite 

structures formed under compression and processed in 

controlled, heated autoclaves. Examples are given of the 

use of composite materials and manufacturing techniques 

by various board producers. 

USA 


Item 5 


6, No.6, Nov./Dec.2000, p.40-3 

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT MOLDERS VALUE 

FRP DURABILITY AND STRENGTH 

Stewart R 

This article discusses the use of composites in the 

manufacture of personal jet-ski water craft. Section 

headings include: personal water-craft sales decline in 

maturing market, compression-moulding cycle is 

streamlined for efficiency, hulls of four Kawasaka models 

are layed up by hand, Yamaka hull design requires testing 

before tooling, lighter replacement hulls in aftermarket, 

Polaris models are layed up or sprayed up, and 

Bombardier moulders spray-up parts just-in-time. 

ADVANCED COMPOSITE ENGINEERING; 

ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICAL CO.; BASF 

CORP.; BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL 

PRODUCTS; CORE MATERIALS CORP.; 

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.USA; LORD CORP.; 

POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.; PERSONAL 

WATERCRAFT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION; 

YAMAHA MOTOR CORP.; US,NATIONAL MARINE 

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION; ARCTIC CAT 

INC.; PREMIX INC. 

USA 


Item 6 

Composites International 

No.42, Nov./Dec.2000, p.51-8 

English; French 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: 

COMPOSITES CAN TAKE THE KNOCKS 

Composites provide head-to-foot protection for firefighters, 

the military and motorcyclists. In the last ten 

years, composites have become the prime choice for 

© Copyright 2001Rapra Technology Limited 21


shielding and bullet-proofing applications for both 

military and law-and-order missions. Aramid fibre and 

high-strength PE fibre in the form of yarn, mat or nonwoven 

fabric are the reinforcements most used, with 

thermoset and thermoplastic matrices. Motorcycle 

helmets are usually reinforced with aramid, PE and carbon 

fibres to obtain a satisfactory compromise of mechanical 

properties in the various parts of the helmet. Gloves, boots, 

body armour, back protectors and air cylinders all make 

use of composites. 

EUROPE-GENERAL 


Item 7 


No.42, Nov./Dec.2000, p.41-5 


SNOWBOARD: ALL-COMPOSITES 

The snowboard is a piece of equipment that is 100% 

composites. Rossignol has chosen the wet lay-up 

process, which turns out 1,400 to 1,600 boards per day. 

The Triple Hybrid Core developed by the company is 

topped off by a double torsion box. The use of carbon 

fibre and Kevlar/Aramid greatly contributes to reducing 

weight. At the centre of the board, a section of 

Microcell honeycomb structure is sandwiched with 

wood and Isocore, a glass fibre-reinforced PU. New 

snowboard bindings manufactured by Verton RF may 

be fastened quickly. They are designed in long glass 

fibre-reinforced nylon 66 composite supplied by LNP 

Engineering Plastics. 

ROSSIGNOL 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE; 

WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 8 


No.42, Nov./Dec.2000, p.33-9 


MOUNTAIN AND WINTER SPORTS 

APPLICATIONS ARE A NATURAL FOR 

COMPOSITE MATERIALS 

This article provides an overview of the main areas of 

application for composites in winter sports equipment. 

For the last four decades, the French manufacturer 

Rossignol has been devoting more than 3% of its turnover 

per year to R&D in new products. For ski and snowboard 

manufacture, a textile product, Rovinap, is used for 

structural reinforcement. It basically consists of layers of 

glass fibre mats stacked and stitched together. Epoxy is 

used as a laminating agent for the glass-fibre 

reinforcement and to bond all of the ski’s constituent 

components in a wet process. PU or Microcell foam is 

used for foam core downhill skis. Isocore is a glass fibre 

reinforced PU foam used for ski cores. Kevlar K49 is an 

aramid fibre used in the industry to reduce ski weight 

without sacrificing strength. 

ROSSIGNOL 




Item 9 

Advanced Materials & Composites News 

23, No.2, 15th Jan.2001, p.7-8 

PHOENIXX GOLF UNVEILS THREE NEW 

THERMO-COMPOSITE WOOD SHAFTS AT 2001 

PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW 

Phoenixx Golf has unveiled three new additions to its 

golf shaft product line, the Thermo-Pro Tour, Thermo- 

Lite Tour and Thermo-Force BT shafts for woods. All 

Phoenixx golf shafts incorporate the viscoelastic dynamic 

stiffening inherent in thermoplastic composite materials 

which provides a more stable club face at impact that 

yields tighter ball dispersion and superior shot accuracy. 

High technology PPS is reinforced with carbon fibres in 

the shaft. 

PHOENIXX GOLF 

USA 


Item 10 


23, No.2, 15th Jan.2001, p.3-4 

ALDILA LAUNCHES HM-40 TOUR GOLD 

SERIES OF GOLF SHAFTS 

Aldila, golf’s leading designer and manufacturer of high 

performance graphite fibre composite wood and iron 

shafts, has announced the re-introduction of its original 

HM-40 Tour Gold wood shaft and the introduction of two 

new HM-40 models. The HM-40 Tour Gold is the alltime 

best selling high-performance graphite fibre shaft 

for better players. The two new models offer the same 

performance attributes of the original shaft, but in today’s 

popular lighter weights. 

ALDILA INC. 

USA 


Item 11 

Antec 2000.Conference proceedings. 

Orlando, Fl., 7th-11th May, 2000, paper 464 

MODULUS PROPERTIES OF TRIAXIALLY 

BRAIDED CARBON FIBER/EPOXY SPARS 

Petrie S; Veilleux J M 

Massachusetts,University; Composite Engineering Inc. 

(SPE) 

A computer program was created to predict the mechanical 

properties of carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy resin masts for 

sailing boats. Rectangular section masts were produced, 

22 © Copyright 2001 Rapra Technology Limited


from which flat coupons were cut for flexural and tensile 

testing. The computer predictions were reasonably accurate 

for Young’s modulus, whilst the experimental tensile 

modulus values were approximately 10% higher than 

predicted, and the experimental flexural modulus was 

approximately 30% lower than predicted. 7 refs. 

USA 


Item 12 

Kunststoffe Plast Europe 

90, No.12, Dec. 2000, p.20-2. (Translated from 

Kunststoffe 90 (2000), 12, p.58-62) 

RIGHT SOFTWARE BRINGS SUCCESS 

Steck R 

The advantages are described of a standardised computer 

aided design data structure in the successful development 

of an electric golf caddy. Thermoplastik Erich Mueller 

GmbH uses the Thermoshape fusible-core process and 

innovative continuous-strand-reinforced thermoplastic 

carbon fibre to produce the caddy, which was designed 

using CAD techniques. The company claims that by using 

Pro/Engineer, it is employing a common system that 

makes a wide range of potential partner companies 

accessible to it. 

THERMOPLASTIK ERICH MUELLER GMBH 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY; 



Item 13 

Elastomers Times 

No.24, 2000, p.3 

ENGAGE MAKES A SPLASH WITH POOL TOYS 

FROM NOMACO 

Funnoodles from Nomaco are tubular foam water toys. 

The brightly coloured, 1.8m-long toys are made of LDPE 

blended with Engage polyolefin elastomer. Engage acts 

as a modifier that enhances the flexibility of the blended 

polymer product. The polyolefin elastomer is more stable 

and colourable than competitive products, and exhibits 

great tensile strength and good processability in the foam 

extrusion process. Engage also enhances the welding 

strength and weatherability of the toys. 

NOMACO INC.; DUPONT DOW ELASTOMERS SA 

USA 


Item 14 


No.24, 2000, p.2 

40 YEARS EXPERIENCE PROVES INFLATABLE 

BOATS LAST LONGER WITH HYPALON 

The most important factor in an inflatable boat is the type 

of material used to construct the air chambers. Fabrics 

coated with DuPont Dow Hypalon chlorosulphonated PE 

or PVC predominate. Hypalon coated onto polyester or 

nylon fabric with an inner coating of Neoprene is the most 

reliable and durable inflatable boat fabric available and 

can last for more than a decade even in the harshest 

environment, claims Severn Boats, the marketing and 

sales division of Severn Marine D.O.O. 

DUPONT DOW; SEVERN MARINE D.O.O. 

BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA 


Item 15 


No.24, 2000, p.1/4 

ENGAGE ADDS COMFORT TO SPORTING 

COMPONENTS 

Engage polyolefin elastomer is a key ingredient in 

snowboard straps, kayak seats and spa pillows made by 

Finproject, an Italian footwear and sporting goods 

company. Finproject has developed injection-moulded 

foams incorporating Engage that take advantage of the 

wide formulation latitude made possible by the expansive 

choice of crystallinity and molecular weights within the 

product line. 

DUPONT DOW ELASTOMERS; FINPROJECT SPA 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY; 



Item 16 

Fire Retardancy of Polymers. 

Cambridge, UK, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998, 

54F, p.395-417 

FLAME RETARDANT COMPOSITES, A 

REVIEW: POTENTIAL FOR USE OF 

INTUMESCENTS 

Kandola B K; Horrocks A R 

Bolton Institute 

Edited by: Le Bras M; Camino G; Bourbigot S; 

Delobel R 

(Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Lille; 

Torino,Universita; CREPIM) 

The major advantages of composites include low density, 

high specific strength and stiffness, good corrosion 

resistance and improved fatigue properties. The ability 

to tailor properties of composites makes them the only 

materials capable of transforming new design concepts 

into reality. Their major applications are in load-bearing 

structures in aircraft, automobiles, ships, pipelines, storage 

tanks, sports equipment, etc. as bulkhead, framework and 

panel components. However, with the organic nature of 

both the matrix binder and in some cases, fibres, nonflammable 

materials may be replaced with materials 

which may be thermoplastic, will support combustion and 

evolve large quantities of smoke while burning. Even if 

inorganic fibres like E-glass are the reinforcing structures, 

composite fire resistance will be determined by that of 



the organic matrix and the low melting point of these 

fibres. Hence, a major current concern is the evaluation 

and improvement of the heat and flame resistance of these 

structures and, more specifically, the need to investigate 

the potential for use of intumescents. To understand the 

performance of composite structures in fire and intensive 

heat situations, it is necessary to examine the nature and 

chemistry of their constituents. 52 refs. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK; 



Item 17 

European Plastics News 

27, No.11, Nov.2000, p.53 

POM GETS INTO GEAR 

Warmington A 

Automotive applications account for 46% of polyacetal 

by end-use, with electric/electronic at 11%. Other 

applications include industrial equipment, appliances, 

consumer goods and sports equipment. Only four 

companies currently produce POM in Europe: Ticona, 

DuPont, BASF and Zaklady Azotowe. Rhodia and DSM 

are also present as distributors and imported materials 

have a stronger market presence in POM than in most 

engineering polymers. Ticona is to increase capacity at 

its main site in Kelsterbach, Germany, taking capacity 

from 77,000 t/y to 100,000 t/y by the end of 2002. 

Producers managed to push through a series of price 

increases over the past 15 months. 

WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL 


Item 18 


22, No.22, 20th Nov.2000, p.1-2 

SAN DIEGO FIRM REDUCES BROKEN 

BASEBALL BATS AND PLAYER INJURIES AS 

WELL 

Blackwrap Sports Inc. 

Blackwrap Sports Inc. are reported to be using advanced 

composites in the form of a safety tape, called Shocgard, 

to strengthen the handles of baseball bats, allowing the 

bats to flex to 5 in. without breaking. The tape is made 

from a composite of graphite and Kevlar fibres and is 

used on both wooden and aluminium bats. The benefits 

of this tape to the sport of baseball are indicated. 

USA 


Item 19 

Polyurethanes Conference 2000. Conference 

proceedings. 

Boston, Ma., 8th-11th Oct.2000, p.117-126 

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR VISCOELASTIC FOAM 

Hager S; Skorpenske R; Triouleyer S; Joulak F 

Bayer Corp. 

(American Plastics Council,Alliance for the 

Polyurethanes Industry) 

The production and use of slow recovery viscoelastic PU 

foams have increased rapidly. Their unique performance 

characteristics, including shape conformance, vibration 

and sound damping, and energy and shock absorption, 

make these the foams of choice for many diverse 

applications such as pillows, mattress toppers, automotive 

trim, sports and medical equipment, and ergonomic 

cushions and pads. These diverse applications require a 

wide range of foam grades with tailored performance 

properties. New polyol and formulating technology is 

being developed to meet the increased demands for 

improved processing, wider grade latitude and improved 

performance properties of viscoelastic foam. The results 

of systematic experimental design studies conducted in 

the laboratory to help develop this technology are 

reported. A key advance is the development of polyol 

compositions that enable the production of high quality, 

soft viscoelastic foams at 100 index and above. This 

eliminates processing inconsistencies associated with low 

index foaming, and yields foams with superior 

performance characteristics such as improved 

compressions set, reduced discoloration and finer cell 

structure with improved feel. Formulating routes to 

optimise key foam performance features such as low 

resilience, slow but complete recovery, maintenance of 

slow recovery characteristics with use, reduced 

temperature sensitivity, good airflow, and good strength 

properties are also identified. The results of machine foam 

studies are presented along with additional foam 

performance results. 1 ref. 


USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 20 

158th. ACS Rubber Division Meeting - Fall 2000. 

Conference preprints. 

Cincinnati, Oh., 17th.-19th. Oct. 2000, paper 21 

POLYETHER BLOCK AMIDE RESINS: 

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN 

THERMOPLASTICS AND RUBBERS 

Dennis G M; O’Brien G 

ATOFINA Chemicals Inc. 

(ACS,Rubber Div.) 

The Pebax family of polyether block amide resins is 

discussed with reference to its performance characteristics 

and typical applications. The PEBA structure combines a 

regular linear chain of rigid polyamide segments 

interspaced with flexible polyether segments. The 

compatibility between this two-phase crystalline and 

amorphous structure creates a blend of properties which 

are said to bridge the gap between thermoplastics and 

rubbers. Dynamic property testing, flexibility and impact 



performance vs. temperature, elastic performance, 

processing, and speciality grades are examined. End use 

applications include sporting goods, belting, breathable 

structures, polymer modification, and a TPU processing 

aid. 

USA 


Item 21 

Machine Design 

72, No.20, 19th Oct.2000, p.46 

DUAL BLADE SWIM FINS HAVE DIVERS 

KICKING WITH EASE 

The features of ScubaPro’s Twin Jet fins, which have dualblades 

made from tough, flexible Monprene thermoplastic 

elastomer, are described. The blades convert more of the 

diver’s kicking energy into forward motion than 

conventional paddle-shaped swim fins. A special diving 

fin (the Twin Jet Graphite), which is moulded from a 

softer, more flexible Monprene formulation, which is 

lighter in water than the standard Twin Jet, is also available 

from the company. 

SCUBAPRO 

USA 


Item 22 

SAMPE Journal 

35, No.2, March/April 1999, p.52-7 

HURRICANE: THE 1998 UNIVERSITY OF 

HAWAII HUMAN POWERED VEHICLE 

Ghasemi Nejhad M N; Yuen R D; Veomett J K; Uyema 

M N; Saiki L S; Bernal J S; Ng R K H; Young S T M 

Hawaii,University 

A description is given of the design, manufacture and 

testing of the frame and removable, aerodynamic fairing 

used in Hawaii University’s semi-recumbent, single-rider 

Human Powered Vehicle. Both the frame and fairing are 

made from advanced composites and computer aided 

design was utilised in the design of the vehicle. 

USA 


Item 23 

High Performance Plastics 

Oct.2000, p.6-7 

TREND TOWARD LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON 

BIKES IS A WINNER FOR COMPOSITES AS 

WELL AS RIDERS 

This article focuses on the increasing use of carbonreinforced/ 

epoxy composites in the production of 

lightweight racing bicycles, and looks in particular at those 

produced by Trek Inc. of the USA, the company which 

supplied the US Postal Service professional racing team 

in the 1999 and 2000 Tour de France events. 

TREK INC.; RADIUS ENGINEERING INC. 




Item 24 

Plastics News International 

Oct.2000, p.6/8 

PLASTICS WIN AND LOSE AT THE OLYMPICS 

Kettle M 

This article highlights several “winning” plastics 

applications in the Sydney Olympics infrastructure, such 

as vinyl flooring in the arrivals hall of Sydney 

International Airport, the roofing of the huge games 

stadium, the roofing of the equestrian centre, mattresses 

and bed-heads for the athletes, a sports surface at the tennis 

centre, and seating in the SuperDome. It is also reported 

that the organisers adopted a PVC-minimisation policy, 

instigated by Greenpeace. 

ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES AUSTRALIA; 

GE PLASTICS; CADILLAC PLASTICS; 

LASERLITE AUSTRALIA; BAYER; VISCOUNT 

PLASTICS; BIS SHRAPNEL; AV SYNTEC; 

AUSTRALIA,VINYL COUNCIL; GREENPEACE 

INTERNATIONAL; MONTELL 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 25 


12, No.31, 2nd Oct.2000, p.9 

PLASTIC ENTERS OLYMPICS IN ITS OWN 

WAY 

Tilley K 

This article highlights several ways in which plastics were 

used in the Sydney Olympics this year, such as the stadium 

running track surface, the singlets worn by international 

wrestlers, security passes, gymnasts’ floor mats, swimsuits, 

and a tennis surface. It is also reported that the 

organisers adopted a PVC-minimisation policy, instigated 

by Greenpeace. 

DOW CHEMICAL CO.; WESTPAC BANKING 

CORP.; GREENPEACE 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 26 

Rubber India 

52, No.6, June 2000, p.11-5 

RUBBER INFLATABLES FOR USE IN 

THERAPEUTICS AND LIFE SAVING DEVICES 

Banerjee B 

Bengal Waterproof Ltd. 

Rubber inflatables with or without reinforcement have 

been designed and developed for use as medical 



equipment for the management of various ailments. Some 

of the devices are successfully used in the treatment of 

serious chronic diseases. The most sophisticated and 

important implementation area of rubber inflatables is life 

saving and safety equipment technology, used by the 

Indian Defence forces for army, navy and airforce 

operations. A few of the selected items made from all 

rubber sheeting/rubberised textile using natural or 

synthetic substrates effectively instrumental in social 

service sector by way of medical aid and for defence 

operational requirement are described. 

INDIA 


Item 27 


12,No.32, 9th Oct. 2000, p.10 

RACETRACK TESTS FOAM TO CUSHION 

CRASHES 

Pryweller J 

Cellofoam North America Inc. has provided Lowe’s 

Motor Speedway in Concorde, N.C., with a crash barrier 

system for its racetrack. The system comprises expanded 

foam blocks with an outer shell of polystyrene. The outer 

wrapping prevents the expanded polystyrene from 

exploding on impact. Tests are currently being conducted 

at the racetrack involving the dropping of a 5000 pound 

Cadillac on to the foam blocks. The barrier system will 

prevent serious or fatal injury to the stock car drivers. 

NASCAR; LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY; 

CELLOFOAM NORTH AMERICA INC. 

USA 


Item 28 


27, No.9, Oct.2000, p.37 

DYNAMIC DESIGN 

Reade L 

DuPont’s Imagineering competition challenges young 

designers across Europe to make innovative use of plastic 

materials. The theme for this year’s event was “Personal 

Safety and Care” and included sport and leisure 

applications. The winning entry in the UK arm of the 

competition is a modified snowboard, which makes it 

easier for the rider to change position on the board. A 

sliding unit, a so-called dynamic binding system, was 

devised to fit between the board and the binding. A toggle 

clamp fixes the binding into place. The part was designed 

in Zytel, a toughened, glass-reinforced nylon 66. Other 

entrants in the competition included a toboggan, flippers, 

a penknife/emergency tool and a rucksack with retractable 

feet that transforms it into a seat. 

DUPONT CO. 




Item 29 

Asian Plastics News 

July/Aug.2000, p.15 

GAS-ASSIST TO THE FORE 

A new golf-cart roof is one of the largest parts ever to be 

produced by gas-assisted injection moulding. This article 

takes a close look at its development and production, and 

the benefits of producing this part in this way. 

CINPRES; CLUB CAR; THOMSON PLASTICS; 

MONTELL; MOLDFLOW; MILACRON 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK; USA; 



Item 30 


12, No.21, 24th July 2000, p.4 

COMPOSITE BIKES BECOMING TOUR DE 

FORCE 

Miel R 

As US bicycle racer Lance Armstrong closed in on his 

second Tour de France victory, the company that makes 

his composite-frame bicycle, Trek Bicycle Corp. of 

Wisconsin, forecast a huge increase in its composite bike 

sales. This article discusses the use of composites in racing 

bikes and looks at some of the company’s range. 

TREK BICYCLE CORP.; LOOK CYCLE 

INTERNATIONAL; HEXCEL; CANNONDALE 

CORP.; KESTREL BICYCLE CORP. 




Item 31 


12, No.27, 4th Sept.2000, p.1/17 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 

Renstrom R 

Clark Foam in Southern California manufactures the most 

rigid PU foam surfboard blanks in the world. The 

company combines polyester-type polyol and isocyanate 

in a reactor vessel. Technicians hand-pour a selected PU 

formulation into a concrete mould with a mould release 

agent. The mixed chemicals react to form PU and carbon 

dioxide gas bubbles that expand and create the foam. The 

process produces a semi-finished blank of uniformly white 

foam that retains its clean look. Clark Foam sells standard 

densities in various sizes and thicknesses. The company 

has not raised its prices in six years. Alternative methods 

of producing surfboards are outlined. 

CLARK FOAM 

USA 


Item 32 

Macplas International 



No.9, Aug.2000, p.88 

SNOW SCOOTER 

A snowscooter, manufactured by Bombardier-Nordtrac 

of Finland is equipped with hoods made of Bayflex 110 

glass fibre reinforced polyurethane from Bayer. The 

suitability of the material for this particular application 

is briefly described, and centres on its low temperature 

properties and high impact strength. In addition, the part 

can be manufactured by the RIM process, which gives 

significant economic advantages. 

BOMBARDIER-NORDTRAC; BAYER AG 

EUROPEAN UNION; FINLAND; SCANDINAVIA; WESTERN 

EUROPE 


Item 33 


No.9, Aug.2000, p.82-3 

COATINGS AND ADHESIVES 

Suprasec 2386 has been developed by Huntsman 

Polyurethanes as part of its MDI-based binders range. 

The product is suitable for use in a variety of applications 

from electronics and telecommunications to food 

packaging and sports. As a coating for the electronics and 

telecommunications industries, Suprasec 2386 has been 

formulated to provide a new modified pure MDI as a direct 

replacement for pure MDI in wire coating applications. 

Its advantages in this application, food packaging 

adhesives, spray coating for concrete and anti-corrosion 

coatings, sports surfaces, and one-component, solvent free 

laminated panel adhesive for applications in cold rooms, 

warehouses, and computer isolation rooms, are described, 

with particular reference to storage stability and low 

temperature properties. 

HUNTSMAN POLYURETHANES 

USA 


Item 34 


90, No.5, May 2000, p.21-2; p.76-7 

English; German 

THREE WEEKS UNTIL THE START 

Hell M 

Creaholic SA 

Victory in the race through the Australian bush was the 

finale to the extraordinary development of a solar-powered 

electric bike. Less than three weeks were available for 

the production of the key parts of the bike. With the aid 

of stereolithography, however, the challenge was 

successfully met. Details are given. 

SWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 35 

Materials World 

8, No.6, June 2000, p.11-3 

GOOD VIBRATIONS - MATERIAL SWING INTO 

ACTION 

Jenkins M 

Materials technology has played a vital, lately 

controversial role in the history of tennis, especially during 

the modern era with the advent of powerful composite 

rackets. For the average player, modern rackets offer a 

range of benefits, such as oversized sweat spots and 

efficient vibration damping, that make the game hugely 

more attractive. In fact, new technology could lead to the 

effective elimination of vibration. In the 1970s aluminium 

frames offering increased stiffness and reduced mass 

enjoyed a brief period of success However, towards the 

end of the decade new continuous fibre composites were 

introduced that rapidly superseded aluminium as a frame 

material. The first of these composite materials consisted 

of glass fibres held within a polyester resin matrix, and 

later rackets went on to encompass various grades of 

carbon fibres within epoxy resin matrices. The latest 

developments are reviewed. 3 refs. 


WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 36 

Journal of Reinforced Plastics & Composites 

19, No.11, 2000, p.848-62 

DAMPING OF MOISTURE-ABSORBED 

COMPOSITE RACKETS 

Chou P J C; Ding D; Chen W-H 

Feng Chia,University; Taiwan,Industrial Technology 

Research Institute 

The influence of moisture absorption on damping of tennis 

rackets is characterised. Three thermoset and one 

thermoplastic matrix composites are used for the rackets. 

The first is a carbon/epoxy system, and the second is similar 

except that the epoxy is a PU-modified type. The third is an 

interleaved composite that adds nylon 6 non-woven fabrics 

in between the carbon/epoxy plies. The last is a thermoplastic 

composite made from commingled yarns that mix carbon 

and nylon 6 filaments. Based on these materials, four 

prototypes of tennis rackets with identical shape are 

fabricated. Two environments representing extreme 

hygroscopic conditions are applied to the rackets. One is a 

dried condition that forces the rackets to expel moisture, the 

other is a wetted condition that allows the rackets to be fully 

saturated. Under these conditions the vibration tests are 

conducted by using the impulse method. The time-response 

of the rackets excited by a hammer is acquired, and the 

corresponding frequency response function is calculated in 

real time. The resonant frequency and the damping ratio are 

measured for each racket under the dried and wetted 

conditions. How the vibration behaviour depends on the 

material systems and how the rackets respond to the 

hygroscopic conditions are discussed. 10 refs. 

TAIWAN 




Item 37 

Scrap Tire News 

14, No.7, July 2000, p.1/10 

RUBBERCYCLE MAKES PLAYGROUNDS 

SAFER 

When Rubberecycle opened nearly eighteen months ago, 

it already had the tyre contract for Ocean County, New 

Jersey in hand and an eager parks and recreation 

department ready to install the company’s signature 

product - Playsafer - a crumb rubber surfacing material 

for use on playgrounds and recreation areas. In fact, 

Rubberecycle has been a part of the county’s solid waste 

management plan since March 1997. The system at 

Rubberecycle consists of a two-stage ambient processing 

operation followed by a cryogenic system and a 

hammermill for final granulation to 100 mesh size. Details 

are given. 

RUBBERCYCLE 

USA 


Item 38 

Rubber World 

222, No.2, May 2000, p.30/6 

OVERMOLDING AND CO-EXTRUDING MELT- 

PROCESSIBLE RUBBER ON RIGID 

SUBSTRATES 

Santoleri D; Armour J 

Ferro Corp. 

Soft-touch materials are frequently used in combination 

with rigid substrates nowadays, for example in car 

interiors, hand tools, personal care items, and sporting 

goods. Manufacturers are challenged to find the best 

means of joining hard and soft materials. This article looks 

at traditional methods and also a variety of new processing 

techniques such as: co-injection moulding, two-shot 

moulding, insert moulding, and co-extrusion. It also 

examines the properties of melt-processible rubber (MPR) 

and describes over-moulding and co-extruding with MPR. 

BLACK & DECKER; DYNABRADE; WATERLOO 

INDUSTRIES; LESUER 

USA 


Item 39 


72, No.15, 3rd Aug. 2000, p.72-6 

REINFORCED PLASTICS MAKE METALS 

LOOK WEAK 

Johnson P; Greene T 

Applied Fiber Systems Ltd. 

The construction and compression moulding basics of 

continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites, 

highly drapable and conformable versions of which have 

recently been developed, are detailed. Mould design 

considerations are also summarised and variations of the 

compression moulding process used to make composite 

parts, such as kayak paddles, are described. These 

variations are single-press/heated-cooled platens, hot/cold 

shuttle press and single-press/heated-cooled moulds. 

Some mechanical and thermal properties of these 

composites are compared with those of standard, 

unreinforced and discontinuous reinforced products. 

USA 


Item 40 


27, No.6, June 2000, p.29 

GAS-ASSIST TO THE FORE 

A new golf cart roof has been produced in the USA using 

gas-assisted injection moulding. It is one of the largest 

parts ever manufactured in this way. This article takes a 

detailed look at its development and production. 

CINPRES; THOMSON PLASTICS; MODEL DIE & 

MOLD; MONTELL; MOLDFLOW; MILACRON 




Item 41 

Materie Plastiche ed Elastomeri 

65, Nos.1/2, Jan./Feb.2000, p.34/41 

Italian 

UNTIL THE BOAT LEAVES 

Nazari G 

Developments in the use of plastics, composites and 

coated fabrics in boat construction are examined on the 

basis of craft featured at the 1999 Genoa Boat Show. Some 

statistics are presented for the Italian boating market. 

UCINA; SELVA; CAROLINA SKIFF INC.; NEVEUX 

LOISIRS; EURO TANK NORD; MARTINI; 

MARIPOSA; WATERGAMES; SAPIENS & SAPIENS 


ITALY; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 42 

Plastics and Rubber Weekly 

No.1850, 18th Aug.2000, p.7 

HOMEBLOWN - SURF BOARD FOAM THE 

NEW WAY 

Boatshed has established itself as the UK’s leading 

supplier of surfboard blanks, with a 60% share of the 

market, estimated to be worth 300,000 pounds sterling. 

In addition, 15% of its production is exported to Europe. 

The company’s own manufacturing technology, 

HomeBlown, was developed around MDI rather than TDI, 

the material most commonly used in the manufacture of 

surfboard blanks. One of the main drivers in using MDI 

was to minimise the health risks to employees and to 



reduce the environmental impact of the business. A CNC 

system was developed, which ensures that the foam is 

delivered exactly where it is required, and in the correct 

volume and density. Tests have shown that HomeBlown 

foam outperforms any of the competitors’ strength-toweight 

ratio, whiteness and durability in use. 

BOATSHED LTD. 




Item 43 


22, No.15, 7th Aug. 2000, p.6 

NEW, COMPOSITE-MODIFIED BASEBALL BAT 

PATENTED 

A new composite-modified baseball but for professional 

league players has been developed by PCs of Escondido, 

California, which incorporates a hybrid composite overlay 

on a conventional wood bat handle. This addition, is 

claimed to yield a synergistic performance, provide safety 

enhancement, and does not degrade the bat’s playability. 

The hybrid composite includes an AS-4 carbon fibre from 

Hexcel with Kevlar 49 from DuPont. 

PCS 

USA 


Item 44 

Revue Generale des Caoutchoucs et Plastiques 

77, No.783, Feb.2000, p.32 

French 

BOATING: FINE WEATHER FOR PLASTICS 

Forest J P 

Trends in the boating market in France are examined, and 

a number of statistics are presented. 

FEDERATION DES INDUSTRIES NAUTIQUES 




Item 45 

Reinforced Plastics 

44, No.5, May 2000, p.10 

MATERIAL NOT DESIGN SNAG FOR TEAM 

PHILIPS 

This short article reports briefly on the failure of a section 

of the hull of Team Philips, the world’s largest catamaran, 

which broke off during sea trials recently. Initial analysis 

has indicated that the problem was a material fault, not a 

design fault. 

SP TECHNOLOGIES; GOSS CHALLENGE LTD. 




Item 46 


May 2000, p.30-1 

GAS ASSIST SYSTEM EMPLOYED IN 

SUPERDOME SEATING 

We are informed that the multi-purpose SuperDome built 

for the Sydney Olympics features injection-moulded 

seating which was manufactured by Camatic Pty. Ltd. 

using Battenfeld’s “Airmould” gas-assisted technology. 

This article fully describes the seating and the machinery 

used to mould it. 

BATTENFELD; CAMATIC PTY.LTD. 

AUSTRALIA; WORLD 


Item 47 


22, No.9, 1st May 2000, p.5-6 

NEW ALUMINUM/CARBON FIBER 

COMPOSITE DELIVERS SUPERIOR 

PERFORMANCE 

This short article highlights the development of a new, 

super-lightweight, super-strong, aluminium/carbon fibre 

“Next LP” composite crank for mountain bikes, from Race 

Face Components of the USA. Brief details are provided. 

RACE FACE COMPONENTS INC. 

USA 


Item 48 

Engineering Design 

No.2, 2000, p.6-7 

SPORTS SHOES WITH DUPONT ENGINEERING 

POLYMERS SET THE PACE 

Marabelli F 

DuPont Italiana SPA 

The use of engineering plastics from DuPont by 

manufacturers of a variety of sports shoes is described. 

The design is described of hiking boots which incorporate 

a Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer in an 

innovative insole, running shoes with a sole plate made 

from Zytel nylon, and cycling shoes moulded from glassreinforced, 

toughened Zytel nylon. In each application, 

the advantages afforded by the materials in terms of 

athletic performance, are discussed. 




Item 49 


64, Nos.11/12, Nov./Dec.1999, p.701-2 

Italian 

NOVELTIES ON TWO WHEELS 

Calato F 



Applications of GE Plastics’ Lexan polycarbonate in 

visors for motor cycle helmets and Lexan Margard 

polycarbonate sheeting in windshields for large 

scooters are described. Statistics are presented for 

Italian production of motor cycles and other two- and 

three-wheeled vehicles in the first six months of 1998 

and 1999. 

GE PLASTICS; PIAGGIO; HONDA ITALIA 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY; USA; 



Item 50 

Industria della Gomma 

43, No.10, Dec.1999, p.42-4 

Italian 

INFLATABLES, LIFEBELT OF THE ITALIAN 

BOAT INDUSTRY 

Economic trends in the Italian boat industry are examined, 

and the importance of inflatable boats in the market is 

discussed. Developments in wholly inflatable boats and 

structures combining inflatable components with GRP 

hulls are reviewed, and some craft featured at the 1999 

Genoa Boat Show are described. 

UCINA; ALSON; NOVAMARINE; SOLEMAR; 

CONTITECH; PENNEL & FLIPO SA; 

WATERGAMES 


GERMANY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 51 


12, No.12, 22nd May 2000, p.23 

MAINE RIVER INSPIRES CENTURY OF 

CANOES 

Smith S S 

This article gives information on the canoe building 

,company Old Town Canoe Co., giving details on the 

history of the company, types of canoes built and the 

materials used. Brief details are also provided on 

acquisitions of the company. 

OLD TOWN CANOE CO.; UNIROYAL PLASTICS 

CO.INC.; TEKNOR COLOR CO.; CARLISLE 

PADDLES INC.; WHITE CANOE CO.; OCEAN 

KAYAK INC. 

USA 


Item 52 

Modern Plastics International 

30, No.3, March 2000, p.80/2 

NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES BOOST 

PERFORMANCE PROFILE OF POLYOLEFIN 

FOAMS 

Graff G 

It is explained that new polymerisation, crosslinking, and 

foaming technologies are creating higher strength and 

lower density polyolefin foams that are challenging 

conventional polyolefin foams in packaging, sporting 

goods, automotive, medical, and building applications. 

This article provides detailed information on these new 

technologies. 

TOWNSEND TARNELL INC.; SENTINEL 

POLYOLEFINS LLC; DOW PLASTICS; PACTIV 

CORP.; TREXEL INC.; SEKISUI CHEMICAL 

CO.LTD. 

EUROPE-GENERAL; NORTH AMERICA; USA; WORLD 


Item 53 


30, No.4, April 2000, p.20A-C 

OLYMPIC STADIUM SEATING USES GAS- 

ASSIST PROCESS 

Stadium seating moulded with gas-assisted injection 

moulding will be lending its support to this year’s Olympic 

Games in Sydney, Australia. The arm rests, produced in 

flame-retardant nylon, were designed for the short-shot 

technique, while the PP backrest and seat were produced 

using an overflow chamber system. The decision to use a 

full-shot or a short-shot technique is dictated by part 

design. In another development, a hollow tube has been 

produced using the gas-assisted injection moulding 

process. 

CAMATIC PTY.LTD. 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 54 


72, No.8, 20th April 2000, p.34-5 

THERMAL FEA KEEPS FOOTBALL FIELD 

GREEN IN WINTER 

Dvorak P 

A turf-conditioning system has been developed to warm 

the grass of a football field. The system, designed and 

installed by Rehau, has 11.65 miles of plumbing and more 

than 40 miles of Raupex pipe. Heat-transfer software from 

Algor waas used to determine the amount of energy 

needed to run the system and optimise overall 

performance for differing environmental conditions. The 

piping, made of high-density crosslinked PE, lies on a 

bed of gravel under a sandy soil mixture. 

REHAU INC. 

USA 


Item 55 

Polymer Composites ’99. Conference proceedings. 

Quebec, Canada, 6th-8th Oct.1999, p.331-41 



RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES FOR 

CONTINUOUS GLASS FIBRE/ 

POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES 

Denault J; Robert C; Michaud J; BureauM N 

National Research Council of Canada 

(SPE; National Research Council of Canada) 

Continuous glass fibre/PP composite is a material 

particularly attractive as it can be processed without 

emission of volatile products and used in applications 

in which high stiffness and strength are required. The 

automotive industry plans a number of uses for this 

class of material and other applications in marine, 

transportation, sport and other industrial uses are also 

expected. As a result of this huge potential volume of 

production, a growing amount of waste material is 

expected for the next few years. It is shown that the 

continuous glass fibre fabric PP composites are 

thermally stable in strong recycling conditions, making 

them an attractive choice for applications in which high 

stiffness, strength and recyclability are required. While 

the use of conventional technologies for recycling of 

continuous glass fibre fabric PP composites do not 

permit to obtain composite material showing structural 

performance this leads to performance equivalent to 

those observed for the long glass fibre injection 

moulding grade and 50% of the performance of the 

compression moulded GMT preform. 6 refs. 

CANADA 


Item 56 

TPE’s 2000. Conference proceedings. 

Philadelphia, Pa., 28th-29th Sept.1999, p.203-16 

MULTI-COMPONENT INJECTION MOULDING 

WITH TPES 

Tam E; Messina T 

J-Von Co. 

(SPE,Thermoplastic Elastomers Special Interest Group; 

SPE,Philadelphia Section) 

Thermoplastic elastomers have been used extensively 

in the consumer, electronics, power tools, horticultural, 

appliances, telecommunications, personal care 

products, and sports and leisure markets either as an 

insert moulding or as an overmoulding substrate in 

combination with rigid materials. The results are better 

soft-touch feel, ergonomics and a change of consumer 

taste preferences in soft versus hard feel. Several 

classes of thermoplastic elastomers that are designed 

as insert or overmoulding compound for high impact 

PS, K-resin, PP, ABS and polyamides such as nylon 6 

and 6/6 without the use of adhesives are discussed. 

Mechanical properties of these materials are covered. 

Some typical applications and materials selection are 

illustrated. 

USA 


Item 57 


12, No.10, 8th May 2000, p.57 

OLYMPIANS TO PLAY ON POLYPROPYLENE 

TURF 

Weston P 

Details are given on a new turf with polypropylene fibres 

woven through its base to strengthen the playing surface. 

The new sports surface is said to improve drainage and 

make the ground softer and can also be rearranged, 

allowing worn areas to be replaced. 

HG TURF PTY.LTD.; MOTZ GROUP INC. 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 58 


22, No.10, 15th May 2000, p.10-11 

EXEL ACQUIRES FIBERSPAR PERFORMANCE 

PRODUCTS’ BUSINESS OPERATIONS 

Details are given on the acquisition of Fiberspar 

Performance Products by Exel Oyj. The companies 

manufacture and market sports equipment such as 

composite windsurfing masts and booms and it is said 

that the acquisition will strengthen Exel’s technology 

through Fiberspar’s expertise in 3-axial braiding and RTM 

production method. It is hoped that these extra 

technologies will enable Exel to offer products 

manufactured with new fibre structure solutions and 

improve their technological market situation. 

EXEL OYJ; FIBERSPAR PERFORMANCE 

PRODUCTS 


Item 59 


7, No.12, Dec.1999, p.739-40 

LOOKING INTO THE SOLE - TESTING SHOE 

MATERIALS 

Dengler K; Lang A 

adidas-Salomon AG 

The design of sports shoes is described with reference to 

the functions in terms of athletic performance of the sole 

material and construction. The complex nature of the 

variation of forces on the different parts of the shoe is 

examined at the adidas-Salomon test centre by the use of 

an Instron testing machine, which is capable of simulating 

force-time relationships The test centre uses a 8502 testing 

machine from Instron, which enables both the testing of 

the damping properties of existing shoe soles and the 

investigation and optimisation of further suitable 

materials. Further details are given of the testing of sports 

shoe designs and materials at the test centre. 






Item 60 


44, No.3, March 2000, p.52-3 

COST EFFECTIVE CARBON FABRICS, THE 

FOCUS FOR DEVOLD AMT 

Birkeland P 

Devold AMT AS is focusing on developing fabrics of 

carbon fibre and thermoplastic fibres mixed with glass 

fibre as part of its goal to maintain its position as the 

number one in multiaxial carbon fibre reinforcements, it 

is reported. The company has invested in new equipment 

in order to maintain this status. Details are given of 

product developments, and in particular, its Paramax 

(parallel multiaxial) multiaxial multiplied fabrics for the 

sports and aircraft, marine and wind turbine industries. 

DEVOLD AMT AS 

NORWAY; SCANDINAVIA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 61 


5, No.4, July/Aug.1999, p.40-2 

ENGINEERING INSIGHTS - CONVERTIBLE 

COMPOSITE CHASSIS SKATES AWAY FROM 

THE PACK 

This detailed article is one of a series on engineering 

insights, where an engineering challenge is presented, and 

a design solution found. In this particular article, the 

challenge is to produce an in-line skate with a lightweight 

detachable wheel chassis. The chassis must withstand highimpact 

stresses, enormous dynamic loads and exposure to 

dirt, water, and weather, and be competitively-priced. The 

design solution is provided by MGM SpA of Italy, (who 

used Zytel and Delrin from DuPont), and is fully explained. 

MGM SPA; DUPONT ENGINEERING POLYMERS 




Item 62 


11, No.54, 28th Feb.2000, p.17 

SURF’S UP FOR HIGH-TECH COMPOSITE 

BOARDS 

Renstrom R 

This article examines the use of composites in the 

manufacture of surf-boards, with the help of comments from 

three major US board producers: Surf Technicians Inc., Rusty 

Surfboards Inc., and Adventure Sports Inc. The way the 

companies each produce the boards is briefly described. 

SURF TECHNICIANS INC.; OWENS CORNING; 

RUSTY SURFBOARDS INC.; BIC SPORT; 

ADVENTURE SPORTS INC. 


THAILAND; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 63 

Engineering 

241, No.1, Jan.2000, p.31-2 

PLUG AND PLAY 

Ward J 

Paul Handley is a naval architect based in Old Coulsdon, 

Surrey. Concentrating on small vessels, his work includes 

the design of yachts, dinghies and all keel-boats. However, 

while Handley’s craft is one the oldest engineering design 

tasks known to humanity, he is one of the UK’s pioneers 

of the latest methods of production. The design of small 

boats is very much an evolutionary process. The basic 

rules governing stability and hydrodynamic performance 

are now comparatively well understood, and the materials 

choice comes down to a decision between wooden 

construction and the use of GRPs, with some use of aramid 

and carbon fibre in special applications. However, the 

development of a new hull design has remained a 

surprisingly manual process, despite advances in CAD 

technology and the availability of specialist boat design 

packages. Details are given. 




Item 64 

International Polymer Science and Technology 

26, No.8, p.T/56-T/61. (Translation of Muanyag es 

Gumi, No.5, 1999, p.152) 

CARBON FIBRE: THE CONSTRUCTION 

MATERIAL OF THE 21ST CENTURY 

Kovacs J 

Applications incorporating carbon fibres are reviewed, 

following a brief historical survey of its production. 

Tensile strength characterisation is examined and a 

comparison is included of the strength characteristics of 

carbon, metal and glass fibres. Comparisons are made by 

the use of density-related modulus evaluations, and 

dimensionless magnitudes, which demonstrate the high 

mechanical properties and heat resistance of carbon fibres. 

Various carbon fibre-reinforced composite types are 

described, and application areas discussed, include sports 

equipment, electronics, transport, concrete systems, 

building and marine industries, friction elements, 

industrial applications and alternative energy applications. 

2 refs. 

ZOLTEK CORP 

EASTERN EUROPE; HUNGARY 


Item 65 

Injection Molding 

8, No.3, March 2000, p.123-5 

MYSTERY OF THE CRACKED STADIUM SEATS 

Lantos P 

Target Group Inc. 



An injection moulder in Japan made 30,000 stadium seats, 

of which some developed a centre crack soon after 

installation. The seats had been moulded from orangepigmented 

HDPE. After several tests, it was found that 

the cracked seats had roughly half the impact strength of 

the good seats. It was hypothesised that the resin of the 

cracked seats had encountered excessive heat in the 

moulding process, followed by rapid cooling. This would 

have set up internal stresses in the part, resulting in 

cracking during use. 

USA 


Item 66 


Jan./Feb.2000, p.18 

QUANTUM LEAP FORWARD FOR STADIUM 

SEATING 

This article tells the story in detail of how Camatic, a 

Melbourne, Australia-based seating manufacturer is, 

through the use of gas-assisted injection moulding, 

pioneering a new era in sports stadium seating with its 

“Quantum” chair. 

CAMATIC 

AUSTRALIA; HONG KONG; KOREA; MALAYSIA; NEW 

ZEALAND; SINGAPORE; SOUTH AMERICA; TAIWAN 


Item 67 

Rubber and Plastics News 2 

21, No.6, 20th Dec.1999, p.5 

POLYMERS, ELASTOMERS PLAY INTO 

SPORTING GOODS MARKET 

Lauzon M 

This article gives information on sporting goods made 

from ultra-soft thermoplastic elastomers. Details are given 

on Versaflex CL2000 from GLS Corp., J-Soft from J-Von 

which can be brightly coloured and has excellent water 

resistance, also on QST TPE that bonds to engineering 

resins, simplifying production of underwater diving 

equipment. Polyurethanes are also discussed for their use 

in production of water skis, cross-country skis and 

snowboards. 

GLS CORP.; J-VON N.A.LLC; QST INC.; BAYER 

CORP.; TUBBS SNOWSHOE CO. 


Item 68 


43, No.7, Sept.1999, p.58-9 

Italian 

SIGNS OF RECOVERY FOR THE FOOTWEAR 

SECTOR 

The structure of the footwear industry in Italy is examined, 

and statistics are presented for Italian production and 

exports of machinery used in this sector. Injection 

moulding machines and raw materials for footwear 

manufacture featured by a number of companies at the 

Simac exhibition (Bologna, 5th-8th May 1999) are 

reviewed. 

MAIN GROUP; BGM SPA; GUSBI; API; ICI 

POLYURETHANES; KEMI SRL; WITCO CORP. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY; UK; 

USA; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 69 

Materiale Plastice 

36, No.3, 1999, p.180-4 

Rumanian 

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH FOR GETTING 

MICROCELLULAR PU ELASTOMERS FOR 

SPORTS SHOE SOLES 

Bolcu C; Martin O; Lucaciu N; Banut C; Szabo E 

Timisoara,Technical University 

This paper contains an experimental study carried out at 

industrial phase using the foaming installation in order to 

obtain soles for sports footwear. The raw material was a 

microstructure PU elastomer synthesised using the system 

PADE/MEG/SP-2. This paper contains both the functional 

parameters for the synthesis of the shoe soles and the best 

formulas for the system PADE/MEG/SP-2. Finally, the 

physical-mechanical characteristics of the microstructure 

PU elastomers obtained using the foaming installation 

are presented. 3 refs. 

EASTERN EUROPE; RUMANIA 


Item 70 


11, No.41, 29th Nov.1999, p.15-6 

EVER-IMPROVING PLASTICS GET IN THE 

GAME 

Lauzon M 

A review is presented of product developments in the 

sports and leisure markets, which have improved 

performance and design features due to their use of 

polymeric materials. In particular, water sports goods are 

described which have taken advantage of the new soft 

feel materials. Product developments in snow, water and 

land sports are described. 

USA 


Item 71 


No.6, May 1999, p.88-9 

SIMULATED MOULDING 

This article explains some of the difficulties of injection 

moulding large toy cars and bicycles, and how the use of 



short fibre reinforced thermoplastics (SFRT) can alleviate 

these problems. It then looks at the time-consuming 

process of prototyping, and introduces HiperPlast, an 

efficient and reliable computer simulator for the injection 

of SFRT. 

VALENCIA,POLYTECHNICAL UNIVERSITY; 

ONILCO 

EUROPE-GENERAL; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN 

UNION; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 72 


No.6, May 1999, p.75-6 

GOLFING ACCESSORIES 

In this article, three golfing accessories are highlighted. 

The first is a nine-slot irons organiser from Caddyrack 

UK, moulded in Capron 8253 BK 102 nylon 6 resin grade 

supplied by AlliedSignal. The second is also from 

Caddyrack - a club handle attachment to help with correct 

positioning of the player’s hands. It is made from Capron 

8202 BK 102 nylon 6. The third product is a tranparent 

UV-protective golf-cart top from Polymer Innovations 

Corp. This is made from polyester sheet extruded from 

Spectar copolyester supplied by Eastman Chemical. 

CADDYRACK UK; ALLIEDSIGNAL; POLYMER 

INNOVATIONS CORP.; EASTMAN CHEMICAL 




Item 73 


No.3, 1999, p.7 

NEW “TRANSFORMABLE” INLINE ROLLER/ 

ICE SKATE FROM MGM 

Marabelli F 

DuPont Italiana SpA 

MGM’s new Scout skating shoe can either be combined 

with a removable plate with wheels for inline roller skating 

or, alternatively, with a second plate incorporating a 

stainless steel blade for ice skating. The inline plate 

commercialised for inline roller skates, made of Zytel ST 

nylon, has been extended to a stainless steel ice skating 

blade overmoulded with a support of Zytel ST. An 

injection moulded interface part of Delrin 500T acetal 

resin is positioned between the blade structure and the 

shoe. 

MGM SPA 




Item 74 

Canadian Plastics 

57, No.12, Dec.1999, p.6 

NEW ELASTOMER PUTS B.C. FOOTWEAR 

COMPANY ON FAST TRACK 

Botex Industries, a manufacturer of footwear components 

for the athletic and casual shoe industries, has entered 

into an R&D agreement with Converse Footwear to create 

shoe parts with a promising new elastomer material. The 

material is described as an elastomeric compound with a 

phthalate-free plastisol base. It can be formulated with a 

durometer hardness range of 30 to 85 Shore A and a 

density ranging from 0.4 to 1.3g/cc, in solid or foamed 

forms. By adjusting the formula, the material can work 

in both cushioning and abrasion applications. 

BOTEX INDUSTRIES CORP.; CONVERSE 

FOOTWEAR 

USA 


Item 75 

Lancaster, Pa., Technomic, 1999, pp.ix,623. $350.00. 

28cms. 10/12/99 

POLYURETHANES EXPO ’99. PROCEEDINGS 

OF A CONFERENCE HELD ORLANDO, FL., 

12TH-15TH SEPT. 1999 

American Plastics Council,Alliance for the 

Polyurethanes Industry 

This conference focuses on the technical developments 

in the field of polyurethanes. Main sessions examine 

process innovations, coatings, adhesives, sealants and 

elastomers, and automotive, footwear, construction and 

furnishings applications. Papers include fibres based on 

blends of plasticised PVC and polyurethane, super low 

density polyurethane systems for sports shoes, foam 

processes and applications, polyurethane foam as an 

integral core component of automotive headliner, and 

monitoring potential degradation of polyurethanes in a 

landfill simulator. 


Item 76 

Polyurethanes Expo ’99. Conference proceedings. 

Orlando, Fl., 12th-15th Sept.1999, p.197-8 

RECYCLED PU USING A NOVEL TECHNIQUE 

Chandrasekaran R 

Quantum Polymers USA Inc. 



Scraps of PU soles are successfully recycled with some 

interesting findings using a scrap rubber recycling 

technique with slight modifications. Work carried out in 

comparing the properties of the recycled materials with 

virgin PU is reviewed. The recycled PU seems to have 

better processing characteristics and certain enhanced 

physical properties relative to virgin PU. The findings 

from this work, it is believed, would open a vast potential 

for recycling various scraps of PU for manufacture of 



moulded products, particularly in shoes and other sports 

goods applications. 

USA 


Item 77 

Polyurethanes Expo ’99. Conference proceedings. 

Orlando, Fl., 12th-15th Sept.1999, p.189-92 

SUPER LOW DENSITY POLYURETHANE 

SYSTEMS FOR SPORTS SHOES 

Sawai M; Miyamoto K; Takemura K; Mori M; 

Kiuchi K 

Kao Corp. 



A new concept of producing very lightweight (0.24-0.26 g/ 

cub.cm) PU midsoles instead of EVA for sports shoes is 

described in detail. Materials for the midsole of the dual 

density sport shoes are composed of PU or EVA. Although 

PU midsole has good cushioning (resilience), adhesive and 

processing properties compared with conventional EVA 

systems, it is difficult to reduce the moulding form density 

drastically. Recently, developments for high performance 

PU systems have focused on reducing the density by 

maintaining high physical properties. To solve this problem, 

several new progressive technologies are developed. The 

first uses a polyester polyol with functional cohesive units 

in main polymer chains. Using this polyester polyol, the hard 

segments of PU become tougher along with resin. The second 

distributes the cell diameter gradient toward the centre of 

the foam cross section. The split tear, one of the most 

important physical properties for midsole, is improved 

drastically. These new technologies will expand very 

lightweight PU into new applications and markets. 3 refs. 

JAPAN 


Item 78 

Canadian Plastics 

57, No.10, Oct.1999, p.42 

FOAMED PARTS, BUOYANT REVENUES 

Applications for Finproject N.A. Inc.’s process for 

injection moulding expanded EVA are discussed. The 

foamed part produced is said to expand from between 

1.4 to 1.9 times the original size when removed from the 

mould. Applications cited include shoe soles, boat 

bumpers, kick boards, sport padding, padding for hot tubs, 

wheels, snow board bindings and kayak seating pads. 

Research to find other materials for the process it is 

reported is being carried out, and resin suppliers and the 

National Research Council’s Industrial Materials Institute 

in Boucherville, Quebec are said to be assisting Finproject 

in this aim. 

FINPROJECT N.A.INC. 

CANADA 


Item 79 

Macplas 

24, No.211, Sept.1999, p.130-2 

Italian 

RACING BOAT HULL 

An account is given of finite element methodology which 

was employed by the University of Palermo to optimise 

fibre orientation in the skins of a sandwich structure used 

in the construction of a racing boat hull, with the objective 

of achieving improved mechanical performance under 

various navigation conditions. The structure examined 

consisted of a PVC foam core and carbon fibre-reinforced 

epoxy resin skins. 

PALERMO,UNIVERSITY; ADM; 

NAPOLI,UNIVERSITA 




Item 80 


26, No.11, Dec.1999, p.37 

ACETAL TURNS THE CORNER 


Overall, 1999 has been a year of stagnation for polyacetal 

and growth will probably be in the range of 1-2%. 

However, producers are seeing a marked improvement 

in this quarter. Europe’s three main producers are currently 

seeking to rectify a two-year price slide by pushing 

through an increase of 30pfg/kg. Currently, indicative 

price ranges for general purpose injection moulding 

copolymer grades are DM4.15-5.00/kg. The healthiest 

demand for polyacetal has come from the automotive 

sector and demand from the sports and leisure sector has 

also been good in recent months. 

WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL 


Item 81 


26, No.11, Dec.1999, p.35-6 

TRAINER TRENDS 

Lee S 

A modern high-tech sports shoe sole can consist of up to 

25 components covering a wide range of plastics, 

elastomers and rubber compounds. The best known sports 

shoes are the “white” shoes produced by such companies 

as Nike. In their most basic form, these consist of sole 

units that have rubber outsoles with mid-soles of EVA, 

elastomeric blown PU or polyolefin elastomers. The 

uppers of these shoes also include a large number of plastic 

components. Other areas of sports footwear include 

“plated” sports shoes, such as football boots, and shell 

constructions, such as ski boots. 






Item 82 


26, No.11, Dec.1999, p.33-4 

SPORTING CHANCES 


Plastics are used in many different sports and leisure 

applications, from clothing and camping gear to tennis 

racquets and golf clubs. PUs and engineering plastics 

made up 58% of the 39,000 tonnes of advanced materials 

used in North America in 1997. It is forecast that 

consumption of plastics in this sector, which refers mainly 

to golf, skiing and tennis, will fall slightly in the coming 

years, reaching 22,300 tonnes in 2002. 

WORLD 


Item 83 

Adhasion Kleben & Dichten 

41, Nos.7-8, 1997, p.13/6 

German 

THROUGH ADHESIVES TECHNOLOGY TO 

HIGHEST PERFORMANCE IN SPORT 

Shelford R 

CIBA Specialty Chemicals Ltd. 

In the field of high performance sports equipment 

struggling with competition is just as hard as in sport itself. 

Growing challenges for global competition on the other 

hand are giving rise to steady further developments in 

sports equipment which can only be achieved through 

using adhesives technology. Changes in designs over the 

last twelve years are examined along with the impact on 

the use of adhesives arising from new lighter materials in 

the construction of sports products, including kit light 

aircraft and bicycles which need to be glued together. 

Epoxide adhesives are discussed, as well as wood 

adhesives, the effects of temperature and hardening and 

the need to bond aluminium and carbon fibres, also the 

application of adhesives to golf clubs with stainless steel 

club heads and fibre glass reinforced plastic handles. 

LOTUS; GIANT MFG.CO.LTD. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; 

SWITZERLAND; TAIWAN; UK; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 84 

Advanced Materials & Processes 

156, No.4, Oct.1999, p.8 

THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS ARE 

EVERYWHERE 

A special thermoplastic elastomer film is being used to 

make the bladder of all NFL footballs and every football 

produced by Wilson Sporting Goods. The TPU film is 

supplied by Deerfield Urethane. Another TPU, provided 

by Stevens Urethane, is used in an air bladder system for 

antivibration gloves. Gillette’s Mach 3 razor has a softgrip 

handle provided by a custom-blended TPE developed 

by GLS. Advanced Elastomer Systems’ Santoprene 8000, 

a colourable, soft-touch TPE, is specified by ACCO 

Brands for its Swingline Contura line of staplers. 

USA 


Item 85 


13, No.10, Oct.1999, p.1/8 

RUBBER BRICKS GIVE SPRUCE MEADOWS A 

LEG UP 

In the arena of professional jumping competition, the 

stakes are high and the risks are great for both horse and 

rider. In order to continue attracting the world’s best horse 

jumpers, Spruce Meadows, located south cast of Calgary, 

is constantly searching for new ways to improve the safety 

of horses that compete there. To reduce the risk of horses 

slipping on their way into competition, the facility needed 

to find a safer material to surface walkways and entrances 

to arenas. Spruce Meadows has partnered with the Tire 

Recycling Management Association of Alberta (TRMA) 

to install interlocking rubber bricks manufactured from 

Alberta’s scrap tyres. Details are given. 

ALBERTA,TIRE RECYCLING MANAGEMENT 

ASSOCIATION 

USA 


Item 86 


7, No.11, Nov.1999, p.24-5 

MEXICO AND CANADA: BOTH OPPORTUNITY 

AND COMPETITION 

Von Hassell A 

Repton Group 

Mexico and Canada are seen as export opportunities for 

US injection moulders as well as a source of competition. 

Both countries are potential markets for high value-added 

and often complex moulded parts, but are also a major 

and effective competitor for high volume, low-cost parts. 

Data are given to demonstrate trade patterns, including 

projected figures for changes in imports and exports of 

key products with numerous injection moulded 

components. US imports from Canada and Mexico and 

exports from the US to Canada and Mexico for 2000- 

2005 are given for automotive parts, medical devices, 

consumer electronics, business electronics, toys and 

sporting goods, packaging items, furniture and 

components, and housing and components. 

CANADA; MEXICO 


Item 87 

Revista de Plasticos Modernos 

78, No.517, July 1999, p.59-67 



Spanish 

APPLICATIONS OF POLYMERS IN SPORT 

Perena J M 

Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Polimeros 

Sports applications of plastics, engineering plastics, 

rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers and composites are 

reviewed. Developments in materials for the manufacture 

of a range of sports equipment and sports footwear and 

clothing are examined. 

VITTORIA SPA; ALLIEDSIGNAL INC.; DU PONT 

DE NEMOURS E.I.,& CO.INC. 


SPAIN; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 88 


78, No.517, July 1999, p.55-8 

Spanish 

ELASTIC ADHESIVES IN THE SPORTS 

SECTOR 

Sastre A 

Sika SA 

The mechanical properties and adhesion characteristics 

of elastic one-component PU adhesives are examined, and 

applications in the bonding of plastics and composites in 

the manufacture of sports equipment are reviewed. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; SPAIN; 



Item 89 

Kauchuk i Rezina (USSR) 

36, No.5, 1999, p.152-6 

Hungarian 

CARBON FIBRE, THE CONSTRUCTION 

MATERIAL OF THE 21ST CENTURY 

Kovacs J 

After a review of the short history of carbon fibre 

production, the article deals with the mechanical 

properties of various fibres, carbon fibres in particular. 

Composites reinforced with carbon fibres are grouped 

according to their matrices (polymers, metals, concrete). 

Applications of carbon fibres are reviewed, such as sports 

equipment, frictional elements, electronics, transport, 

construction industry, shipbuilding, and alternative energy 

resources. 2 refs. Articles from this journal can be 

requested for translation by subscribers to the Rapra 

produced International Polymer Science and Technology. 

EASTERN EUROPE; HUNGARY 


Item 90 


29, No.10, Oct.1999, p.131 

PLASTICS DECORATING TECHNIQUE 

EMPLOYS VERSATILE LIQUID IMMERSION 

TECHNOLOGY 

The Final Finish liquid immersion decorating technique 

from Immersion Graphics transfers and permanently 

fixes images of any colour, design or pattern onto any 

non-porous item, including home and office furnishings, 

housewares, decorative accessories, communications 

devices, sports equipment and, most recently, aircraft 

interior panels. The process can handle threedimensional 

components either manually or 

automatically. 

IMMERSION GRAPHICS CORP. 

USA 


Item 91 

Automotive Rubber Trends 

3rd quarter, Sept.1999, p.38-46 

STRATEGIC PROFILE OF SUMITOMO 

RUBBER INDUSTRIES 

Sumitomo Rubber Industries is active in three main 

areas: tyres, industrial rubber products and sports goods. 

The most important influence on Sumitomo’s business 

over the next few years will be its new relationship with 

Goodyear. Under the deal, which is a de facto takeover 

by Goodyear of Sumitomo, four joint venture companies 

will be set up, together with two global service and 

support operations. Tyres remain Sumitomo’s core 

operation, but a high exposure to the Japanese market 

in the tyre segment has caused recent problems. The 

company has a long-term objective to diversify further, 

obtaining 50% of sales and earnings from non-tyre 

operations. 

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES CO.LTD. 

JAPAN 


Item 92 

Rubber Asia 

July-August,1999, p.158-9 

LEADING PLAYER IN FOOTWEAR 

The DSI Samson Group of Sri Lanka is discussed, with 

reference to its fifteen companies. The group is the leading 

footwear manufacturer in Sri Lanka, and nine of its 

companies are manufacturers of rubber products. The 

group has an annual turnover of Rs. 2500 million and has 

a workforce of 3700 employees. Details are briefly given 

of the activities of the nine rubber-based companies, which 

includes sports shoes, bicycle tyres and tubes, rubber mats, 

recycling scrap tyres, rubber mouldings, and 

compounding. 

DSI SAMSON GROUP 

SRI LANKA 




Item 93 


89, No.7, July 1999, p.39-40 

ALMOST LIKE FLYING. NEW TPU 

COMBINATIONS FOR SPORT AND LEISURE 

Salm W 

Elastogran GmbH 

Developments in thermoplastic PU elastomers(TPU) 

which help them meet the stringent demands for 

maximum quality, continuous service, long lifetime and 

an attractive design for the sports and leisure industries 

are discussed. The physical properties of three grades of 

Elastollan polyester-urethane thermoplastic elastomers are 

tabulated and photographs presented of ski or snowboard 

boots, ski tips (glass fibre-reinforced TPU), soles for 

cycling shoes, and soles for trainers and hiking boots. 

(German version of this paper, which includes tables, is 

on p.118-20) 




Item 94 

Coatings World 

4, No.6, Sept.1999, p.36-40 

POWDER POWDER EVERYWHERE 

Hess J 

It is claimed that the powder coatings industry is the fastest 

growing finishing technology in North America, 

increasing at a rate of 8-10%/year in pounds of powder. 

Markets such as appliance and automotive have been 

reaping the benefits of powder coatings for some time. 

Areas where powder coatings are becoming more popular 

include general metals, protective pipe, lawn and garden, 

and sports equipment. 

USA 


Item 95 


11, No.22, 19th July 1999, p.30 

BRITISH BOARD MAKER EYEING US SURF 

TURF 

White E 

Boatshed Ltd. 

Surfers in the UK now have access to what may be the 

best surfboard foam available anywhere, following 18 

months’ hard work by a small Redruth, England-based 

producer, Boatshed. And wave riders in the USA and other 

regions also may be able to use the new PU foam material 

soon if Boatshed’s ideas about franchising the technology, 

plus current talks on a US joint venture, pay off. The 

company’s research and development efforts have led to 

successful development of a super-white, highly 

compression resistant PU foam based on MDI, together 

with a foam-delivery process all under the trade name 

Homeblown - for making surfboard blanks. Another 

feature of the Homeblown technology is that the mould 

design requires less carving in certain areas to achieve 

the final shape. Hence carvers can work more rapidly with 

less waste. Details are given. 




Item 96 


No.10, Aug.1999, p.108-9 

COMPOSITES ON BIKES 

Araldite 2014 adhesive from Ciba Specialty Chemicals 

has been chosen by Ambrosio to bond the two ends of a 

light-alloy profile together to form a bicycle wheel. The 

new Fibra Z Road sole for competition class cycling 

shoes, moulded from glass-reinforced nylon, is designed 

to concentrate the force exerted on the pedal. Zytel 

73G15T, a toughened nylon 6 reinforced with 15% glass 

fibre was chosen. Capron UltraTough nylon 6, with a 

low level of glass fibre reinforcement, has successfully 

met the stringent impact and aesthetic criteria for the 

Thug BMX bike wheel manufactured by Innovations in 

Composites. 

AMBROSIO; PIVA-NORTHWAVE; INNOVATIONS 

IN COMPOSITES INC. 




Item 97 


No.10, Aug.1999, p.88 

OUTER SKIN 

KMV has developed a type of ball for ten-pin bowling in 

which the outer skin is an injection-moulded layer of 

acetal homopolymer. KMV selected a special impactresistant 

grade of Delrin acetal resin supplied by DuPont 

for the outer layer. Ebonite pioneered balls with PU 

veneers which have varying degrees of surface tack, 

elasticity and resilience. ICI Polyurethanes cooperated in 

the first attempts at incorporating plasticisers into the 

isocyanate and polyol mix. These new ingredients add 

attributes that greatly enhance ball performance. 

KMV; EBONITE 

USA 


Item 98 

Journal of Cellular Plastics 

35, No.4, July/Aug.1999, p.289-310 

IMPACTS OF HEMISPHERICAL STRIKERS ON 

POLYSTYRENE BEAD FOAM 

Mills N J; Moosa A S I 

Birmingham,University 



Impact tests with hemispherical strikers give information 

on the ability of padding materials to resist intrusion and 

absorb energy, for instance, for headform impacts in cars 

and the design of bicycle helmets. In many applications 

(packaging, motorcycle helmet liners), the PS or PP bead 

foam used has a density of 50 kg m -3 or less. Higher density 

foams are used in some bicycle helmets. A full analysis of 

the impact would involve the modelling of a material with 

a non-linear constitutive equation under complex stress 

states, the contact geometry and the foam fracture 

mechanics. The indentation and the cracking patterns from 

hemispherical impacts of PS bead foams are investigated, 

together with how these affect the predicted force deflection 

relationship. Foams of varying fracture toughness, bead 

size and density are tested to see which variable has the 

greatest effect on cracking. 17 refs. 




Item 99 


No.1, 1999, p.10 

ZYTEL BOOSTS PERFORMANCE OF CYCLING 

SHOES 

Marabelli F 

DuPont Italiana SpA 

Comfort, absorption of perspiration and minimal wind 

resistance: these used to be the main requirements for 

competition-class cyclists’ clothing. Calzaturificio Piva- 

Northwave, an Italian maker of footwear for various sports, 

is now using Zytel nylon to boost cyclists’ performance in a 

new way. The new Fibra Z Road sole for competition-class 

cycling shoes is moulded from glass-reinforced, toughened 

DuPont Zytel nylon. It is a rigid, lightweight sole designed 

to minimise loss of power exerted on the pedal, but is heavier 

than a conventional sole. The sole is built into several models 

in a new generation of cycling shoes for competition cycling, 

including Team Road, Jet and Sprint, and Arctic, a special 

winter model. The rigid sole enables cyclists to concentrate 

all their strength on turning the pedals, without wasting effort 

on deforming the sole. Details are given. 

CALZATURIFICIO PIVA-NORTHWAVE 




Item 100 

Molding Systems 

57, No.7, July 1999, p.6-7 

SPORTING CHANCE WITH NYLON RESINS 

Karsten Manufacturing achieves exact swing weight in 

the new Ping ISI titanium golf club with club-head plugs 

moulded from LNP’s Thermocomp HSG, a high-specificgravity 

nylon 6 composite. The plugs are all the same 

size, the company just uses different densities of 

Thermocomp HSG to provide the different weights. The 

Crow Blade hockey skate blade features a custom alloy 

steel blade cradled in a holder moulded from Bayer’s 

Durethan BC 402 nylon 6 resin. 

LNP ENGINEERING PLASTICS; BAYER CORP. 

USA 


Item 101 

Polymer Recycling 

3, No.4, 1997/1998, p.311-23 

POLYURETHANES RECYCLING IN EUROPE 

Weigand E; Strobbe G 

ISOPA 

An overview is presented of the recycling of polyurethanes 

in Europe with reference to recycling methods, product 

sectors, and quantities. The recycling of polyurethane with 

respect to individual market segments covers the furniture 

and bedding, building and construction, appliances, 

automotive, and leisure sectors. 18 refs 



Item 102 

Materiaux & Techniques 

87, Nos.1/2, Jan./Feb.1999, p.61 

French 

PVC WATERPROOFING MEMBRANES 

A brief account is given of a project for the renovation of 

a sports stadium in Lyon using Sarnafil S 327 PVC 

waterproofing membranes. 

SARNAFIL SRL; SOPREMA SA 




Item 103 

Adhesives & Sealants Industry 

6, No.5, June/July 1999, p.50-1 

FAST SETTING EPOXY HELPS GIVE ROSE 

BOWL A 20 MILLION DOLLAR FACELIFT 

The Rose Bowl Commission, which owns and operates 

the historic stadium in Pasadena California, recently 

decided on a 20 million US dollars facelift for the facility. 

The updates included the installation of 42,000 customdesigned 

seats to replace traditional bleacher bench 

seating in certain sections of the stadium. Camatic, an 

Australian-based seat-manufacturing company with US 

facilities, was selected to provide the seats. The seating 

manufacturer used Power-Bolt anchors and the Power- 

Fast Epoxy Injection Gel System from Powers Fasteners 

to install the seats. Camatic’s contractor, Ainslie, used 

the Power-Fast epoxy system to anchor two bolts that 

hold the top of the seating standard. Details are given. 

CAMATIC PTY.LTD.; POWERS FASTENERS INC.; 

AINSLIE CO. 

AUSTRALIA; USA 




Item 104 

Urethanes Technology 

16, No.3, June/July 1999, p.26-27 

UK SURFERS BREAK FREE - THANKS TO 

LOCAL FIRM’S NEW SURFBOARD MAKING 

PROCESS 

White E 

Surfers in the UK now have access to what may be the 

best surfboard foam available anywhere, following 18 

months hard slog by a small Redruth, Cornwall-based 

producer, Boatshed. And wave riders in the USA and other 

regions may also be able to use the Cornwall-developed 

PU material soon if Boatshed’s ideas about franchising the 

technology, plus current talks on a joint venture in the USA, 

are successful. Boatshed’s research and development efforts 

have led to the successful development of a super-white, 

highly compression resistant PU foam based on MDI, 

together with a foam delivery process - all trade named 

Homeblown - for making surfboard blanks. Surfboards are 

hand-made from the blanks by craftsmen, and then coated 

with a transparent glass fibre-reinforced polyester resin. 

Details are given. 

BOATSHED LTD. 




Item 105 

Plastverarbeiter 

49, No.10, Oct.1998, p.118-20 

German 

SIGNALS POINT TO GROWTH 

The article is based on a paper by Bayer AG. In 1997 

more than 7 million tonnes of PU were produced. 70% of 

this went into four industries: furniture and mattresses, 

automotive, construction and technical isolation. The 

turnover of Bayer’s PU business in 1997 was DM4 billion, 

an 11% increase over 1996. For the first half of 1998 a 5- 

6% increase in turnover over the first half of 1997 is 

expected. More than a fifth of the total European PU 

consumption takes place in Germany. New developments 

using PU include automotive bumpers with 1.5mm thick 

PU outer layer made using RIM, snowmobile bonnets, 

snowboards and inline skates. 

BAYER AG 

WORLD 


Item 106 


71, No.12, 17th June 1999, p.50-4 

CHAMPIONS OF INNOVATION 

Edited by: Parks E 

Innovative designs for sports equipment are described as 

they compete for the NASDAQ-AMEX Sports Product 

of the Year. Described are a snowboard on wheels for 

grass and asphalt surfaces, a helmet which accommodates 

a ponytail, a stroke coach for baseball, a grip for baseball 

bats which gives more control, and the Skyball raquet 

and ball game. 

USA 


Item 107 


71, No.12, 17th June 1999, p.52-3 

GRAND SLAM DESIGNS 

The design and manufacture is described of baseball bats, 

balls and catch mits designed for younger players. The 

barrel of the bat is stretch blow moulded from PETP, filled 

with air and plugged with PVC. The ball is a compression 

moulded rubber core with polyurethane foam on the 

outside. One type of glove, the Glove Radar incorporates 

a velocity sensor to measure the speed of the ball just 

before it is caught, whilst another, the Lucky Catch Cap, 

can be transformed from a cap to a catch mit. 

ODDZ ON INC.; SPORTS SENSORS INC. 

USA 


Item 108 

Rubber and Plastics News 

28, No.18, 5th April 1999, p.38 

RUBBER KEY IN DOZEN GOLF BALL 

INTRODUCTIONS 

Van Benthuysen R 

This article highlights new golf balls filled with tungsten, 

which cuts down on other fillers and makes the core of 

the balls more rubber-rich. A dozen new balls have been 

introduced this year by Dunlop/Maxfli and by Spalding. 

Background details on both companies are also included. 

SPALDING; DUNLOP/MAXFLI 

USA 


Item 109 


7, No.7, July 1999, p.403-5 

CARBON GOES FOR GOLD IN THE 2000 

OLYMPICS 

Commander M 

When you are sailing in a one-design class of boat, 

finding the extra edge over the competition is hard. 

Even so there are one or two areas where an individual 

sailor can bring technology to bear to his or her 

advantage. In the Laser dinghy, about the only scope 

is with the tiller and tiller extension. It is now becoming 

increasingly common for both these items to be made 

in CFRP rather than the traditional aluminium that is 

sold with every new boat. 

C2 COMPOSITES 






Item 110 

Plastics Engineering 

55, No.6, June 1999, p.7 

INJECTION MOULDED PP BOAT IS 

LAUNCHED 

Walker Bay has designed a multipurpose, affordable boat 

that is easily converted from rowboat to sailboat to 

motorboat. It is light and compact. The boat is injection 

moulded using Pro-fax SG-719 UV-stabilised, 20-melt 

flow, high-impact PP copolymer from Montell 

Polyolefins. 

WALKER BAY BOATS 

USA 


Item 111 

Plastics Engineering 

55, No.6, June 1999, p.7 

REDESIGN BRINGS POOL GAME WITHIN 

CONSUMERS’ REACH 

A swimming pool basketball set was redesigned to reduce 

its volume, weight and price. The entire backboard, 

support system and base are rotomoulded from UV-treated 

LLDPE to eliminate the potential for rust and cracking 

caused by sunlight, while ensuring longevity under severe, 

outdoor conditions. 

MEESE ORBITRON DUNNE CO. 

USA 


Item 112 


43, No.7/8, July/Aug.1999, p.56-7 

TVR AND SCOTT BADER - A WINNING 

COMBINATION 

Riddle C 

Scott Bader Co.Ltd. 

Scott Bader has supplied materials for the manufacture 

of the reinforced plastic bodies of TVR sports cars for 

more than 20 years and the two companies have formed 

a close partnership. All mouldings are produced using 

hand lay-up techniques. Scott Bader’s development of a 

fully sandable gel coat provided TVR with a product 

ideally suited to its processing needs. The Crystic resin 

used to produce bodies, doors, bonnets and boot lids has 

cure characteristics designed to achieve stability rapidly, 

thus preventing distortion. 

TVR ENGINEERING LTD. 




Item 113 

ACS, Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering. 

Vol.76. Conference proceedings. 

San Francisco, Ca., Spring 1997, p.329-30. 012 

LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER FABRIC 

REINFORCED POLYMERIC COMPOSITE 

MATERIALS 

Kim S H; Lim D K; Lee S G; Choi Y Y 

Hanyang,University; Chungnam,National University 

(ACS,Div.of Polymeric Materials Science & Engng.) 

High performance fibre reinforced polymeric 

composite materials provide various advantageous such 

as high strength, high modulus, light weight, 

dimensional stability and weather resistance, and the 

polymeric composites are widely used in aerospace, 

electronics, automotive and sports goods industries. 

Wholly aromatic copolyester liquid crystal polymer 

(LCP) fibres have attractive properties such as high 

modulus, high strength, excellent impact absorption, 

solvent resistance and reasonable processing 

temperature. Polyimides (PIs) are thermo-oxidatively 

and dimensionally stable and retain high mechanical 

strength at temperatures beyond the degradation of 

many other polymers. Short LCP fibre-reinforced 

polyimide composite materials have been studied. 

However, they cannot provide excellent mechanical 

properties caused by breakage of matrix polymer at 

the fibre crossover points. LCP fabric, rather than short 

fibre, is applied to the polymeric composite system in 

order to exert maximum strength of the LCP fibre 

without breakage at the fibre crossover points. The 

physical properties of composite materials are 

dominated by adhesion between interface of the 

reinforcement and matrix polymer. The LCP fabric has 

poor adhesion to polyimide; such poor adhesion 

between them is a major problem for production of high 

strength and high temperature composite materials. 

Emphasis is placed on the improvement of surface 

adhesion. 4 refs. 

KOREA 


Item 114 


42, No.9, Nov.1998, p.48-52 

Italian 

BOAT USERS’ DESIRE FOR GREATNESS 

A review is made of boats featured at the 1998 Genoa 

Boat Show, including models constructed in plastics, 

coated fabrics and glass fibre-reinforced composites and 

large hybrid structures combining rigid and inflatable 

components. Statistics are presented for the Italian boat 

market. 

PLASTIMAR; GOMMONAUTICA; MERCURY 

MARINE; MOTONAUTICA DONATO; YAMAHA; 

ITALBOATS; MAR.CO; MURSIA; ARIMAR; 

PLASTIMER 



EU; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY; 

JAPAN; WESTERN EUROPE; WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL; 

WORLD 


Item 115 

Plastiques Modernes et Elastomeres 

50, No.8, Nov.1998, p.57-9 

French 

FASHION AND MATERIALS: PLASTICS WEAR 

WELL 

Topuz B 

Applications of plastics in fashion and related markets 

including clothing, spectacles, fancy goods and perfume 

packaging are examined. Developments by a number of 

plastics processors and materials suppliers are reviewed. 

VEINIERE; MAZZUCHELLI CELLULOIDE SPA; 

POLYMIX; EMS CHEMIE AG; NOVA CHEMICALS; 

ORPHEL; VERNICOLOR; GUMMIWERK 

KRAIBURG GMBH; CEBE; BOLLE PLASTICS; 

REGE; BERTHET-BONDET 


GERMANY; ITALY; SWITZERLAND; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 116 

High Performance Textiles 

June 1999, p.2 

HEATING ELEMENTS 

A carbon fibre fabric called Gorix is being used to make 

a range of heating elements. The new material is 

inherently conductive and can be heated with low voltage 

electricity. The base fabric, which also contains a 

polymeric component, may be either laminated or 

encapsulated with other materials to produce a range of 

different products, called Infra Therm, for various enduses. 

Gorix fabrics have been incorporated in diving suits 

and used as a heat-treatment to promote healing following 

injuries to animals. 

GORIX LTD. 




Item 117 


71, No.9, 6th May 1999, p.72 

BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is experimenting with 

an energy-dissipating safety barrier on its track. This 

article supplies details of the barrier, which is called the 

polyethylene energy-dissipating system (PEDS). It 

consists of 5-ft-long, half-inch thick overlapping highdensity 

polyethylene impact plates over 16-in. diameter 

cylinders of the same material, all bolted together. 

Theoretically, when a car strikes the impact plate, the 

cylinders compress, reducing the impact against the wall 

behind it. The flexible material then nearly returns to its 

original shape. 

USA 


Item 118 


43, No.5, May 1999, p.22/7 

HOW TO SELECT A CORE MATERIAL 

Dohn G; O’Meara R 

Baltek Corp.; ROM Development Corp. 

The variety and quality of core materials available has 

increased greatly over the last decade. This article explains 

the factors which must be taken into account when 

selecting the best structural core material for an 

application. It considers the subject under the headings: 

core types, how a core works, controlling the density, a 

high-speed power boat, a Corvette sports car, a fast ferry 

boat, a recreational vehicle, and correct core selection. 

DET NORSKE VERITAS; AMERICAN BUREAU OF 

SHIPPING; GENERAL MOTORS; HYDRO TECH 




Item 119 

PPG Connection 

1, No.1, May 1999, p.8-9 

RIDING THE WAVE OF SUCCESS 

Thanks to partnering with PPG Fiber Glass, more 

companies and their products are attracting consumer 

attention and reaching new levels of achievement. PPG 

provided Core Materials with a roving which allowed 

Core to consistently produce hull and deck assemblies 

for personal watercraft that met their customer’s 

requirements. Montell turned to PPG for assistance in 

developing fibre glass reinforcements for Hivalloy 

polyolefin alloy resins. PPG responded with a new type 

of fibre glass that was thinner and coated with a sizing 

that bonded easily with the Hivalloy material. 

PPG INDUSTRIES FIBER GLASS 

USA 


Item 120 


No.771, Oct.1998, p.91/7 

French 

SPORT: THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS IN 

GOOD FORM 

Poyer O 

Elf Atochem SA 

Applications of thermoplastic elastomers in sports 

footwear and clothing and different types of sports 



equipment are reviewed. Properties of importance in such 

applications are examined and compared for PU, etherester 

copolymer and ether-amide copolymer based 

thermoplastic elastomers. 




Item 121 

Composites-French/English 

No.32, March/April 1999, p.19-22 


CARBON FIBRE: A PRODUCT THAT IS 

BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD 

The use of carbon fibre is developing rapidly, with world 

consumption at about 15,000 metric tonnes tpa in 1998. 

Formerly a high tech product, carbon fibre is becoming 

more or less internationally widespread, depending on 

the sector or activity and the geographic area. The market 

for carbon fibre grew rapidly from 1980 to 1992 (more 

than 10% per year), before stagnating somewhat from 

1992 through 1996. It increased again in 1997, varying 

according to the area of activity: aeronautics, sports and 

leisure, industrial applications, or the aerospace industry. 

Some statistics for these markets are presented. 

WORLD 


Item 122 


48, No.4, April 1997, p.98-9 

German 

STRONG IN COMPOSITES 

Products from composite material and reinforced plastic 

are light, durable and fracture-proof. Furthermore, these 

materials open up new dimensions for construction and 

design in many applications because of further special 

properties. The Finnish firm of Exel Oy is counted among 

European market leaders in composite material technology 

and its financial performance is analysed here. It has a 

branch in Duesseldorf, Germany. Based on a broad range 

of composite materials, the product choice covers items 

from tailor-made individual applications to mass-produced 

goods. The main markets are in sport, leisure and industry. 

Detailed discussion of applications and products covers 

plastics reinforced with glass, carbon and aramid fibres, 

combining matrix substances like polyester, vinyl ester or 

epoxide resins, especially in new applications such as radio 

telescopes in the French Alps, building materials, approach 

lighting at airports and household cleaning utensils. 

Properties are examined regarding their ability to withstand 

corrosion, heat, weathering and water. 

EXEL OY 


UNION; FINLAND; FRANCE; GERMANY; SCANDINAVIA; 



Item 123 


48, No.4, April 1997, p.26 

German 

ICE-COLD AND YET ELASTIC 

Topics centre on modified PA 6 and PA 6,6 regarding their 

industrial applications. In recent years individual and 

general safety standards have led to unstoppable, 

continuous research. Correspondingly, the performance 

of materials has to fit the defined properties of end 

products from a wide range of sectors like sports gear, 

games equipment, casings and handles for electrical tools, 

as well as automotive applications such as shock absorbers 

and shock-proof cog wheels. Discussion revolves around 

these applications as well as price, performance and 

developments in elastomers, including examples like 

fixing clips in cars produced by Radicinovacips of 

Chignolo d’Isola, Italy. 

RADICI NOVACIPS 


UNION; GERMANY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 124 

Utech Asia ’99. Conference proceedings. 

Singapore, 16th-18th March 1999, Footwear Paper 8. 

43C6 

FUTURE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES FOR THE 

PU INDUSTRY IN ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR 

PRODUCTION 

Alley L; Nichols G 

Nike Inc. 

(Crain Communications Ltd.) 

PU resins are used in three application areas for athletic 

footwear: midsole foam, soft backing foams and moulded 

plastic components. Of these, midsole foam is the largest 

market for PU resins. Over recent years, the proportion 

of midsoles produced with PU has declined relative to 

other construction technologies. The reasons for this 

decline are discussed. The challenges facing the PU 

industry to regain the lead for athletic footwear midsole 

production offer as many opportunities as they do 

obstacles. 

VIETNAM 


Item 125 

Automotive Engineer 

24, No.4, April 1999, p.68-70. 

RESPONSIBILITY THAT CAN’T BE DUMPED 

Jacobson J 

The problem of waste disposal for scrap tyres is discussed 

in the light of a forthcoming EU directive to be fully 

implemented in 2002 which will ban the landfilling of 

tyres. The many alternative ways of reducing levels of 

scrap tyres by recycling are examined, including marine 



applications, road noise abatement, energy recovery 

schemes, and sports and road surfacing. 



Item 126 


71, No.5, 11th March 1999, p.64-5 

POLYMER BEARINGS KEEP A SPORTS CAR 

LEAN 

Zalud T 

Advantages of polymer bearings from Igus Inc. are 

described, as used in the design of a sports car from Carrol 

Shelby. As well as weight reduction, the self-lubricating 

bearings are able to withstand temperatures and are 

corrosion resistant. Bearing applications on the Shelby 

series 1 are described. 

IGUS INC. 

USA 


Item 127 


89, No.2, Feb. 1999, p.31-4. (Translated from 

Kunststoffe 89 (1999), 2, pp.95-9). 

FIBRE COMPOSITE MOUNTAIN BIKE 

Ziegmann G; Hintermann M 

Clausthal,Technical University; Alusuisse Airex AG 

The design and manufacture is described of a fibre 

composite mountain bike which is given as an example 

of a strategy for the development of highly integrated 

structures. The many possibilities that exist for integrating 

different functions in a structure which is produced in a 

single production operation are discussed in this full 

suspension mountain bike example, which was the result 

of a Eureka project. Consideration is given to the 

requirements of the components and the process, and 

factors determining the selection of the process and 

materials used are examined. 14 refs. 




Item 128 


43, No.3, March 1999, p.38-41 

LARGE TOW CARBON FIBRE BENEFITS 

SPORTING GOODS 

McConnell V 

The sporting goods market is a key beneficiary of the 

cost effectiveness of large tow carbon fibre. In 1998, 

Aldila used large tow carbon fibre in approximately 50% 

of all its golf shafts, versus 30% in 1997. The company’s 

primary fabrication method is roll wrapping, although it 

has had the capability of filament winding its shafts since 

1992. Creative Composites developed prototypes of a 

large tow carbon fibre/epoxy suspension assembly to 

replace the standard metal parts in snowmobiles. 

CREATIVE COMPOSITES; ALDILA INC. 

USA 


Item 129 


43, No.2, Feb.1999, p.36-8 

FLETCHER STRIVES FOR SUCCESS 

THROUGH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 

Gilby J 

Fletcher International Products has evolved to become a 

highly competitive company in the European composite 

sports boat market, selling around 1000 GRP boats a year. 

Diversification outside of boats began with the task of restyling 

the three-wheeled Reliant car which was taken on 

by Fletcher during 1998. The company also supplies GRP 

shower trays to Armitage Shanks and engine covers to JCB. 

FLETCHER INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS PLC 




Item 130 


28, No.16, 8th March 1999, p.29 

AMERICANS SPEND MORE ON SPORTING 

GOODS IN ’98 

US spending on sporting goods equipment rose slightly 

in 1998, but gains in the equipment sector were offset by 

a 6.3% drop in purchases of athletic footwear. Consumer 

spending on athletic footwear fell to 13.8bn US dollars 

last year. Overall spending on sports equipment rose 1.7% 

to 7.1bn US dollars. Sales this year are expected to rise 

about 2.6%. 

USA 


Item 131 


7, No.1, Jan.1999, p.87/90 

GOLF GAME NOT ON PAR? DON’T BLAME 

THE BALL 

Kirkland C 

This article provides a company profile of Wilson Sporting 

Goods Co. of the USA, one of the top three large-volume 

manufacturers of golf balls in the world today. It discusses 

scrap rates, business practices, employee turnover, 

materials, training, and the company’s plant at Humboldt, 

Tennessee. 

WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.; CONAIR 

USA 




Item 132 

Adhesive Technology 

16, No.1, March 1999, p.30-1 

SHOE BUSINESS 

Albus S 

Bayer AG 

The use of adhesives in shoe manufacturing is examined, 

and problems associated with bonding are discussed, with 

particular reference to hydrolysis resistance and heat and 

moisture resistance. Water-based adhesives are claimed 

to offer advantages over solvent-based, hot melt and 

reactive systems, and their use is described. 




Item 133 

Gummibereifung 

72, No.3, March 1996, p.93-5 

German 

NEW SPORTCONTACT IS NOW MOVING INTO 

THE REPLACEMENT MARKET 

Schmidt P 

The Continental test track at Catalunya in Spain is the 

focus for a detailed review of the new ContiSportContact 

tyre. Test results are analysed regarding roadholding in 

wet conditions, cornering and braking. It is compared with 

the earlier CV/CZ 91 which has been on the market since 

1989. The new ContiSportContact is fitted on the new 

vehicle production line by car manufacturers such as 

Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Areas of detailed 

examination include noise reduction, tyre ripple design, 

asymmetrical tread pattern, and shoulder abrasion. 

CONTINENTAL; PORSCHE; AUDI; BMW; 

MERCEDES 


UNION; GERMANY; SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 134 


No.768, May 1998, p.30-3 

French 

STADE DE FRANCE: PLASTICS IN THE FINAL 

Delannoy G 

An examination is made of applications of plastics in the 

Stade de France, a football stadium constructed for the 

1998 World Cup in France. An underground PVC 

geomembrane produced by Alkor Draka was installed as 

a barrier to gases permeating from the site, which was 

previously occupied by a factory operated by Gaz de 

France. PVC sheeting produced by Braas was used in 

construction of the roofing, and the stadium seating was 

injection moulded by Grosfillex in a UV stabilised 

propylene copolymer. 

ALKOR DRAKA; FILLON; SMAC ACIEROID SA; 

GROSFILLEX; BRAAS GMBH 


GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 135 


No.10, Oct.1996, p.570-3 

Italian 

STAR IN THE NORTH-EAST 

Latorre C 

Properties of the Apistar series of rubber-modified 

polyamide compounds produced by API Applicazioni 

Plastiche Industriali of Italy are examined, and applications 

of these materials in the manufacture of ski boots and inline 

roller skates are described. Other materials in the 

Company’s range are reviewed, and turnover, employment 

and production capacity figures are presented. 

API APPLICAZIONI PLASTICHE INDUSTRIALI; 

ALFAPLASTIC 




Item 136 


70, No.9, Sept.1994, p.45-6 

German 

CONTINENTAL AIM TO PROVE COMPETENCE 

WITH RACING TYRES 

Schmidt P 

Truck racing, the only motor sport sponsored by 

Continental, is a way of proving the performance of the 

tyres. The HS 41-5 is constructed from a standard carcass 

and after being used for racing can either be retreaded or 

fitted to a truck for normal road use. 

CONTINENTAL AG 




Item 137 


No.1, Feb. 1999, p.74 

SPORTING TPU 

The properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes which make 

them suitable for use in sports equipment are examined, 

and typical applications are discussed. Their toughness and 

durability make them suitable for use in bladders for balls, 

for bicycle helmets, in fabric laminated products such as 

scuba buoyancy compensators, and as the scuff resistant 

layer for the bottom of inflatable pontoon-style boats. 

JPS ELASTOMERICS CORP. 

USA 




Item 138 


Nov. 1998, p.80-1 

ELASTOMERS AND POLYURETHANES FOR 

FOOTWEAR 

A review is presented of the materials and machinery 

exhibited at Simac 98 for use in the production of 

footwear. In particular, the use of polyurethanes is 

described, and details are also given of the use of 

polyolefin elastomers in footwear foams, industrial and 

outdoor boots and casual and sports shoes, where these 

materials are claimed to offer the highest processing and 

performance value. 




Item 139 

Kunststoff Journal 

29, No.1, Feb.1995, p.28-30 

German 

BRIGHTER SIDE OF RECYCLING 

Examples of products made from recycled plastics are 

reviewed. In addition to the products made 

traditionally from recycled materials, such as park 

benches and noise insulation walls, attention is also 

directed at rain water collectors made from 

polyethylene recyclate, the AEG vacuum cleaner 

made from 40% recycled plastic, gymnasium and 

sports mats made from recycled rubber and plastic, 

and refuse containers made from recycled PE. Articles 

from this journal can be requested for translation by 

subscribers to the Rapra produced International 

Polymer Science and Technology. 




Item 140 


72, No.1, Jan.1996, p.40 

German 

EX-WORLD CHAMPION NIKI LAUDA IS 

RUNNING IN HIGH-TECH TYRES 

Mutz K 

The performance of Goodyear’s Eagle F1 GS Fiorano is 

reviewed as it was used on the Ferrari F 50. The 

cooperation with Ferrari is discussed regarding the 

development of this tyre and fitting it to high-performance 

sports cars as they come off the assembly line. The results 

of tests in Fiorano are examined including details of 

performance on the track, traction, directional stability, 

handling, tread pattern and acceleration. Other aspects 

discussed cover high speed and grip as well as the 

technology transfer from Formula 1 to the development 

of tyres for the road. 

GOODYEAR; FERRARI 


ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 141 


75, No.501, March 1998, p.292-3 

Spanish 

MANUFACTURE OF MONOCOQUE BICYCLE 

FRAMES IN CARBON FIBRE 

Moles E 

Internacional de Composites SA 

An account is given of a project undertaken by 

Internacional de Composites of Spain to develop a carbon 

fibre-reinforced epoxy resin monocoque bicycle frame. 




Item 142 


75, No.501, March 1998, p.271-4 

Spanish 

MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE RIOJA ’95, 

THE BOAT TAKING PART IN SPAIN’S 

CHALLENGE FOR THE AMERICAS CUP: 

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 

VALIDATION 

Cuartero J; Perez A; Lopez M; Castejon L 

Zaragoza,University; Bazan E.N. 

An account is given of the development and validation 

of a finite element model to simulate the mechanical 

behaviour of the Rioja ’95, a boat developed to represent 

Spain in the 1999 Americas Cup. Materials used in the 

construction of the boat include unidirectional and 

bidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced composites, 

honeycomb structures, titanium and steel. 6 refs. 




Item 143 


No.4, April 1998, p.188-93 

Italian 

FLYING BICYCLES 

Modini G; Pinarello F; Borghetto E; Giachi M; Diani R 

Cicli Pinarello Srl 

An examination is made of methods used by Cicli 

Pinarello of Italy in the design and manufacture of carbon 

fibre composite frames for racing bicycles. 1 ref. 

COLNAGO E.,& C.,SRL 






Item 144 

Chemical and Engineering News 

77, No.7, 15th Feb.1999, p.70 

WHAT’S THAT STUFF? 

Reisch M 

Spandex is a long-chain synthetic polymeric fibre. Soft 

and rubbery segments of polyester or polyether polyols 

allow the fibre to stretch up to 600% and then recover its 

original shape. Hard segments, usually urethanes or 

urethane-ureas, impart tensile strength. DuPont’s spandex 

fibre, marketed as Lycra, has annual sales of more than 

1.5bn US dollars. Ladies’ underwear is still the foundation 

of the spandex business, but the fibre now features in 

sports clothing. 

DUPONT CO. 

USA 


Item 145 

Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi 

70, No.9, 1997, p.499-508 

Japanese 

ARTIFICIAL TURF AND RUBBER 

Iwasaki K 

Sumitomo Rubber Industries 

The cushioning effect, slip and ball bounce properties of 

artificial sports surfaces made from artificial plastic turf 

and rubber chips are discussed. 7 refs. Articles from this 

journal can be requested for translation by subscribers to 

the Rapra produced International Polymer Science and 

Technology. 

JAPAN 


Item 146 


No.3, 1998, p.6-8 

JUST STEP IN, PUSH DOWN, AND GO 

Luthi J 

Dolder AG 

Fritschi has developed the easy-to-open, easy-to-close 

Crocodile range of snowboard bindings, using three 

DuPont engineering polymers for almost all of the 

structural components of the binding. For example, the 

hi-back and straps are made of Hytrel thermoplastic 

polyester elastomer, the base is made of Zytel nylon and 

Delrin acetal is used for the two buckles. 

FRITSCHI AG 



Item 147 

ACS Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering. 

Fall Meeting 1998. Volume 79. Conference 


Boston, Mas., 23rd-27th Aug.1998, p.126-7. 012 

ADVANCED THERMOPLASTIC 

VULCANISATES BONDABLE TO NYLON 

Sadeghi R; O’Connell M; Clare D 

DSM Thermoplastic Elastomers Inc. 

Power tools, electronics, appliances and sports goods 

demand soft-touch surfaces for ergonomics, personal 

comfort and styling. In these applications, low hardness 

adhesive thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs) can be 

utilised. TPVs based on PP and EPDM are non-polar in 

nature, which makes their adhesion to polar materials such 

as nylon a considerable challenge. In the past, mechanical 

interlocking was used to produce overmoulded TPVs onto 

the polar substrates used in these applications. Today, a 

new generation of TPVs can bond to nylon 6, 66, nylon 

blends with ABS and/or PP. These materials can be 

processed via insert injection moulding, two-shot injection 

moulding, and coextrusion. These nylon bondable grades 

are based on Sarlink 3000 series technology and offer 

characteristics similar to the 3000 series products. These 

new products offer excellent temperature and fluid 

resistance properties similar to the standard TPVs. The 

concept of a new TPV bondable to nylon offers design 

engineers vast new options in designing combinations of 

soft skin to hard segment applications. 

USA 


Item 148 

ACS Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering. 

Fall Meeting 1998. Volume 79. Conference 


Boston, Mas., 23rd-27th Aug.1998, p.25-6. 012 

POLYMERISATION AND DYNAMIC TESTING 

OF DIFUNCTIONAL ACRYLIC METAL SALTS 

IN A POLYBUTADIENE GOLF BALL CENTRE 

Kennedy T J 

Spalding Sports Worldwide 

Golf ball construction has changed many times during 

the course of history. The cover has changed from leather 

to gutta percha rubber to balata rubber to ionomer blends. 

The golf ball core has changed from goose feathers boiled 

in oil to solid gutta percha to a wound centre to a solid 

rubber centre. Emphasis is placed here on the golf ball 

centre, in particular, the solid golf ball centre and the 

acrylates that form the centre’s crosslinked structure. It 

is well known that the modern solid centre of a golf ball 

is a highly crosslinked, high cis polybutadiene rubber that 

exhibits exceptional rebound at high speed. The co-agent 

that is utilised in the free radical crosslinking of the 

polybutadiene is typically zinc diacrylate. The reaction 

is initiated with heat and a peroxide, such as dicumyl 

peroxide, with reaction exotherm exceeding 400 deg.F. 

Experimental data utilising co-agents other than zinc 

diacrylate are examined. A surfactant/mixing aid is 

incorporated in the reaction to facilitate dispersion of the 

reactants. The material utilised here is zinc stearate, 



selected due to its compatibility with the polybutadiene 

rubber formulation. 6 refs. 

USA 


Item 149 

Rubber World 

219, No.3, Dec.1998, p.33-5 

PU RUBBER OUTSOLES FOR ATHLETIC 

FOOTWEAR 

Ahnemiller J 

TSE Industries Inc. 

This article examines in detail the use of polyurethane 

rubber out-soles in running shoes. Several types of PU 

rubber, each with a slightly different chemical make-up 

that changes its properties, are discussed and compared. 

USA 


Item 150 


6, No.11, Nov.1998, p.47 

DESIGN - NYLON LOST-CORE BIKE WHEEL 

IMPROVES ON TRADITION 

Sloan J 

This article highlights a new development from 

Innovations & Composites Inc. of the USA, which was 

nine years in the making. The “Thug” is a one-piece 

bicycle wheel manufactured from glass-filled nylon using 

the lost-core process, that reportedly out-performs and 

outlasts traditional aluminium and alloy designs. A full 

description is provided. 

ALLIEDSIGNAL PLASTICS; INNOVATIONS IN 

COMPOSITES INC. 

USA 


Item 151 

Benchmark 

Jan.1999, p.25 

CUSTOM CARBON FIBRE BIKES 

A Utah custom bicycle designer is using Algor software 

and cutting the cost of high-performance bicycles. 

Vacuum bag technology is employed to make composite 

rocket motor cases to craft carbon fibres and epoxy into 

customised bike frames which are more comfortable and 

more aerodynamic than traditional steel, aluminium or 

titanium frames. 

COMPOSITE ARTS & SCIENCE 

USA 


Item 152 


13, No.1, Jan.1999, p.5 

SOFTER, STRONGER TURF 

NovaTee, a synthetic tee-off green produced from a 

patented process that mixes silica sand, vermiculite and 

recycled tyre crumb, has been installed all over the world. 

SynTenniCo decided to try NovaTee on a larger surface. 

Field Turf looks, feels and plays like grass. Recently, 

SynTenniCo teamed up with Nike and is now using 10% 

Nike Grind from recycled shoes for the infill in Field Turfinstalled 

fields. 

SYNTENNICO INC. 

USA 


Item 153 

IRC ’98. Conference Proceedings. 

Paris, 12th-14th May 1998, p.311-7. 012 

French 

SPORTS APPLICATIONS OF THERMOPLASTIC 

ELASTOMERS 

Poyet O 

Elf Atochem SA 

(AFICEP; Societe de Chimie Industrielle) 

Applications of thermoplastic elastomers in sports 

equipment and sports footwear and clothing are reviewed. 

Particular attention is paid to ether-amide block 

copolymers, the properties of which are compared with 

those of PU and ether-ester copolymer elastomers. 




Item 154 


7, No.1, Jan.1999, p.10-2 

POLYMERS ON THE PISTE 

Hill S 

Advanced polymer materials being used in skis, boots, 

bindings and other associated equipment have been 

developed to suit the demanding conditions imposed by 

a rapid ride over icy bumps in freezing temperatures. 

DuPont’s Delrin 107, a UV-stabilised acetal resin, is being 

used in one of the latest forms of acrobatic ski. Zytel, 

DuPont’s polyamide 6 and 66 resin, features on 

snowboards, while Hytrel thermoplastic elastomer offers 

very good flexibility at low temperatures for components 

of ski boots and cross-country ski shoes. 

DUPONT ENGINEERING POLYMERS 




Item 155 


No.30, 15th Nov.1998, p.44-6 



CARBON FIBRES FOR FILAMENT-WINDING 

APPLICATIONS 

Carbon fibres are a preferred reinforcement material for 

high-performance filament-wound applications. Fibres 

produced by Tenax Fibres are used in a wide range of 

applications including aeronautics and space, cars and 

sailboard masts. Tenax HTS are high-tenacity carbon 

fibres with a tensile strength of 3,950 MPa, a tensile 

modulus of 238 GPa and elongation at break of 1.5%. 

High-strain carbon fibres, Tenax UTS, have a tensile 

strength of 4,800 MPa, a tensile modulus of 240 GPa and 

an elongation at break of 2.0%. 

TENAX FIBERS GMBH & CO.KG 




Item 156 


No.30, 15th Nov.1998, p.20-1 

TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE 

COMPOSITES INDUSTRY IN TAIWAN 

As regards raw material production in Taiwan, there are 

four glass fibre manufacturers with a total capacity of 

141,000 t/y and 14 polyester companies with a total 

capacity of 200,000 t/y. The capacity of the only carbon 

fibre manufacturer is 500 t/y. These raw materials meet 

the local market demand, except for carbon fibre. The 

total GRP/UP production in Taiwan was 45,400 tons in 

1997. The main applications are yachts, fishing boats, 

bathtubs, panels, cooling towers, tanks and sporting 

goods. 

TAIWAN 


Item 157 

Tire Business 

16, No.15, 26th Oct.1998, p.43 

SEARS ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES TO 

RECYCLE 

Fedchenko V 

Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s Automotive Group has 

introduced a programme called Recycling Old Tires Aids 

the Environment (ROTATE). The programme is designed 

to encourage support within communities to pick up scrap 

tyres and recycle them. Crumb rubber produced from 

scrap tyres has been used to pave a basketball court and 

refurbish playgrounds. 

SEARS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 

USA 


Item 158 

Gummi Fasern Kunststoffe 

49, No.8, 1996, p.646-51 

German 

FIBRE-REINFORCED COMPOSITES IN 

LEISURE PRODUCTS 

Heitz E 

The authors discuss the market potential for bicycles 

incorporating fibre-reinforced plastics components, and 

describe the design and production by resin transfer 

moulding of bicycle frames, brakes and other components 

from polyester resins, epoxy-vinyl ester resins and 

methacrylates. Articles from this journal can be requested 

for translation by subscribers to the Rapra produced 

International Polymer Science and Technology. 




Item 159 


69, No.4, 1996, p.254-264 

Japanese 

GOLF BALLS 

Hamada A 

Sumitomo Rubber Industries 

The history of the golf ball, its design and flight 

characteristics are discussed. A comparison of the twopiece 

windings and modern types of golf balls is given. 

Articles from this journal can be requested for translation 

by subscribers to the Rapra produced International 


JAPAN 


Item 160 


28, No.6, 19th.Oct.1998, p.10 

TYRES HELP IN-LINE SKATERS GO OFF ROAD 

Boyd J 

This article supplies details of Rollerblade Inc’s Coyote 

all-terrain in-line skate, which innovatively, features three 

six-inch pneumatic rubber tyres, rather than the normal, 

hard polyurethane wheels. The shock absorption and 

traction of the pneumatic tyres enable skaters to go ‘offroad’, 

on a variety of surfaces such as dirt paths, wet 

surfaces, gravel etc. The innovation gives the skate a 

significant competitive edge. 

ROLLERBLADE INC. 

USA 


Item 161 

Materials & Design 

19, Nos.5/6, Dec.1998, p.197-204 

THE MODERN OLYMPIC VAULTING POLE 

Burgess S C 

Bristol,University 



A vaulting pole is a combined pivot and energy storage 

device that enables top pole vaulters to reach heights of 

over 6 m. It is described how modern Olympic poles are 

highly optimised in terms of material selection and 

geometry. The use of modern techniques in composite 

production to enable special design features such as 

tapered wall thickness and initially bent poles is also 

discussed. 4 refs. 




Item 162 

Plastics and Rubber Asia 

13, No.82, Oct.1998, PU Asia, p.15, contained within 

13, No. 82, Oct 1998 

SILVER SEATING SITS PRETTY 

Sulaiman W 

Silver Seating wants to make seats for new Honda cars 

being made soon in Guangzhou. The company is confident 

that it can get the contract, as it has been making motor 

cycle seats for Honda for the last 12 years. Honda will 

produce its best selling Civic and City models at the 

Guangzhou plant. It is expected to be ready by the end of 

the year and will be fully operational early 1998. Silver 

Seating makes a wide variety of motor cycle, as well as 

bicycle seats for the local market. Most of its production 

is for the Honda motor cycle joint venture company, 

Wuyang-Honda, to which it supplies over half of its daily 

output of 2,000 seats. If Silver Seating wins the Honda 

contract it will invest at least RMB40 million to buy new 

lines as its facility is not equipped with car seat making 

equipment. Some company information is presented. 

SILVER SEATING; HONDA MOTOR CO.LTD.; 

WUYANG-HONDA 

CHINA 


inadequacy as a light stabiliser, the recycling of battery 

cases into sports stadium seats and the improvement of 

mixed plastics. Illustrations may be found in Kunststoffe, 

85, No.1, 1995, p.81/4. 


SOUTH AFRICA; SWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 164 

Proceedings of the International Rubber Forum 1994. 

Conference proceedings. 

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 16th-27th May 1994, p.295-7. 

1741-41C1 

LATEX ALLERGIES AND THE RUBBER 

INDUSTRY 

Cacioli P 

Ansell Medical (Pvt.)Ltd. 

(IRSG) 

The most widely discussed topic among the manufacturers 

of NR latex medical products today is latex allergy. This 

has had a significant impact on the medical rubber goods 

industry in recent times and focus is now beginning to 

turn on more commonplace items such as balloons, rubber 

mats, tyres, etc. Worldwide rubber production from the 

rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis has reached six million tpa. 

Besides various medical uses, such as surgical gloves, 

drainage tubes and dental inserts an increasing number 

of everyday products varying from condoms to tyres, to 

sports gear and car upholstery are made from NR. It is 

estimated that approximately 1% of the general population 

and 5-10% of healthcare professionals are latex sensitive. 

The prevalence of latex sensitivity among healthcare 

workers may be increasing because of the growing use of 

latex gloves to decrease the risk of AIDS transmission. 


ASIA 


Item 163 


85, No.1, Jan.1995, p.24-5 

INCREASING THE SERVICE LIFE OF 

MOULDINGS CONTAINING RECYCLATE 

Pfaendner R; Herbst H; Hoffmann K; Klingert B; Sitek 

F; Cooper T 

The use of plastics recyclate for long-term applications 

generally requires the addition of stabilisers to the 

material, in order to achieve the properties required for 

the second application. In addition to processing and heat 

stabilisation, light stabilisation in particular has to be 

considered. Hindered amine light stabiliser (HALS) 

compounds or combinations of HALS compounds with 

light stabilisers have proved to be particularly suitable 

for light stabilisation of recyclates. Aspects examined 

include packaging recyclate for outdoor applications, 

recyclate from film composites, carbon black’s 

Item 165 


85, No.3, March 1995, p.25-6 

BICYCLE FRAMES MADE BY FILAMENT 

WINDING USING THERMOPLASTIC 

MATRICES 

Funck R; Hausmann J 

Kaiserslautern,University 

Details are given of a study carried out at the Institute for 

Composite Materials of the University of Kaiserlautern, 

which uses the filament winding process using 

thermoplastics in the manufacture of a bicycle frame. 

Advantages of the process are described as compared to 

using thermosets. Use is made of unidirectional fibrereinforced 

pre-impregnated tapes, hybrid fibres and 

powder impregnated filaments. The materials supplied 

on spools are melted up with the help of a heat source 

and deposited on a winding mandrel. Problems associated 



with the winding process have been overcome by the 

development of the ‘steel belt’ method which is claimed 

to yield surfaces with high quality finish and improved 

layer consolidation. The technique is used to produce a 

set of tubes from nylon 6 reinforced with 55% carbon 

fibre. 2 refs. 




Item 166 

Plastiques Modernes et Elastomeres 

49, No.8, Nov.1997, p.100-3 

French 

SPORTS AND LEISURE: FROM THE SKATE TO 

THE SNOWBOARD 

Topuz B 

Applications of plastics in sports equipment including 

roller skates, snowboards, skis and ski boots are examined. 

The world market for such equipment is reviewed, and 

turnover figures are presented for French sports equipment 

manufacturers Rossignol and Salomon. 

ROSSIGNOL; SALOMON SA; BENETTON 

SPORTSYSTEM; ADIDAS AG; ELF ATOCHEM SA; 

BAYER AG; DECATHLON SA; DU PONT DE 

NEMOURS E.I.,& CO.INC.; DYNASTAR; NORDICA 

SPA 


GERMANY; ITALY; USA; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 167 


Nos.11/12, Nov./Dec.1997, p.720-5 

Italian 

VACUUM INFUSION FOR BOAT HULLS 

Modini G 

An account is given of the Seemann Composites resin 

infusion moulding process and its use by Franchini 

Yachts of Italy and North End Composites of the USA 

in the manufacture of composite boat hulls. This 

technology, owned by Scrimp Systems, uses a high 

vacuum to saturate or infuse a dry lay-up of long glass 

fibres with a liquid unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester 

or epoxy resin which can be cured at room 

temperature, followed by lamination on a wooden or 

glass fibre-reinforced plastics mould of the type used 

in hand lay-up. 

FRANCHINI YACHTS; SCRIMP SYSTEMS LLC; 

ADVANCED COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY 

CONSORTIUM; NORTH END COMPOSITES; 

SEEMANN COMPOSITES; DOW CHEMICAL CO.; 

AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS BV 


NETHERLANDS; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 168 

Plast’ 21 

No.65, Nov.1997, p.45-6 

Spanish 

LEISURE: A POWERFUL MARKET FOR 

PLASTICS 

Applications of plastics in toys and sports equipment are 

examined, and economic trends in these markets are 

reviewed. Statistics are presented for the consumption of 

plastics in these applications in Spain in 1996. 

AIJU; INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DEL JUGUETE; 

ASOCIACION ESPANOLA DE FABRICANTES DE 

JUGUETES; ANAIP; CENTRO ESPANOL DE 

PLASTICOS 




Item 169 

BioCycle Journal of Composting & Recycling 

39, No.10, Oct. 1998, p.52-3 

SHREDDED TIRE MARKET OPTIONS 

Gray K 

Applications for shredded scrap tyres in the US are 

described with reference to specific projects. These 

include rubberised asphalt, civil engineering, soil 

amendment, playground surfacing and road construction. 

The evolution of equipment to cope with a growth in 

applications for scrap tyres is also briefly discussed. 

USA 


Item 170 


10, No.30, 21st Sept.1998, p.26 

SURFBOARD MAKERS SEEKING PLASTIC 

SOLUTIONS 

Renstrom R 

Rusty Surfboards, a producer of 10,000 surfboards/year, 

wants resin makers to upgrade their offerings to the niche 

industry. The company is seeking the latest technology 

resins that are easy to work with, and offer better clarity 

and strength. It claims that large resin companies are 

reluctant to get involved with Hexcel’s fabrics group in 

Austin, Texas, aggressive in developing a new glass fibre 

cloth for surfboards. After twenty years of using the same 

fabric, a much stronger weave has been developed that 

ensures that the resins did not impregnate the cloth quite 

as much. As a result, boards are said to be lighter and 

stronger, and the cloth is having a huge impact on the 

surfboard industry. Another surfboard maker, Surf 

Technologies, is using a licensed European sailboard 

technology that involves vacuum forming one skin and 

pressure forming the other. The high technology sandwich 

concept originated in the aircraft industry. Brief details 

are presented. 



RUSTY SURFBOARDS; SURF TECHNOLOGIES; 

FUR CAT SURFBOARDS 

USA 


Item 171 


6, No.10, Oct. 1998, p.96-7 

SPORTS AND RECREATION 

Sloan J 

The US sports and recreational market is examined in terms 

of the opportunities for injection moulders. Statistics are 

included of sales in the industry, growth rates and forecasts. 

Market shares by material show that polypropylene leads 

the way as the material most commonly used to mould 

products for the sports and recreation market. Trends in 

the industry include the need for lightweight, to reduce 

costs, and produce more durable thermoplastic injection 

moulded parts as replacements for metals. 

USA 


Item 172 


28, No.4, 21st Sept.1998, p.28/33 

IMPACT OF RUBBER SURFACES INCREASES 

Moore M 

The rubber athletic surface market is hard to quantify. 

However, one thing is certain: business is booming. No 

industry association issues reports or keeps statistics on 

production, and very few surfacing manufacturers will 

divulge their financial or production figures. The companies 

themselves, and their products and markets, are so different 

that they are hard to compare, although the technologies fall 

into several basic categories, including: poured-in-place 

rubberised pavements, like those produced by No Fault 

Industries, Mondo America and Surface America; rubber 

tiles and rolls, such as those manufactured by the Surfacing 

Products Division of Carlisle Tire & Rubber; soil 

amendments that bond turf and rubber, made by companies 

like American Rubber Technologies; rubber artificial turfs, 

supplied by SafTurf International and DuraTurf, among 

others; and crumb rubber top dressing for turf protection, 

such as that made by JaiTire Industries. The markets these 

companies serve also resist comparison, covering virtually 

every field of athletic endeavour - running tracks, 

gymnasiums and fitness facilities, skating and hockey rinks, 

golf courses, indoor and outdoor athletic fields, children’s 

playgrounds and polo and equestrian fields. Details are given. 

USA 


Item 173 


28, No.4, 21st Sept.1998, p.26-7 

SCUBA SALES BUOYED BY AVID DIVERS 

Wilson E 

Americans spend a lot of time underwater - keeping scuba 

diving equipment makers and their rubber materials 

suppliers in business. US sales of diving-related goods 

made up an estimated 640 million US dollars industry in 

1997, according to Gallup Leisure Trends Group. 

Equipment accounted for 271 million US dollars of that 

amount, and more than half of equipment sales are rubberrelated, 

including wet suits, fins, buoyancy devices and 

masks, market data show. The primary materials used are 

polychloroprene and silicone rubbers. While participation 

in diving is not growing particularly fast, the diving 

community is seeing the sport’s popularity begin to 

broaden and can expect that to continue, says Gallup. 

Viewed another way, more than 14 million US adults - 

about 8% of the adult population - profess to be active 

participants in the sport. Some statistics are presented. 

GALLUP LEISURE TRENDS GROUP 

USA 


Item 174 


28, No.4, 21st Sept.1998, p.20-1 

TITANIUM: TENNIS BALLS CAN REAP 

BENEFITS 

Dawson B 

Titanium, the ‘metal of the millennium’ that has taken 

sporting goods manufacturing by storm is now appearing 

in another product - tennis balls. Already used in golf 

clubs, tennis rackets and golf balls for improved product 

durability and power, titanium is being added to the rubber 

compound mixture of selected new lines of tennis balls 

for the same reason. The two leaders in the North 

American tennis ball market, Penn Racquet Sports and 

Wilson Sporting Goods, are introducing their own 

titanium balls this autumn. Phoenix-based Penn, which 

boats more than a 50% market share of tennis balls in 

North America, began advertising the Penn Championship 

Titanium this month. The product should reach store 

shelves by October. Wilson, which has a 40% share of 

the market, began selling the Wilson Titanium Tennis Ball 

in early September. Details are given. 

PENN RACQUET SPORTS; WILSON SPORTING 

GOODS CO. 

USA 


Item 175 


28, No.4, 21st Sept.1998, p.13/35 

RUBBER IN SPORTS 

Davis B 

On a wholesale basis, sports equipment is the USA in 

1997 accounted for 17.1 billion US dollars in sales - not 

including footwear. By comparison, tyre sales were about 



20 billion US dollars. Sales of athletic footwear reached 

9.5 billion US dollars, which brings the total value of 

sports-related ‘hardware’ to almost 30 billion US dollars, 

according to the US Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ 

Association. Some statistics are noted. 

US,SPORTING GOODS MANUFACTURERS’ASSN. 

USA 


Item 176 

Fussboden Zeitung 

No.9, Oct.1994, p.75-88 

German 

WITH OR WITHOUT GRANULES 

Bruhn J 

A market survey of 15 synthetic tennis court materials, 

made by 5 manufacturers is given. The nature of the 

polymers used and of the base fabric, is given in each 

case with the manufacturing process, the weight, the 

width, the colour, and whether or not granulate is included. 

KLW AG; DURA; FULDA GMBH; GIRLOON; 

TARKETT PEGULAN AG 




Item 177 

Elastomery 

1, No.6, 1997, p.27-36 

Polish 

MATERIAL RECYCLING OF USED TYRES AND 

RUBBER WASTE 

Capelle G 

Hermann Berstorff Maschinenbau GmbH 

The recycling of used tyres is still of limited industrial 

importance compared with thermal utilisation and dumping 

on waste sites. This is probably a result of the limited 

possibilities for using the recycled products during the 

original product cycle. Products containing fillers of recycled 

rubber products are discussed, including insulation materials, 

flooring for sports grounds and technical rubber articles of 

high volume for low physical stresses. Rubber pellets and 

powder produced by the warm grinding process with a large 

specific surface are shown to represent a product of high 

value. Latex-coating processes are also considered. 




Item 178 


88, No.9, Sept.1998, p.35-7,1494-6 

German; English 

WELL PADDED. INJECTION MOULDINGS 

FROM CROSSLINKED POLYOLEFIN 

ELASTOMER FOAMS 

Diegritz W 

DuPont Dow Elastomers (Deutschland) 

The use of injection-moulded crosslinked polyolefin 

thermoplastic elastomer foams in the manufacture of 

footwear components and of padding and lining of 

sports items is discussed. The advantages of this 

material over the traditionally-used EVA are 

discussed, with emphasis on low weight, high 

elasticity, long service life and comfort-enhancing 

damping properties. 




Item 179 

Enercomp ’95 International Conference on Composite 

Materials and Energy. Conference proceedings. 

Montreal, Canada, 8th-10th May 1995, p.765-72. 627- 

63Ene 

DESIGN, FABRICATION AND STRUCTURAL 

EVALUATION OF COMPOSITE VEHICLES IN A 

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT 

O’Toole B J 

Nevada,University 

(Canadian Association for Composite Structures & 

Materials) 

Composite vehicle design, including bicycles and small 

motorised vehicles, has been incorporated into several 

classes at the University of Nevada. Motivation for 

vehicle design in the courses was partially driven by 

student interest in regional design competitions. The 

design, fabrication and evaluation of a complex 

composite structure is very difficult to complete in the 

span of about nine months, considering that most 

students commence with no previous knowledge of 

composite materials. An interdisciplinary team 

approach to design and fabrication is required to 

complete the projects. Three key elements of the teams 

are an aerodynamics analysis group, an aerodynamic 

structures group and a frame group. Two different 

methods are used to fabricate prototype structural 

members made with plain weave carbon fabrics and 

room temperature curing epoxy resins. Initial stress 

analysis using a mechanics of materials approach and 

one-dimensional finite element analysis is used which 

does not include some geometry details such as cutouts 

and inserts. Extra material is added in these areas to 

account for the rough analysis. Strain is measured 

experimentally in several places on the structure and 

compared to the initial stress analysis. More detailed 

stress analysis is conducted using three-dimensional 

FEA and the structure is redesigned to reduce its 

weight. Each year, a new team modifies the previous 

design and attempts to make improvements on the 

fabrication process. 10 refs. 

USA 




Item 180 

Materials Challenge - Diversification and the Future. 

Volume 40: Book 1. Symposium proceedings. 

Anaheim, Ca., 8th-11th May 1995, p.985-8. 627 

MAKE OR BUY DECISIONS FOR HIGH 

VOLUME COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND 

COMPONENT MANUFACTURE 

Walker R G 

Plastic Developments Ltd. 

(SAMPE) 

There is increasing worldwide demand and competition 

for high volume and quality composite materials and 

components for sports goods. Many manufacturers 

involved in the chain of converting fibres and resins into 

finished components still use labour and skill-intensive 

old established processes and equipment more suited to 

the low volume aerospace industry. To increase output, 

more of the same people and equipment are brought in to 

increase market share at lower prices. Without process 

improvement geared to high volume, the result can be 

reduced control, quality, reliability, and margins. A 

turnaround is forecast. Manufacturers who reduce labour 

and skill levels by investing in automated process 

equipment suited to high volume and quality will be the 

winners. This will enable successful make-or-buy 

investment decisions involving forward and backward 

integration of the production process. These 

manufacturers will increase market share with consistent 

high quality and margins. Manufacturers that remain with 

cheap labour-intensive slower equipment will lose out. 

Automated manufacture of high volume and quality sports 

goods can be located in the market where there is major 

volume demand. Examples of turnkey graphite UD 

prepreg machines, automated golf blank manufacture and 

automated golf shaft paint finishing illustrate this 

inevitable change. 2 refs. 




Item 181 




TEXTILE PREFORMS FROM 

THERMOPLASTIC TOWPREGS FOR THE 

MANUFACTURE OF COMPOSITE SPORTING 

GOODS 

Holty D W; Greene T L 

Custom Composite Materials Inc. 

(SAMPE) 

Thermoplastic towpregs made by electrostatic powder 

coating are useful for the manufacture of textile preforms. 

These towpregs can be designed with a high, uniform resin 

content. They possess good drape and flexibility; thus 

they are ideally suited for processing into braids, woven 

fabrics and filament wound preforms. Graphite golf shafts, 

tennis racquets, carbon fibre bicycle tubes and 

loudspeaker cones are just a few examples of sports/ 

recreation articles manufactured by moulding and 

consolidating parts from thermoplastic textile preforms. 

These processes are proving to be economical, and in 

addition, the thermoplastic matrix often delivers superior 

performance in comparison to the conventional thermoset 

composites. 11 refs. 

USA 


Item 182 




COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS 

FOR COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH 

CONTINUOUS AND CHOPPED HIGH- 

PERFORMANCE FIBRES 

Burg M; Rasmussen B 

Composite Market Reports Inc.; BMR Associates 

(SAMPE) 

1995 has become another year of decision for 

manufacturers of carbon and aramid fibres. Several new 

non-aerospace applications, which were in the early 

development phase two or three years ago, have either 

entered or are now approaching volume production. 

Market summaries are presented for such applications as 

hybrid composite risers for offshore oil production, new 

and retrofit bridge components to improve seismic 

damage resistance, injection moulded industrial 

components, alternate power systems for vehicles, newdesign 

easy-access lightweight buses, rail freight and 

passenger cars, and various marine applications. Data are 

also presented on the sports equipment likely to use highperformance 

fibres in sizable quantities during the next 

ten years. Those current and new applications which are 

most likely to grow and eventually to exceed current 

reinforcement fibre production capacities are identified. 

Continued market growth will therefore require 

construction of large new fibre production plants. 

USA 


Item 183 




CARBON FIBRE-REINFORCED COMPOSITES: 

ENTERING A NEW ERA 

Fanter D L; Strandburg D B; Dry A C 

Zoltek Corp. 

(SAMPE) 

Between 1960 and 1980, the technology of carbon fibrereinforced 

composites (CFRCs) was driven by aerospace 

applications. As a result, the costs of CFRCs were 



prohibitive for all but the most critical strength/weight 

applications. Costs have since decreased and carbon 

fibre applications have expanded into other industries 

such as sporting goods and motor racing where the 

strength/weight properties provide significant 

competitive advantage. New methods for producing 

economical, large carbon fibre tows, accompanied by 

the development of improved fabrication techniques will 

continue to drive costs lower, further expanding the 

markets for CFRCs. The automotive industry, challenged 

to produce the ‘supercar’ with 40% lower weight and 

capable of 80 mpg, is evaluating CFRC applications 

throughout the vehicle, including bodies, powerplants, 

chassis, flywheels and pressurised fuel cylinders. Carbon 

fibre composite confined concrete columns improve 

compression strength and shear resistance, making 

bridges and overpasses inherently earthquake-resistant. 

Improved cost efficient carbon fibre production methods 

coupled with low-cost composite fabrication technology 

will continue to reduce the costs of CFRCs and usher in 

the new era. Carbon fibre-reinforced composites will 

no longer be viewed as cost-prohibitive but costeffective, 

resulting in explosive growth in new 

applications as well as deeper penetration of existing 

markets. 4 refs. 

USA 


Item 184 

Tyretech ’98. Conference proceedings. 

London, 15th-16th June 1998, paper 11. 6T1 

BRIDGESTONE AS A SUPPLIER OF FORMULA 

ONE TYRES 

Carruthers D 

Bridgestone/Firestone Europe SA 

(Rapra Technology Ltd.; European Rubber Journal) 

A major milestone in the development of Bridgestone was 

in 1986, when Porsche adopted Bridgestone RE 71 ultrahigh 

performance tyres as original equipment for its 

limited edition 959 sports car, which at that time was the 

world’s fastest production car. Then in 1988, Bridgestone 

acquired the Firestone group, the second largest US tyre 

manufacturer, for 2.6 billion US dollars. More recently, 

in 1990, the European headquarters were established in 

Brussels in order to manage and develop markets in both 

Western and Eastern Europe. In 1997 Bridgestone first 

entered Formula One racing. Some company information 

is presented, with emphasis on the company’s 

development of Formula One tyres. 

BELGIUM; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; 



Item 185 


No.28, 15th Aug-30th Sept.1998, p.14-6 

CARBON REVOLUTION FOR TIME’S FORKS 

The French company, Time Sport International, 

specialises in the design and manufacture of highperformance 

cycling equipment. The company is to launch 

a new line of comfortable and extremely stiff carbonbased 

forks that weigh under 400 grams. The article 

supplies comprehensive details of the manufacture, 

properties and benefits of the new forks, which are made 

from Vectran, a synthetic material developed by Hoechst, 

combined with carbon fibres. This lightweight composite 

material exhibits high flexibility and performance levels 

as well as outstanding impact and vibration absorbing 

capabilities. 

TIME SPORT INTERNATIONAL 




Item 186 

High Performance Plastics 

Sept.1998, p.8-9 

MICROSPHERE-FILLED PU SKIN FOR WORLD 

CUP FOOTBALLS 

This article highlights a new development by sports 

company Adidas AG, and Bayer AG of Germany. They 

have developed a new skin for footballs, encorporating a 

syntactic foam produced by mixing a polyurethane 

compound with millions of tin gas-filled microspheres, 

which produce high elastic recovery when the footballs 

are kicked. Full details are given. 

BAYER AG; ADIDAS AG 




Item 187 


88, No.8, 1998, p.30-1 

HARD BUT TOUGH 

The application of a range of materials from Theodor 

Bergmann Kunststoffwerk in sports equipment 

applications is described with brief product details relating 

to their suitability for the application. Bergamid A 70 TMyF, 

a high impact nylon 66 is used for snow shoes, with 

Bergaflex SEBS on the sole; Bergamid B 70 TM-Z, nylon 

6 with a modifier for cold impact resistance, is used for 

ice skate blades, and the eyelet of a lightweight tennis 

racquet uses a special impact-modified nylon 66, 

Bergamid A 70 TM-yF. 

BERGMANN T.,KUNSTSTOFFWERK 




Item 188 

SAMPE Journal 

34, No.4, July/Aug. 1998, p.46-50 



DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A 

COMPOSITE MONOCOQUE AIRFOIL ROAD 

RACING BICYCLE FRAME 

Fried J 

AFH Composites Ltd. 

The design is described of a monocoque airfoil road racing 

bike, developed by AFH Composites of Finland. It is 

designed to replace conventional triangular metal frames 

in general use. Design objectives are outlined, and include 

the need for a lightweight, aerodynamic bike with 

appropriate stiffness for efficient sprinting, standard allround 

road racing geometry, ergonomics, aesthetics, and 

price competitive with the best metal racing frames. The 

AFH carbon fibre/epoxy composite monocoque frame is 

made by bonding together three main components 

consisting of two halves and a special V-section that forms 

the inside part of the chainstays. All composite parts are 

made by hand lay-up and vacuum bag technology is used 

in the laminating process. 

FINLAND; SCANDINAVIA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 189 

Ends Report 

No.283, Aug.1998, p.34 

NIKE TO PHASE OUT PVC 

Nike is to phase out PVC from its new sportwear products 

throughout its global operations. The reasons why the 

company is taking a “precautionary approach” with PVC 

include the carcinogenicity of VCM, the use of cadmium 

and lead stabilisers, dioxin emissions, concern of phthalate 

DEHP and the inability to recycle synthetic leathers 

containing PVC. The main uses of PVC in footwear are 

in coated textiles and plastisol. 

NIKE INC. 

USA 


Item 190 

BioCycle Journal of Composting & Recycling 

39, No.1, Jan.1998, p.54-5 

RECYCLED FLOORING BOUNCES TOWARDS 

A MARKET 

Touart A P 

A prototype flooring made in part from recycled tyre rubber 

and old tennis shoes was installed in 1996 at Puget Sound 

Christian College. The flooring, trademarked as SmartCells, 

is composed of 40% rubber particles and ground athletic 

shoes with an overlay of urethane. The synthetic flooring 

reportedly provides greater shock absorption and enhanced 

performance. The floor is the outcome of ten years of R&D 

by Seamless Attenuation Technologies. 

SEAMLESS ATTENUATING TECHNOLOGIES INC. 

USA 


Item 191 


70, No.14, 6th Aug.1998, p.84-5 

ADDING A SOFT TOUCH WITH NYLON- 

BONDABLE ELASTOMERS 

AlliedSignal Engineering Plastics Inc.; Advanced 

Elastomer Systems LP 

For years engineers have taken advantage of the chemical 

compatibility of thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs) and 

PP to mould components with rigid and soft sections. A 

new TPV chemistry now adds the ability to bond TPV to 

nylon, giving engineers new options for adding a soft 

touch, flexibility and scaling performance to products that 

demand higher strength such as sporting goods, 

automotive components, and appliance knobs and 

handles. While PP has a good balance of qualities, nylons 

improve performance by offering high-temperature 

resistance, stiffness, strength, toughness, and chemical 

and abrasion resistance. The strong bond created between 

TPVs and nylon substrates eliminates the need for 

mechanical interlocks and primers or adhesives. 

Manufacturers apply soft-touch elastomers to nylon 

substrates using insert moulding, two-shot injection 

moulding or coextrusion. Details are given. 

USA 


Item 192 

Popular Plastics and Packaging 

43, No.3, March 1998, p.67-9 

POLYURETHANE ALL WEATHER SPORTS AND 

SAFETY SURFACES 

Sen A 

Synthetic sports pitches are widely replacing traditional 

gravel, sand and shale surfaces. In many parts of the 

world, leisure centres and clubs have installed their own 

floodlit sports facilities for mini-football, netball, tennis, 

hockey and many other sports activities. These synthetic 

sports pitches reduce the number of accidents and are 

usable in all types of weather conditions. In the UK, 

irrespective of the type of surface used, the installation 

of playground surfaces must meet the requirements of 

BS 5696. In the USA, the safety surfacing system must 

comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), 

by providing the handicapped with a smooth, cushioned 

access route to buildings and equipment. The 

International Amateur Athletics Association has also laid 

down stringent specifications for durability, strength and 

safety. Used and discarded vehicle tyres form one part 

of the product, the other being a single component 

medium viscosity PU prepolymer based on MDI. Used 

tyres are preferred in place of EPDM, SBR or NR to 

keep costs low. Spent tyres in the form of regrind, shreds 

and buffings or mixes of various types and grades of 

mainly recycled rubber are used. However, depending 

on the use of the surface, virgin materials may be blended 

with recycled rubber, while for professional sports 



surfaces EPDM, SBR/NR blends and NBR is preferred. 

Details are given 

INDIA 


Item 193 

Chemical Marketing Reporter 

254, No.8, 24th Aug.1998, p.FR22/4 

SMOOTHING THE LANDING IN ADVANCED 

COMPOSITES 

Tullo A 

The anticipated downturn in commercial aircraft is 

causing advanced composite makers to look to nonaerospace 

applications, such as sporting goods, satellite 

materials, electronics and telecommunications, to help 

level the cyclicality of aerospace applications. Cytec 

became the largest US producer of both composite 

prepregs and aerospace adhesives last year with its 

purchase of Fiberite’s prepreg business. The US prepreg 

tape market is estimated at 1.4bn US dollars and is 

growing at between 7 and 9%. 

USA 


Item 194 

Journal of Materials Science.Materials in Medicine 

9, No.8, Aug.1998, p.457-62 

APPLICATION OF LAMINATES TO 

MOUTHGUARDS: FINITE ELEMENT 

ANALYSIS 

Ho Sung Kim; Mathieu K 

Newcastle,University 

A finite element model comprising a flat-ended indentor 

and disc representing a colliding object and mouthguard 

materials, respectively, was developed to study stress 

distribution and impact force in laminates. The disc 

consisted of two layers and its top layer was in contact 

with the indentor. The effects of modulus and volume 

fraction on stress distribution and force transmitted in 

laminates were studied using the finite element model 

for a collision in contact sports such as boxing or football. 

The material used for the test was ethylene-vinyl acetate 

copolymer. 12 refs. 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 195 


28, No.5, May 1998, p.56/61 

SOFT TPE’S ARE OPTIMIZED FOR 

EXPANDING ROLES IN CONSUMER GOODS 

Grande J A 

This article examines the trend by manufacturers to use 

innovative soft (i.e. low-durometer) thermoplastic 

elastomers (TPE’s) to provide improved tactile 

characteristics, along with better ergonomics and 

aesthetics, for consumer-friendly goods sporting easy-tohandle 

grips, handles, and covers. The marketable 

advantages of soft-touch TPE’s is fully investigated. 

TEKNOR APEX CO.; DUPONT DOW 

ELASTOMERS; GW PLASTICS INC.; RAPRA 

TECHNOLOGY LTD.; MA HANNA; ADVANCED 

ELASTOMER SYSTEMS; GE PLASTICS; 

ALLIEDSIGNAL PLASTICS; SHELL CHEMICAL 

CO. 


UK; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 196 

Adhesive Technology 

15, No.1, March 1998, p.18-9 

MDI-BASED URETHANE PREPOLYMERS AS 

BINDERS 

Moore D 

Industrial Copolymers Ltd. 

The use of granulated rubber crumb bound with one- or 

two-component PU binders has become increasingly 

popular in sports and safety surfacing. The rubber crumb 

granules are normally ground from scrap commercial 

rubber tyres, as car tyres often contain high levels of 

additives that make them unsuitable for this purpose. This 

process benefits the environment because it eliminates 

problems associated with the disposal of tyres. In the 

USA, many states have banned the dumping of tyres in 

landfill sites. Furthermore, it is estimated that by re-using 

rubber granules with a polymer binder, energy savings of 

107,000 to 111,500 kJ/kg are achieved compared with 

the incineration of scrap tyres. Sports and safety surfaces 

usually contain more than 80% recycled product. Details 

are given. 4 refs. 




Item 197 


No.1, 1998, p.6-7 

NEW IN-LINE SKATE CLIPS ON OR OFF IN 

SECONDS 

Marabelli F 

Du Pont Italiana SpA 

Until recently, MGM developed and made sports shoes sold 

mostly under various well-known brand names. The 

company then entered the in-line skate market in 1996 with 

the launch of the Hypno. This patented design’s big selling 

point is that the wheels can be easily removed from the shoes 

and fixed on again in a moment. In MGM’s original design 

the chassis was made in two sections, one of aluminium, 

one of plastic. That made for a lengthy manufacturing 

process, with a complicated assembly procedure and the need 



to carry stocks of two different parts. Then, with the help of 

Du Pont Italiana’s Technical Service Centre for Engineering 

Polymers, MGM redesigned the chassis as a single injection 

moulded part in high strength Zytel 6,6 nylon. The new 

chassis is lighter than the previous version and so is easier to 

carry and use, but it sacrifices nothing in performance and 

durability. Details are given. 

MGM SPA 




Item 198 


No.1, 1998, p.4-5 

BOON FOR BIKERS 

Daykin S 

Du Pont (UK) Ltd. 

A young designer’s ingenuity and perseverance, together 

with some design and development assistance from Du 

Pont, is reported to have led to the invention of the 

Terraplane, a device which enables mountain bikers to 

ride over seemingly insurmountable obstacles with 

apparent ease, and without damage to the chain wheel. 

Moulded entirely of Zytel ST nylon, the Terraplane is 

roughly the size and shape of a clotheshanger; it is fixed 

to the down-tube so that it almost bridges the gap between 

the bicycle’s wheels. Details are given. 




Item 199 

Eureka 

18, No.7, July 1998, p.22-3 

WHEELS WITHIN PLASTIC WHEELS 

Shelley T 

Synthetic polymer tyres, with rolling resistances very 

close to those of conventional air-filled tyres, offer 

puncture-proof operation and extended lifetimes. The 

technology began by improving the handling of 

wheelchairs and subsequently advanced to bicycles. The 

newest versions are suitable for lawn tractors and electric 

vehicles, with full scale car tyres a real possibility in the 

near future. Prices are likely to be comparable with those 

of their conventional rubber equivalents. Urathon’s 

business is built on PU. Based in Hilmarton in Wiltshire, 

it has built up a substantial reputation for PU tyres for 

wheelchairs. The tyres, which are all moulded in China, 

are made so that the foam skins are on the outside, while 

the PU is in contact with the surface of the mould. Details 

are given of more recent developments. 

URATHON TYRE INDUSTRIES 




Item 200 


153, No.6, June 1998, p.77 

MATERIALS ON THE TOSHIBA 

The Toshiba is a sailing yacht that is participating in an 

11 month Whitbread Around-the-World race. The 1997- 

98 race marks the first time that all competing yachts are 

built to the same class, at 64 ft long and 30,000 lb. Because 

all the boats are the same class, many distinctions between 

them are marginal. However, some differences can be 

significant. For example, the sail on the Toshiba has high 

performance sails made of AlliedSignal’s Spectra fibre. 

In fact, of the Toshiba’s 16 sails, the mainsail and other 

highly loaded spinnakers are made of sailcloth fabricated 

of Spectra yarns. These fibres were chosen because of 

their superior UV resistance, high tear strength and 

resistance to flex fatigue. The patented process for making 

the sailcloth was invented originally for the 1992 

America’s Cup race. The cloth, which is described as 

resembling a fibre-reinforced film more than cloth, is a 

flexible composite in which Spectra fibre is incorporated 

into a non-woven, unidirectional laminate with Du Pont 

Mylar backing. Details are given. 

ALLIEDSIGNAL CORP. 

USA 


Item 201 


10, No.4, 23rd March 1998, p.23 

COMFORT, SAFETY NO LONGER TAKE A 

BACK SEAT 

Pryweller J 

This article looks at the development of the design of 

technologically-advanced seating and occupant protection 

systems in Formula One racing cars, resulting from a 

three-year agreement between Lear Corp. of the USA, 

and UK-based Steward Grand Prix. Full details are 

provided. 

LEAR CORP. 

USA 


Item 202 

Molding Systems 

56, No.5, May/June 1998, p.41-3 

MULTI-SHOT PROCESS IS A TEAM EFFORT 

The new one-time Fun Saver sport camera, with its onehanded 

operation and rubberised waterproof casing, was 

the most complex multi-shot injection moulding project 

ever attempted by Kodak. The company partnered 

injection moulding machine maker Ferromatik Milacron 

and mouldmaker Foboha to develop a process for 

moulding the hard inner housing of clear PS overmoulded 

with a soft, coloured outer layer. 



KODAK; FERROMATIK MILACRON GMBH; 

FOBOHA 




Item 203 


No.757, March 1997, p.44 

French 

PISCINES DESJOYAUX CONTINUES WITH ITS 

INTEGRATION 

Lafuma F 

Financial results are presented for French swimming pool 

manufacturer Piscines Desjoyaux, and details are given 

of investments by the Company in rotational and injection 

moulding and recycling facilities. The French market for 

swimming pools is briefly examined. 

PISCINES DESJOYAUX; DESJOYAUX 




Item 204 

Modern Plastics Encyclopedia 

74, No.13, 1998, p.B54-5 

SEMI-AROMATIC GRADES ADD MARKET 

SHARE AND STIMULATE DEMAND 

Mewborn J W 

EMS-American Grilon Inc. 

Nylon remains the number one engineering thermoplastic. 

This is because the variety of nylon grades available 

includes not only the old standbys, but whole new families 

of compounds designed for a large variety of specific end 

uses. For example, new grades are now available using 

specialised nucleation systems which combine the 

benefits of nucleation with much greater toughness. 

Applications for nylon grades continue to grow in the 

automotive, electrical and sports equipment sectors. 

USA 


Item 205 


10, No.6, 6th April 1998, p.1/24 

SNOWSHOE OUTPACES OTHERS IN SPI, PN 

DESIGN CONTESTS 

Grace R 

Design details are given of a snowshoe which features a 

novel use of reaction injection moulded polyurethane to 

encapsulate its tubular frame and traction cleats. The 

design has earned its designer, Eikon Product Realization 

Inc. the first IDSA/Plastics News Design Award. The 

three-dimensional computer aided design program SDRC 

Ideas was used as well as Protogenic’s rapid prototyping 

system to produce a full-size prototype model. Bayflex 

110-25 elastomeric urethane RIM system is used 

encapsulate most of the frame in a single, 15 second shot. 

Production savings made by the use of reaction injection 

moulding are discussed. 

EIKON PRODUCT REALIZATION INC.; MILFOAM 

CORP.; TUBBS SNOWSHOE CO. 

USA 


Item 206 

50 Years of Advanced Materials or Back to the Future. 

15th International European Chapter conference 


Toulouse, 8th-10th June 1994, p.289-97. 627 

COMPOSITES AND FORMULA 1 

Perrin D 

Ligier F1 

Edited by: Hognat J; Pinzelli R; Gillard E 

(SAMPE,European Chapter; Aerospatiale SA; Du Pont 

de Nemours International SA) 

The Formula One championship is one of the most popular 

worldwide sports activities. In addition, it is a 

technological spectacle offering a fertile grounding for 

composites materials. The framework of technological 

engineering in motor racing is outlined, with some 

emphasis on composites in Formula 1. Future 

developments are described, concluding with an example 

of R & D in F1 - energy absorption by composite 

materials. 




Item 207 

Prototyping Technology International 

No.4, April/June 1998, p.43/6 

NOT ANY OLD IRONS 

Christoperson S 

Stratasys 

A case study is presented in which the product design 

and development of a golf club head by Mizuno USA 

was significantly reduced using rapid prototyping 

techniques. Typically, a new golf club head design takes 

about 13 months to develop, but using RP the company 

was able to begin concepting new irons just seven months 

prior to the scheduled production. The cost of a fused 

deposition modelling RP system was offset by savings 

per iteration. 

MIZUNO USA 

USA 


Item 208 




12, No.5, May 1998, p.3 

SPORTS SURFACING FRANCHISE 

OPPORTUNITY 

The product range of Safe Sports Surfaces is described, 

with reference to the company’s offering of franchise 

opportunities for recycled rubber. The company is 

reported to have established marketing and distribution 

functions to support a nationwide franchise system for 

its full line of recycled rubber-based surfacing products. 

These include CushFil and CushPlay for playground 

surfacing, race tracks, and jogging trails, CushWalk 

decorative walkways and CushStep stepping stones. Safe 

Sports Surfaces is also a ReBound dealer offering a full 

line of turf enhancement products. 

SAFE SPORTS SURFACES 

USA 


6, No.4, April 1998, p.27-8 

BROADENING THE CUSTOMER BASE 

Goldsberry C 

The need to remake a company’s image in order to grow 

is discussed, with particular reference to the situation at 

Sports Molding Inc. The company recognises a need to 

diversify and to this end has changed its name and logo 

to SMI to reduce the emphasis on sports equipment. It 

has in addition, conducted market research into what it 

does best and the needs of its customers and views of its 

employees. The problem solving expertise of SMI has 

enabled it to acquire new projects, and the company aims 

to apply the experience of its sporting goods moulding 

background to future business. 

SMI 

USA 


Item 209 


88, No.4, 1998, p.27-8 (German: p.556/8) 

German; English 

SAFE AND SILENCING 

Scholl A; Piroddi A; De Wever W 

This article highlights the use of thermoplastic 

polyurethanes (TPU) and reinforced thermoplastic 

polyurethanes (RTPU) in sports and recreational 

applications. It considers: designs for winter sports, 

silencing combat sports equipment (crossbows), inline 

skating comfort, and good adhesion in sandwich 

moulding. 


GERMANY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 210 

Rubber World 

217, No.6, March 1998, p.17 

POLYOLEFIN FOAM GROWTH PEGGED AT 

4.8% 

Total demand for polyolefin foams in the three main 

markets grew by 4.8% in 1997, according to Chemical 

Market Resources. Total demand for the foams in North 

America, Japan and Western Europe was 252.3 thousand 

metric tons. The major markets are packaging, sports 

equipment, automotive, construction/building and 

industrial. Metallocene based polyolefin foams are 

expected to grow from six million pounds in 1997 at an 

average of 24% a year. 

CHEMICAL MARKET RESOURCES 

WORLD 


Item 211 


Item 212 


70, No.4, 10th March 1998, p.173-7 

GET A GRIP! 

Edited by: Hotter D S 

Trends in the use of soft-touch elastomers in a variety of 

applications are considered, together with the properties 

and characteristics of the materials, and methods of 

bonding. Soft-touch elastomers provide manufacturers 

with a cost-effective means for improving the look, feel 

and performance of consumer products, particularly in 

the power tool, personal care product, sporting goods and 

domestic appliance sectors. As well as providing a means 

of product differentiation, soft-touch elastomers provide 

an ergonomic and non-slip grip, energy absorption 

characteristics and damping qualities. Material properties, 

design options and methods of moulding grips are 

described. 

USA 


Item 213 


24, No.7, 1997, p.T/5-12 

MATERIALS RECYCLING OF USED TYRES 

AND RUBBER SCRAP 

Capelle G 

Berstorff H.,Maschinenbau GmbH 

The recycling of waste rubber has been a topical subject 

for a long time but, because of the quantities involved, is 

still of little industrial significance compared to energy 

recovery and dumping. This is without doubt due to the 

limited possibilities for returning semi-finished products 

made of waste rubber to the original product cycle. 

Common products mode with recycled rubber fillers 

include in particular insulation materials, flooring for 

sports grounds and large industrial rubber articles exposed 



to low physical stresses such as level crossing boundaries, 

etc. Rubber granules and powdered rubber produced using 

the hot grinding procedure with their large specific surface 

are good examples of high-quality products with good 

bonding properties which, when subjected to latex coating 

processes, are of comparable quality to universal fillers. 




Item 214 

London, 1997. 

BS 1892:PT1(1986). GYMNASIUM EQUIPMENT - 

SPECIFICATION OF GENERAL 

REQUIREMENTS 

British Standards Inst. 

BS 1892:PT1(1986) 

Version 97. Photocopies and loans of this document are 

not available from Rapra. 




Item 215 

Design Engineering 

March 1998, p.70 

WINNING PERFORMANCE 

This article supplies details of the advantages and benefits 

of using Stevens Urethane, a thermoplastic polyurethane 

from JPS Elastomerics, for applications in a wide variety 

of athletic equipment. The performance characteristics of 

thermoplastic polyurethane include toughness and 

durability, good tensile strength and abrasion resistance and 

ease of fabrication. Athletic applications include bladders 

for helmets, balls and for customising sports shoes. 

JPS ELASTOMERICS 

USA 


Item 216 

Plastics Technology 

44, No.3, March 1998, p.34-9 

COMPOSITES ’98: UNVEILING NEW 

TECHNOLOGIES 

Naitove M H; De Gaspari J 

A review is presented of a selection of some of the latest 

developments on show at the SPI’s International Composites 

Expo Nashville show. Descriptions are given of a 3-D 

pultrusion method; an in-line machining centre for 

automatically milling, routing, drilling and cutting off 

pultruded structural profiles as they emerge from the die; a 

biofiltration process for the removal of VOCs; the 

SMARTweave process development tool that provides a 

means of observing in real time the progress of the resin flow 

front and both gel and cure inside an RTM mould; vacuumassisted 

RTM; computer controlled filament winding; and a 

mountain bike with a frame of woven carbon fibre fabric and 

nylon 6 resin, made by electrostatic powder impregnation. 

SPI 

USA 


Item 217 

Plast’ 21 

No.54, Sept.1996, p.70-2 

Spanish 

APPLICATIONS OF PLASTICS IN BICYCLES 

The use of plastics in bicycles and bicycle accessories is 

examined. Applications described include pumps, water 

bottles, pump and bottle holders and pedals. 

TRES DESIGN GROUP 

USA 


Item 218 


PU Asia p.13, contained within 12, No.75, Nov./ 

Dec.1997 

PREPOLYMERS FOR SKATERS IN A HURRY 

This article introduces a series of quasi-prepolymers from 

Bayer AG of Germany. These behave like standard 

prepolymers, but have low viscosity so can be processed 

by the one-shot technique. The prepolymers are ideally 

suited for the manufacture skate rollers. 

BAYER AG 




Item 219 

Polymer News 

22, No.12, Dec.1997, p.433 

WORLD’S FIRST DIMENSIONALLY STABLE 

ARTIFICIAL PLAYING SURFACE DEBUTS AT 

TEXAS STADIUM 

Bridging the gap between player safety and player 

performance is a new artificial playing field that meets 

the tough demands of the five-times Superbowl Champion 

Dallas Cowboys. SportField, the world’s first 

dimensionally stable artificial turf system, will not stretch 

or pull under most weather conditions. The synthetic field, 

which was installed at Texas Stadium before the start of 

the Cowboys’ 1996 football season, is a more resilient 

and forgiving system that dissipates and cushions impact. 

Already available for professional and collegiate playing 

fields, SportField is also suitable for the nation’s 

approximately 26,000 high schools. Details are given. 

SPORTFIELD INC.; BAYER CORP. 

USA 




Item 220 


44, No.2, Feb.1998, p.45-8 

BIOCIDES KEEP BUGS OFF YOUR PLASTICS 

Manolis Sherman L 

Biocides are now a growing presence in polyolefins 

and other plastics, due to consumer demand for ‘germfree’ 

products. The use of biocides or antimicrobial 

additives in plastics traditionally has been limited 

chiefly to flexible PVC and to PU foams, as they are 

the most susceptible to attack by fungi, bacteria, and 

algae that can cause discolouration, odour and 

deterioration of mechanical properties. Plasticisers are 

a key food source for these micro-organisms in PVC. 

Popular applications for biocides in these two plastics 

include roof liners, tarpaulins, wall and floor coverings, 

pool and ditch liners, shower curtains, bath mats, 

outdoor furniture, marine upholstery, insulation foams, 

and sports-shoe soles. In more recent years, increasing 

public concern about food-borne pathogens and other 

germs in the environment has been driving consumer 

demand for antimicrobials in products made of 

polyolefins and other plastics ranging from housewares 

such as cutting boards to children’s toys. An outline of 

new developments is presented. 

USA 


Item 221 


9, No.45, 5th Jan.1998, p.20 

BOATS CAST OFF WOOD IN FAVOUR OF 

PLASTICS 

Pryweller J 

Engineered thermoplastics and composite, whether in 

extruded sheet or injection moulded form, are reported 

to have dominated at the recent International Marine 

Trades Exhibit and Conference. Several parts 

suppliers indicated the shift from wood to plastics. 

Some had placques with the word wood, surrounded 

by a circle with a slash mark through it. Composite 

supplier Kayco admonished booth visitors to let 

Kayco ‘get your wood out’. Meanwhile, several 

leading makers of yachts and pleasure craft, including 

Sea Ray Boats and OMC Boat Group, adorned their 

latest models with a heavy cache of plastic parts. On 

one of Sea Ray’s 54-ft. yachts, the customised cabin 

and deck used thermoplastics in areas that once had 

been the domain of teak and plywood. They and other 

manufacturers were considering changing their hulls 

from GRP to acrylic or new composite materials. 


KAYCO INC.; SEA RAY BOATS INC.; OMC BOAT 

GROUP INC. 

USA 


Item 222 


87, No.12, Dec.1997, p.22-4 

FASTER AND FURTHER 

Murauer H 

Fischer 

The development is described of high tech tennis racquets. 

Long range, high power and light weight are among the 

requirements for modern racquets which can be met by 

the use of fibre-reinforced plastics materials and 

technologies. The manufacture of racquets at Fischer is 

detailed with respect to material selection, quality 

assurance, and production methods. 




Item 223 


Sept.1997, p.3-4 

ATHLETIC WEAR 

Aquatic Design Inc. of the USA have invented fabric that 

is waterproof, breathable, and elastic, and is deal for 

outdoor sports-wear, it is reported. The construction of 

the fabric is described, and its properties highlighted. 

FILAMENT FIBER TECHNOLOGY INC.; AQUATIC 

DESIGN INC.; AKZO NOBEL 

USA 


Item 224 

Polyurethanes World Congress ’97. Conference 


Amsterdam, Netherlands, 29th Sept.-1st Oct.1997, 

p.381-92. 43C6 

QUASI-PREPOLYMERS FOR HIGH- 

PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS 

Madan S; Franyutti S; Recker K; Pantone R S 

Bayer Corp.; Bayer AG 

(SPI,Polyurethane Div.; ISOPA) 

PU moulded elastomers prepared by reacting 

4,4’diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)-terminated 

prepolymers with certain polyfunctional, active hydrogen 

chain extenders produce elastomeric materials with 

unique physical and mechanical properties that are 

distinctly better than those of cold-curing or one-shot PU 

systems. However, the low percentage of free isocyanate 

groups (% free NCO) results in high ratios of prepolymer 

to chain extender and high viscosities. Processing is 

therefore less flexible, requiring higher temperatures and 

specialised equipment. A new group of MDI quasiprepolymers 

(with 23% free NCO) are described. They 

are liquid at room temperatures and can be processed with 

conventional one-shot processing equipment at similar 

ratios, but exhibit properties superior to conventional one- 



shot systems. By manipulating the backbone linkages, 

wide ranges in properties and hardness are achieved with 

ease of processing. This flexibility now allows quasiprepolymers 

to be used for a range of applications in the 

industrial, transportation, sports and leisure industries. The 

structure-property relationships of quasi-prepolymers are 

characterised, contrasting them with conventional 

prepolymers and one-shot PU systems. By testing these 

elastomers under static and dynamic conditions, the effect 

of polymer structure on static and dynamic properties is 

revealed. 9 refs. 




Item 225 

Polyurethanes World Congress ’97. Conference 


Amsterdam, Netherlands, 29th Sept.-1st Oct.1997, 

p.536-44. 43C6 

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE SELECTION OF 

POLYURETHANE SYSTEMS FOR MIDSOLE 

WEDGES IN ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR 

APPLICATION 

Indesteege J; Camargo R E; Mackey P W; Dent A; 

Bagaglio G 

ICI Polyurethanes; ICI Asiatic Chemical Co. 

(SPI,Polyurethane Div.; ISOPA) 

Most developments in high performance PU foam systems 

for manufacturing sport shoe midsole wedges have 

concentrated on reducing density while maintaining 

physical properties. In the drive to reduce the density of 

the midsole material, it has become apparent that 

maximising any one physical property can result in the 

deficiency of another critical parameter. Increasing the 

hardness of a soling material, for example, may be needed 

to increase the load capacity and potentially result in 

improved cushioning. However, if the system is not 

properly modified taking into account some basic 

principles of PU elastomers, the resultant foam can have 

lower resiliency and tear strength. It is important to 

understand the interrelationships of properties to ensure 

both the durability and performance of a sports shoe. Tear 

strength, tensile strength and elongation are specified to 

ensure the strength and durability, whereas pendulum 

rebound, skin hardness and resiliency are specified to 

ensure the performance and comfort of the shoe. The 

physical property balance for midsole wedge materials 

that satisfies typical hardness specifications of sport shoe 

manufacturers is described. The use of compression 

hardness instead of indentation or skin hardness to specify 

the load bearing characteristics of midsole materials is 

advocated. It is also shown that the physical properties of 

a system vary as a function of the processing conditions, 

as well as how the measurement of these properties are 

affected by the testing environment. Using this 

information, the sports shoe designer can engineer not 

only the right product, but also the right process to 

guarantee the maximum performance and durability of a 

shoe. 12 refs. 


THAILAND; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 226 


9, No.32, 6th Oct.1997, p.1/9 

YACHT MAKERS MULLING ACRYLIC HULL 

Pryweller J 

This article reports on how two US yacht manufacturers 

are moving away from the use of reinforced composites 

(an industry standard-bearer for almost forty years) in the 

structure of their products, and how Sea Ray Boats Inc. 

is testing a thermoformed hull using an acrylic/ABS blend. 

Potentially the blend could have an extremely wide use, 

it is stated. 

SEA RAY BOATS INC.; OMC BOAT GROUP INC. 

USA 


Item 227 


41, No.11, Dec.1997, p.34-8 

GRP MEETS THE JET SKI CHALLENGE 

Marsh G 

In the USA, up to 200,000 personal watercraft units are 

produced. Over 92% of craft are now “sit down” types 

first introduced by Yamaha. Nearly all craft today are 

produced in either GRP or SMC. SMC hulls tend to be 

more rigid, which can make them more resistant to minor 

damage, but are harder to repair when something serious 

does happen. The high initial cost of steel tooling and 

powerful presses can be a major drawback with SMC. 

USA 


Item 228 


No.4, April 1996, p.190-200 

Italian 

WEARING POLYMERS 


Developments by a number of companies in synthetic 

fibres, including microfibres, elastomeric fibres and various 

speciality fibres are reviewed, and applications of such 

fibres in sportswear are examined. Polymeric membranes 

used in clothing are also discussed. Statistics are presented 

for the Italian and European textile industries and Italian 

exports and imports of synthetic fibres. 


WESTERN EUROPE; WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL; WORLD 




Item 229 


No.749, April 1996, p.65-6 

French 

GOUILLARDON GAUDRY: A DETERMINED 

COMPANY 

Gossot J 

An account is given of the activities of Gouillardon 

Gaudry of France in tyre distribution, custom rubber 

compounding and the moulding of soles for sports and 

safety footwear and rubber components for the automotive 

and electrical industries. Turnover and other company 

information is presented. 

GOUILLARDON GAUDRY; FABER; POINT S 




Item 230 


No.749, April 1996, p.47 

French 

DESJOYAUX BACKS RECYCLED PLASTICS 

Lafuma F 

The activities of Desjoyaux of France in the manufacture 

of swimming pools using reclaimed plastics are briefly 

examined. Turnover and employment figures are 

presented for the Company. 

DESJOYAUX 




Item 231 


No.749, April 1996, p.40-4 

French 

SLIDING SPORTS: SURFING TAKES THE HIGH 

GROUND 

Lavabre S 

Developments in equipment and footwear for winter 

sports and in the use of polymers in these applications 

are examined. The activities of a number of manufacturers 

of such products are reviewed, and turnover figures are 

presented for some companies. Statistics show French and 

world sales of winter sports equipment in 1993/94 and 

1994/95. 

ROSSIGNOL SKI CO.; SALOMON SA 




Item 232 


No.14, Nov. 1997, p.44 

VERSATILE MICROFIBRES 

Equipment has been developed by Omam which will 

enable PP microfibres to be used more extensively in 

technical articles and clothing. The company offers high 

level turnkey solutions based on MicroTech equipment 

for the spinning of continuous multifilaments in 

polypropylene, having a denier range of between 40 and 

300. Omam’s expertise covers the whole production 

process including the colouring and dispersion of 

additives in the granule, the extrusion with specific screw, 

the spinNing with customised spinnerets, the air cooling 

system with special chambers with peculiar flow 

distribution, and the final winding on high speed winders. 

OMAM 

USA 


Item 233 


14, No.6, Dec. 1997-Jan. 1998, p.32/4 

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS 

- UNLESS YOU SUPPLY POLYURETHANES 

Davis B 

The use of polyurethanes in winter sporting goods and 

clothing is examined. The ski making industry is said to 

have suffered a decline, due to economic slowdowns, 

escalating costs of winter holidays, warmer European 

winters, and a shift in demand to snowboards. Likewise, 

demand for ski boots has also fallen, although still 

accounting for around 15% of the total thermoplastic 

polyurethanes business, it is reported. Details are given 

of ski makers ranked by turnover and by production 

amounts. The growth of tapered or carving skis is noted, 

which now accounts for more than half of alpine ski sales 

in North America. A total involvement in the winter sports 

sector of more than 20,000 tonnes of PU is estimated. 

EUROPE-GENERAL; JAPAN; NORTH AMERICA 


Item 234 


14, No.6, Dec. 1997-Jan. 1998, p.20-2 

NEW APPLICATIONS HELP TPUS PROSPER AS 

ONE KEY SECTOR CONTINUES DOWNHILL 

Reed D 

New applications for thermoplastic polyurethane 

elastomers are reviewed, with statistics for consumption 

by end-use application for Western Europe and worldwide. 

The declining use of polyurethanes in the key sector of ski 

boots is examined, but growth in sporting goods and other 

footwear is said to be strong. Growth prospects overall are 

said to be good, with the Far East expected to show growth 

of 7-9%, according to Bayer Corp. 

EUROPE-GENERAL; WORLD 




Item 235 


May 1997, p.137 

WARM HANDS 

Ski gloves have been developed which use a polyesterurethane 

for the glove and feature a thermoplastic PU liquid 

heat transfer bladder which is filled with an oil-based fluid. 

The hand-shaped bladder absorbs heat generated by an iron 

oxide heat pack and spreads the warmth evenly over the 

entire hand for several hours at a time. The properties 

afforded by polyurethane which makes it suitable for this 

particular applications are described. 

JPS ELASTOMERICS CORP.; SEALTECH 

USA 


Item 236 

Packaging Technology & Science 

10, No.3, May-June 1997, p.129-43 

OVERVIEW OF SMART TECHNOLOGY 

Goddard N D R; Kemp R M J; Lane R 

UK,Defence Research Agency 

Over the last five years, researchers working in most of 

the major industrial sectors have given at least some 

thought to how they might apply ‘smart’ technology - 

important areas being in transport, building, civil 

infrastructure, biomedicine, sport and leisure, power 

generation and oil, gas and petrochemical. The prospects 

for ‘intelligent packaging’ have been assessed most 

notably by CEST and Pira International. Interest in ‘smart’ 

packaging has been sustained over the four years since 

this pioneering study, with the focus of attention gradually 

shifting from abstract conjecture to practical application. 

A systematic definition of ‘smart’ technology is presented, 

and some of the major advances being made under this 

technological umbrella are briefly reviewed. The UK 

Defence Research Agency (DRA) has been active in 

‘smart’ technology from its earliest days and has 

concentrated mainly on aerospace and defence 

applications. However, there has been a conscious effort 

to identify wider opportunities for the exploitation of the 

contributing ‘smart’ technologies. Some ideas relevant 

to packaging which are currently being developed in 

conjunction with the DRA’s Packaging Authority are 

outlined, together with an invitation for interested 

companies to participate in various DRA-led joint 

development programmes. 26 refs. 




Item 237 


27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.45 

PU SPIKES STEP IN WHERE METAL ONCE 

TREAD 

Whitford M 

The recent trend by golf courses to ban metal spikes began 

about five years ago and has already affected about 2,100 

of USA’s 14,000 golf courses, according to Softspikes. 

The reason for outlawing metal spikes was their causing 

a total of more than 40 million US dollars’ damage to 

America’s golf courses and clubhouses each year, 

according to a US Golf Association study. For upscale 

courses, the repair costs are much higher. One course 

owner projected a 60,000 US dollars annual savings in 

clubhouse repairs alone if it barred metal spikes. The ban 

really should come as no surprise to golfers or metal cleat 

makers. Competitor Maven Golf Products expects the 

number of courses outlawing metal spikes to more than 

double by the end of 1998, exceeding 5,000. By the year 

2000, 90% of US courses will be spikeless. PU cleats 

currently have about 30% of the golf footwear market; if 

all US courses require metal-free spikes, the PU cleat 

market will soar to between 90 and 100 million US dollars 

annually. Details are given. 

SOFTSPIKES INC.; US,GOLF ASSOCIATION; 

MAVEN GOLF PRODUCTS LLC 

USA 


Item 238 


27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.43 

WEAPONS UPGRADE 

Whitford M 

More so than most other sports, the difficulty of golf 

frequently leaves its players desperately searching for a 

cure-all club or ball. According to Ram Golf, the main 

item in the bag that they are willing to spend the most 

money on is the putter, which is used in 25-50% of all 

golf strokes. Most players have two or three putters but 

are very willing to go out and buy another one if they feel 

it will help their short game. In addition to marketing its 

Rambrand golf ball, Ram is in the booming business of 

making putters featuring PU inserts. Ram’s Zebra-brand 

putter features a club-head surface 60-70% comprised of 

PU. The Z-shaped insert typically fills a cavity that is 3 

in. wide, 0.75 in. tall and 0.5 in. deep. Details are given. 

ODYSSEY GOLF INC.; RAM GOLF CORP. 

USA 


Item 239 


27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.35/7 

CLUB GRIPS BATTLE FOR RESPECT IN 

MARKET 

Whitford M 

US golf grip makers claim that the average golfer 

mistakenly disregards the product’s importance in swing 



strength, control and comfort. It is this myopic thinking 

that is constricting the grip business in volume and dollar 

sales. Most golfers re-grip their clubs every few years at 

most, when they really need a new wrap every year. Also, 

when the typical golfer re-grips their clubs they are usually 

very mean. Most grips wholesale at about one US dollar 

apiece. Rubber wraps represent about 85% of the grip 

market, with thermoplastic elastomer, PU, leather and 

fibre making up the remainder. Details are given. 

GRIPPING SOLUTIONS INC.; EATON CORP. 

USA 


Item 240 


27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.21-2 

ROOKIE FIRMS TEE OFF IN GOLF BALL 

MARKET 

Whitford M 

A few golf industry suppliers now are trying to make 

money at both ends of the market - producing balls and 

clubs. Industry observers say some of the major golf 

equipment makers plan to enter the ball market before 

the turn of the century. Among the rumoured newcomers 

are golf club giants Callaway Golf and Taylor Made Golf, 

and golf shoe and apparel maker Nike. Of those three, 

only Callaway has unveiled blueprints for its advent to 

the golf ball market - a 100 million US dollars Carlsbad, 

California operation expected to launch a line in 1999. 

Golf ball sales are rising at 3-5% annually and are likely 

to match or beat that rate for the next 10-15 years, it is 

forecast. However, increased domestic and import 

competition is keeping many ball manufacturers’ sales 

steady. Sales are increasing, as are the producers. 

Companies must steal market share to bolster volume. 


CALLAWAY GOLF CO.; TAYLOR MADE GOLF 

CO.; NIKE INC.; SLAZENGER GOLF USA 

USA 


Item 241 


27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.16/8 

DISPOSABLE MARKET 

Whitford M 

In 1996, US companies produced around 70 million dozen 

golf balls for 24.7 million golfers - almost 36 golf balls 

per player. Most golf balls have a relatively short life, as 

most players are not professionals. Some statistics and 

current market and production trends are presented. 

SUTHERLAND GOLF INC.; US,NATIONAL GOLF 

FOUNDATION 

USA 


Item 242 


27, No.11, Nov.1997, p.95 

TOUGHENED NYLON GRADES PERFORM AT 

DEEP FREEZE TEMPERATURES TO - 40 DEG.C 

LNP Engineering Plastics Europe has introduced Star-X 

grades of nylons 6 and 66 with high impact strength in 

the dry as-moulded condition. Some grades feature 

characteristics at -40 deg.C equal to those of conditioned, 

unmodified nylons at room temperature. They process 

easily, and they are claimed to have excellent resistance 

to oils, greases and most solvents. They have limited 

resistance to strong acids and bases. Target applications 

range from sports and leisure items, such as ski bindings 

and boots, to conveyor chain links, textile machine 

components and castor wheels. LNP says its proprietary 

impact-modification technology offers significant 

processing advantages over alternative nylons. Grades 

have better flow, yielding a good surface finish even on 

parts with long flow paths, it says, and unlike nylons 

modified with more traditional impact modification 

systems, they show no plate-out. Because impact strength 

is high in the dry-as-moulded state, they do not have to 

be preconditioned before use. Details are given. 

LNP ENGINEERING PLASTICS EUROPE BV 


NETHERLANDS; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 243 

Advanced Materials News 

No.101, Nov.1997, p.1-2 

CARBON FIBRE ROLLS ON... 

The industry is reported to have commenced with a 

few technical demonstration projects, notably along the 

US West Coast. These have soon given way to 

smallscale commercial contracts, which in turn have 

recently led to carbon fibre composites being used in 

some of the biggest renovation jobs of their kind. 

Throughout industry, carbon fibre plastics are still 

synonymous with high tech aerospace and premium 

sports goods. The fact that this material is being used 

at all in heavy-duty concrete renovation, let alone 

formed the basis for a potentially huge-volume 

business, has surprised many. Some of the latest 

contracts are already beginning to stretch the industry’s 

supply capacity. In the USA, a team of contractors 

recently chose carbon fibre rather than steel to renovate 

a major structure in Oklahoma City. Claimed to be the 

biggest contract of its kind in the US, renovation of 

the Myriad Convention Center will use up to 35,000 

sq.m of carbon fibre overwrap to reinforce large areas 

of concrete that no longer meet current design codes 

on shear and flexural strength. Details are given. 

XXSYS TECHNOLOGIES INC. 

USA 




Item 244 


24, No.11, Dec.1997, p.20-1 

PLASTICS ON THE PISTE 

Anscombe N 

Montebelluna, Italy, is the capital of the world’s ski 

boot manufacturing industry and is home to the 

injection moulding machinery maker Oima. Oima has 

a large market share of ski boot manufacturing 

equipment sales, with over 80% of the world’s ski boots 

being made on its machines. The major material used 

in the manufacture of ski boots is thermoplastic PU. 

Oima has recently gained a relatively new competitor 

in this niche market in the form of Nuova Plastic Metal, 

another Italian machinery maker situated near 

Montebelluna. 

OIMA SPA 




Item 245 


Special Suppl.Oct.1997, p.14-7 

LOTUS - PAST AND PRESENT 

James B 

The late Colin Chapman, who founded Lotus Cars 44 

years ago, was a pioneer in the use of automotive plastics. 

At the present day Lotus factory they now build the Esprit 

and the Elise. The Elise chassis is a spaceframe structure 

of epoxy-bonded sections of aluminium extrusions and 

the Esprit has a rigid zinc coat steel backbone. All the 

external panels on both models are composite GRP with 

some carbon/Kevlar structural reinforcing. The Elise 

weighs only 690kg. 

LOTUS CARS PLC 




Item 246 

Rubber Asia 

11, No.6, Nov.-Dec.1997, p.29-31 

NEW TRENDS IN FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY 

Ames K 

Nike Inc. 

The requirements of the sports shoe industry in terms of 

rubber compounds and the development of new 

compounds is discussed, in order that the industry may 

comply with the increasing demands from consumers for 

performance footwear. The key requirements are 

durability and traction, but other requirements are 

considered with reference to the various sporting activities 

for which such footwear is worn. The industry is compared 

with the tyre industry, which has been seen to dominate 

the development of new rubber compounds, and it is 

suggested that the footwear industry may be the future 

leader in new polymer development. 

USA 


Item 247 


No.3, March 1997, p.120-3 

Italian 

ONE-PIECE HULL 

Baucia G 

Marine craft manufactured by Intermarine of Italy are 

described, with particular reference to minesweepers having 

monocoque hulls produced from glass fibre-reinforced 

unsaturated polyester resin by a semi-automatic impregnation 

and lamination process using a steel mould with 17 movable 

parts. Other craft described include boats constructed from 

carbon and aramid fibre-reinforced epoxy resins. 

INTERMARINE SPA; TENCARA; CRESTITALIA; 

CANTIERE BIANCHI & CECCHI 




Item 248 


No.3, March 1997, p.112-8 

Italian 

SPORT: PLASTICS ON YOUR FEET 


A survey is made of plastics, rubbers, composites and 

foams used in sports equipment, and reference is made to 

a number of developments by materials suppliers and 

equipment manufacturers. Applications examined include 

skis, ski boots and roller skates. 

WORLD 


Item 249 

Plastics Southern Africa 

27, No.1, June 1997, p.26 

UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENT 

Luthi J 

Dolder AG 

This comprehensive article describes the Diamir ski 

binding equipment from the Swiss company Fritschi. The 

article describes the advantages of the Diamir binding 

which is a new generation of high-performance, 

lightweight touring binding, which incorporates many 

parts made in engineering polymers. The position of the 

boot on the ski can be set at four different angles for 

climbing and a fifth one for descent. 

FRITSCHI 





Item 250 


9, No.31, 29th Sept.1997, p.24 

COMPOSITES GIVE SNOW BOARD RIDERS 

EDGE 

Renstrom R 

Rusty Snowboards is adding CFRP strips to allow team 

riders and advanced boarders to hold high-speed turns. 

Several dozen attendees at the Action Sports Retailer 

exhibition spent hours after the exhibition at Rusty’s 

San Diego factory, and 40 constructed their own 

‘snowslider’ with the graphite strips and a choice of 

board size and graphic colour. Each fibre strip is laid 

alternately between three pieces of wood core. The 

company has noted that a competitor has been 

experimenting with CFRP placement, but have found 

that it is unsatisfactory to put it along the rails as it is 

difficult to bond the materials. Rusty Snowboards 

employs 12, occupies 5,000 sq.ft. and can produce 60 

boards daily. The shop produced 3,500 units in 1996, 

its first season, and is now producing 5,000-6,000 

boards/yr. Details are given. 

RUSTY SNOWBOARDS; HOBIE SNOWBOARDS; 

HOBIE DESIGNS INC. 

USA 


Item 251 

Rubber Technology International 

1997, p.210-2 

TENSION AND LENGTH CONTROL FOR 

YARNS AND TOWS IN FIBRE-REINFORCED 

STRUCTURES 

Nick A 

Holtex Textilmaschinen GmbH 

In a number of manufacturing processes (e.g. filament 

winding, pultrusion, tape laying, laminating, tyre cord 

weaving, sectional warping), direct beaming, warp 

knitting and multi-axial weft insertion tows and fibres 

are used that are made from glass, carbon, aramid, 

polyamide, polyester, PP or PE. Both the processes and 

the individual fibres are very different, but for all a 

constant thread tension during manufacturing is 

fundamental for high-quality products to be produced. 

Such products include fibre-reinforced plastics for 

aircraft, cars, sports equipment, protective clothing, 

machine components and prepregs. Poor quality often 

occurs as a result of delamination that leads to early 

product failure. Causes of delamination can be detected 

through investigation of the fibre, the fibre-matrix system 

or the process technology that is applied. Emphasis is 

placed on the behaviour of fibres and tows as they are 

tangentially wound. 2 refs. 




Item 252 

Rubber Technology International 

1997, p.19-24 

DEVELOPING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE 

SNOWMOBILE VARIABLE SPEED BELT 

Shepher J; Westhoff W; Breed J 

Gates Rubber Co. 

Producing an effective design for a high-performance 

variable speed belt by Gates Rubber for snowmobile 

applications requires the careful balancing of a number 

of conflicting properties related to functionality and 

durability. A detailed test and evaluation programme was 

essential in order to achieve an optimised design. Design 

aspects covered include the Snow-V variable speed 

transmission; transmission functions and their 

interactions; belt structure, component design and 

geometric design; and development validation and testing. 

USA 


Item 253 

Advanced Materials Newsletter 

19, No.17, 8th Sept.1997, p.2-3 

INTEK INTRODUCES EXTRUDED FIBRE 

COMPOSITES SYSTEM 

Intek Plastics has introduced VHME (Very High Modulus 

Extrusion) Long Fiber Extrusions based on a new 

proprietary thermoplastic material system and process that 

is claimed to be a replacement for wood, pultrusions and 

metals. This patent-pending process extrudes 

thermoplastic composite based on Celstran long glass 

fiber-reinforced moulding compound materials. The 

company claims that the material system is stiffer than 

most woods, more weatherable than pultrusions, and will 

not corrode like metals (mainly steel and aluminium). 

Reinforced VHME is initially available in square tubular 

shapes only. The market potential for VHME is said to 

be comparable to the estimated 60-70 million US dollars 

market for injection moulding of long fiber compounds, 

with annual growth of about 20%. A market study has 

determined that VHME has potential use in more than 

130 applications including office furniture, appliances, 

sporting goods, transportation, windows, doors, 

wastewater and sewage treatment, corrosive environments 

and commercial refrigeration. Details are given. 

INTEK PLASTICS INC. 

USA 


Item 254 

Designed for life:Composites ’94. Publication number 

293/7. Conference proceedings. 

London, BPF, 1994, p.27-35. 627 

RESIN TRANSFER MOULDING OF MARINE 

PRODUCTS 

Searle T; Short D; Chudley J; Tate A; Bucknell S 



Advanced Composites Manufacturing Centre; 

Plymouth,University 

(BPF) 

The author describes three projects which utilise the 

advantages of composite materials and the cost effective 

benefits of resin transfer moulding (RTM). A range of 

composite propellers as an alternative to manganese bronze 

and nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) versions have been 

manufactured and tested. Outboard motor propellers can be 

damaged when used in shallow waters. Replacing or 

refurbishing a metal propeller is expensive. The composite 

alternative gives similar performance and is a cost effective 

replacement. Also NAB propeller support brackets are heavy 

and costly components to produce. This paper explains how 

a demonstrator of part of a propeller support bracket has 

been made which shows significant weight savings as well 

as considerable potential cost savings. 5 refs. 




Item 255 

Plastics World 

55, No.10, Oct.1997, p.44 

TPUS 

Bucher J 

Thermoplastic urethanes are the oldest thermoplastic 

elastomers in commercial use. In recent years, TPUs have 

been used as a flexible energy-absorbing matrix structure 

in high-performance footwear and in sports equipment. 

This article outlines TPU properties and part design 

considerations. 

USA 


Item 256 


9, No.21, 21st July 1997, p.13/31 

ALLIEDSIGNAL TAKES INTEREST IN 

SPORTING GOODS MARKET 

Esposito F 

AlliedSignal is reported to have been attempting to build 

on its 4-5% share that sports goods applications have in its 

product range. Spalding Sports Worldwide is testing golf 

balls with covers made of the company’s Capron nylon 

resins, which are in the company’s Ultra-Tough resin group. 

The new surface, which can be mixed with traditional 

ionomer materials, offers increased distance. The ball is 

being tested to see if it meets Professional Golf Association 

standards. The company says that there is also a large 

untapped market for protective helmets in college, high 

school and amateur sports. Brief details are given. 

ALLIEDSIGNAL PLASTICS; SPALDING SPORTS 

WORLDWIDE 

USA 


Item 257 


July 1997, p.2 

POLYETHYLENE NAPHTHALATE FIBRE 

MAKES TOUGHER SAILCLOTHS 

A polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) fibre in development 

by AlliedSignal is reported to be showing enormous 

potential for high quality sailcloths. Designated Pentex, 

the fibre can be woven to give fabrics which are 2.5 times 

lower in stretch than traditional sails of the same weight. 

This suggests the possibility of making much lighter 

weight sails with comparable performance. The fibre has 

already been used to make Super Modulus sails by 

Challenge Sailcloth. When used for racing yachts, the 

fabric has proved to have an excellent flex life as well as 

good resistance to UV radiation. Furthermore, fabrics 

based on Pentex can be heat-set and shrunk at elevated 

temperatures which produces a sailcloth that has the 

durability of a woven material but which compares in 

performance with a laminate, according to Challenge 

Sailcloth. Details are given. 

ALLIEDSIGNAL INC. 

USA 


Item 258 


9, No.15, 9th June 1997, p.28 

COLD NOT REQUIRED FOR ICE SKATING 

ANYMORE 

Esposito F 

This article describes Super Ice, a product manufactured 

by Super Ice America of Colorado Springs. Super Ice is a 

hard plastic surface marketed as a low-cost substitute for 

ice rinks. The product is made of sections of high density 

polyethylene attached to both sides of a thin piece of 

wood. The sections are joined using a slip tongue-and 

groove system, holding the panels in place. The product 

is said to have 90% of the glide factor of real ice and has 

a life of at least five years. 

SUPER ICE AMERICA 

USA 


Item 259 


9, No.16, 16th June 1997, p.25 

PLASTICS HELP SNOWMOBILES LOSE 

WEIGHT 

Pryweiler J 

In what could open the door to a sparkling new market 

for gas-assisted injection moulding, Mid-Central Plastics 

has started making snowmobile bumpers in long-fibrereinforced 

thermoplastics for Arctic Cat. The front 

bumpers, which went into production in April, represent 

an uncommon marriage of long-fibre materials to gas- 



assisted moulding. In the past, reinforced fibres have been 

considered by many industry experts to lack the impact 

strength needed for a gas-assisted structural part. That 

especially was true for parts operating at low winter 

temperatures, according to Polymer Composites, the 

compounder providing the bumper material. Arctic Cat, 

based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, is installing the 

thermoplastic panels on about half of its snowmobiles 

currently in production. The line includes its redesigned, 

high-visibility ZR-Series snowcraft, which is used both 

for competitive racing and recreation, and its economyminded 

Jag and Puma models and ZL series. Details are 

given. 

MID-CENTRAL PLASTICS INC.; ARCTIC CAT INC. 

USA 


Item 260 


11, No.7, July 1997, p.1/4 

MAINSTREAMING THE MARKET 

This article looks at the many uses that recycled rubber is 

being put to, by the Recycled Rubber Technologies 

division of Emert Grinding & Machine, of Pennsylvania, 

USA. Applications include: driveways, basketball courts, 

playground surfaces, wheelchair ramps, stair surfaces and 

decorative planters. 

RECYCLED RUBBER TECHNOLOGIES; EMERT 

GRINDING & MACHINE; DURA FLEX 

USA 


Item 261 


69, No.14, 24th July 1997, p.70/4 

ADVANCED MATERIALS TURN IN AN “ALL 

PRO” PERFORMANCE 

Hotter D S 

Sporting goods increasingly employ sophisticated 

materials. Hockey sticks use graphite composites to 

transfer more energy to the puck and make sticks lighter 

and easier to manoeuvre. Hangers moulded from Zytel 

nylon attach in-line skate wheels to a metal sole plate. 

Snowboards utilise RIM structural foam for the boards 

and PU components for the binding systems. THV 

fluoropolymer from Dyneon plays an important part as 

window material on both kayak sails and tents. Buoyant 

fly-fishing fins are being made using Engage polyolefin 

elastomers. 

USA 


Item 262 


5, No.7, July 1997, p.58 

SNOWSHOES EVOLVE TO THERMOPLASTIC 

To make the sport of snowshoeing more accessible to the 

general public, Redfeather Design has designed a 

thermoplastic version of its traditional aluminium-framed 

shoe and plans to retail it for half the price. The snowshoe, 

called the Penguin, consists of an injection moulded frame 

and a deck to which the shoes are bound. Triax, an ABS 

blend from Bayer, was chosen for the frame, which 

actually consists of two identical halves connected by a 

living hinge. The shoe deck is made from Pellethane, a 

TPU from Dow. 

REDFEATHER DESIGN 

USA 


Item 263 

Utech Asia ’97. Conference proceedings. 

Suntec City, 18th-20th Feb.1997, Paper 58. 43C6 

OUTSOLES MADE FROM SOLID 

POLYURETHANE AS ADVANTAGEOUS 

ALTERNATIVE TO RUBBER 

Brecht K; Eschmeier T; Michels E 

Bayer (Singapore) Pte.Ltd. 

Edited by: Reed D; Ward S 

(Crain Communications Ltd.; Rapra Technology Ltd.) 

Bayflex TT is a new type of material for the manufacture 

of solid outsoles. It joins Bayflex TR, whose typical 

quality characteristics are outlined, as another polyetherbased 

PU speciality in the Bayflex T product range. 

Particular attention is given to the outstanding ageing 

resistance of Bayflex TT, which ensures a consistently 

high level of properties throughout its lengthy service life. 

Of special interest to the shoe industry, which is 

particularly influenced by fashion trends, is the wide range 

of variations that this material allows in the production 

of highly transparent outsoles. In addition to the much 

sought-after ‘crepe look’, it is now possible to incorporate 

visible functional elements into the sole material. Bayflex 

TT can be produced in all the hardnesses typically required 

for sole production (ranging from Shore A 55-80), and 

when combined with mid-soles made from Bayflex T 

systems, for example, constitutes an ideal soling material 

for leisure, sports, fashion and work shoes. 

SINGAPORE 


Item 264 


43, No.7, July 1997, p.35 

CONCURRENT DESIGN, PROTOTYPING AND 

TOOLING SPEED HOCKEY HELMET TO 

MARKET 

Ogando J 

Design engineers at Itech Sport Products are acquainted 

with the difficulties of designing a new hockey helmet. 

Today’s helmet must have a feature-rich design with vents 



and mechanical attachment points for face masks and 

other accessories. Not only does it have to meet stringent 

safety and ergonomic requirements, it also has to be 

aesthetically pleasing. Helmet designs also have to get to 

market quickly to compete in the time-sensitive sportinggoods 

marketplace. Concurrent engineering is reported 

to have helped Itech take a new hockey helmet from 

concept to hard tooling in about six months. Its TH-70 

helmet combines an injection moulded nylon shell with 

EPP and EVA foams. With the help of ZYZX Designs, 

Itech has made use of 3D CAD/CAM and rapid 

prototyping to enable development of the helmet design, 

injection tooling and EPP foam fabrication to proceed 

simultaneously. The helmet design starts with the human 

head, and the engineering team first had to bring all of 

Itech’s research on head shapes and sizes into a 3D CAD 

design environment - in this case, Cadkey software from 

Baystate Technologies. Details are given. 

ITECH SPORT PRODUCTS; BAYSTATE 

TECHNOLOGIES INC. 

CANADA; USA 


Item 265 

High Technology Composites in Modern Applications. 

Symposium proceedings. 

Corfu, 18th-22nd Sept.1995, p.257-65. 627 

DESIGN AND PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURE OF 

COMPOSITE BICYCLE FRAME 

Katsanis D; Grove S M 

Plymouth,University 

(Patras,University) 

The design and construction of a prototype cycle frame 

intended for sprint racing is described. Preliminary 

materials selection and detailed specification of composite 

ply lay up sequence are based on the results of computeraided 

laminate analysis and on static tests on representative 

coupons. The frame design is based on the overall 

requirements of aerodynamics (but without detailed 

calculation), and the need for a low sideways area 

concentrated close to the rear wheel. An important design 

consideration is that the cycle should accept standard 

fittings (wheels, forks, etc.) Initially, the bicycle is 

conceived as a ‘one off’. The work is undertaken in the 

context of an undergraduate student project, so that very 

little funding is available for tooling. The frame is 

manufactured by hand lay-up on a foam core - a laborious 

process requiring hand finishing, but with low risk, allowing 

continual monitoring of quality. Both wet lay-up and 

carbon/epoxy prepreg materials are used, and vacuum bag 

and autoclave processing give good laminate consolidation. 

Aluminium bottom bracket shell, head tube and rear dropouts 

are bonded to the foam core and integrally laminated 

in the frame. The finished frame is subjected to a series of 

static tests to verify its stiffness. Details are given. 13 refs. 




Item 266 

Chemical and Engineering News 

75, No.30, 28th July 1997, p.23-4 

CARBON FIBRE MARKET REVS UP 

Kirschner E M 

The US carbon fibre industry, with government backing, 

has been seeking new outlets for the specialty fibres. With 

costs reduced through technologies and non-aerospace 

grades with relaxed requirements, carbon fibres have 

worked their way into sporting goods and industrial uses. 

Zoltek has been building up capacity while other 

companies were closing down. In 1995, the carbon fibre 

market was 25 million lb and by 2000 the requirement 

will be about 100 million lb. Grafil has been sold out for 

the last 18 months. Its process improvements have 

recently increased production to 1.75 million lb/year from 

1.5 million lb. 

USA 


Item 267 


151, No.6, June 1997, p.49-50 

FIBRE-REINFORCED PLASTICS IMPROVE 


Buck M; Dorf M 

Quadrax Corp. 

Fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites are advanced 

materials that have been used almost exclusively in such 

military applications as F-22 fighters and Seawolf 

submarines. These composites, typically nylon resins 

reinforced with carbon fibres, became attractive for sports 

goods when prices were slashed by as much as 97% in 

1994. Composites priced at levels as high as 200 US 

dollars/lb were cut to 26 US dollars/lb for carbon fibre/ 

nylon 6 resin composites, and to 6 US dollars/lb for glass/ 

PP composites, making commercially affordable material 

properties previously unavailable in recreational 

equipment. Sports goods can benefit from high 

performance materials. In particular, it has been 

determined that flat and tubular sporting goods 

components are some of the easiest to manufacture. For 

example, a lacrosse stick was in production within six 

months of the first prototype. Other such products include 

golf club shafts, bicycle handlebars, and hockey sticks. 

The composite properties that are attractive for sports 

equipment are reviewed, as are fabrication methods and 

examples of composite products currently available. 

USA 


Item 268 


No.3, 1996, p.6-7 

SAFER SHIFTS FOR BIKERS 

Picou A 



DuPont France 

This article highlights the use of two engineering polymers 

from DuPont in the manufacture of gear shifters for 

mountain bicycles manufactured by Sachs Industries, the 

French bicycle supplier. The two materials selected are 

Delrin (an acetal homopolymer resin) and Zytel (glass 

fibre reinforced nylon). Full details are given. 




Item 269 


No.3, 1996, p.5-6 

SYSTEM FOR VISION 

Zufferey P 

DuPont International 

This article highlights the selection of two engineering 

polymers from DuPont for the manufacture of the new 

“technical Vision System” winter sport’s goggles from 

the Scott Sports Group. Both Delrin (an acetal 

homopolymer resin) and Hytrel (a thermoplastic 

elastomer) were chosen. Details are given. 



Item 270 


87, No.1, Jan.1997, p.26-7 


SPEED ON ICE 

Zimmermann D 

This article explores the design and material development 

for a composite ice skate blade. The demands on both the 

design and the material are considered. The base material 

chosen was an injection-mouldable, high-impact-resistant 

polyamide with 35 percent GRP. Details are given. 

FROGDESIGN; WST 




Item 271 


9, No.8, 21st April 1997, p.7 

BRIT MOLDER SEEKS U.S. BACKERS FOR 

GOLF SHAFT 

Renstrom R 

Jordan Golf, a subsidiary of Tamworth Plastics, is seeking 

to establish business relationships with manufacturers of 

golf clubs and shafts, particularly in the US, it is reported. 

The company has developed a process by which a gasassisted 

injection moulded part and a wrap are produced, 

rather than the usual wrapping of pre-impregnated carbon 

fibre and epoxy around a removable mandrel. The 

moulded piece takes the place of a mandrel, but is not 

removed. Advantages of the design are discussed, together 

with the efforts of the company to seek investment. 

TAMWORTH PLASTICS LTD.; JORDAN GOLF 

LTD.; DIAMOND GOLF LTD. 




Item 272 

Rubber India 

48, No.12, Dec.1996, p.55 

COSCO: CATERING SPORTS GOODS MARKET 

This article focuses the spotlight on Cosco (India) Ltd., 

winner of the AIRIA export award for sports goods for 

the 1995-96 period. The company manufactures basket 

balls, footballs, rugby balls, hand-balls, net-balls, water 

polo balls, tennis balls, and table tennis balls. The article 

also includes a brief company profile. 

COSCO (INDIA) LTD. 

AUSTRALIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; 

FRANCE; GERMANY; GREECE; INDIA; ITALY; JAPAN; NEW 

ZEALAND; PORTUGAL; SOUTH AMERICA; UK; USA; 



Item 273 

151st ACS Rubber Division Meeting, Spring 1997, 

Conference Preprints. 

Anaheim, Ca., 6th-9th May 1997, Paper 46, pp.7. 012 

POLYURETHANE RUBBER OUTSOLES FOR 

ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR 

Ahnemiller J 

TSE Industries Inc. 


Applications of polyether- and polyester-urethane 

elastomers in abrasion resistant and transparent outsoles 

for sports shoes are reviewed. 

USA 


Item 274 




DEVELOPMENT OF AN OUTSOLE COMPOUND 

FOR OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR 

Winston J; Ames K 

Nike Inc. 


The development of an outsole compound for outdoor 

footwear requiring high dynamic wet traction and 

adequate abrasion resistance is discussed. Initial materials 

screening was undertaken by laboratory testing a number 

of formulations based on standard thermoset elastomers 

such as polybutadiene, SBR, NR, nitrile rubber, EPDM, 



polychloroprene and halobutyl rubber. This was followed 

by laboratory tests on production grade prototype products 

and field tests on footwear with soles made from the most 

promising materials. The laboratory tests included 

mechanical traction tests on materials specimens and 

shoes on wet and dry rock surfaces yielding dynamic 

coefficient of friction data. These tests accurately 

predicted the final field test results. 1 ref. 

USA 


Item 275 




DESIGNING FOR APPROPRIATE ATHLETIC 

SHOE OUTSOLE TRACTION 

Valiant G A 

Nike Sport Research Laboratory 


An examination is made of methods for determining the 

traction requirements for sports shoe outsoles by 

measuring shear and normal ground reaction force 

components with a force measurement platform covered 

with playing surfaces. Ratios formed from the force 

components define the minimum coefficient of friction 

(CoF). Results are presented of studies using a method 

which loads shoes with adjustable vertical forces 

exceeding body weight, pulls them at high sliding 

velocities along any horizontal axis, and accommodates 

various playing surfaces rigidly mounted on a force 

platform. CoF is calculated from sampled friction and 

normal forces. Shoes are also rotated about a vertical axis 

to quantify frictional resistance to rotation. 10 refs. 

USA 


Item 276 




THERMOPLASTIC RUBBER AS A SHOE 

SOLING 

Carter A R; Turner R H 

SATRA Footwear Technology Centre 


Applications of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer 

thermoplastic elastomers in shoe soles are examined. 

Injection moulding conditions and compounding 

techniques aimed at optimising properties are discussed, 

and methods for measuring wear resistance, coefficient of 

friction and flex cracking resistance are described. A surface 

chlorination process developed by SATRA to promote 

bonding with PU adhesives is also outlined. 1 ref. 




Item 277 

Shell Chemicals Europe Magazine 

No.8, April 1997, p.26 

IN THE SWING 

The standard method of producing graphite fibrereinforced 

golf clubs is to wind prepreg carbon fibre tape 

around a steel mandrel; the mandrel is then removed. 

Tamworth Plastics has opted for an alternative approach 

of making an injection moulded core, winding prepreg 

carbon fibre tape around this, but leaving the injection 

moulded component in place to form an integral part of 

the shaft. The use of gas-assisted injection moulding is 

critical to the success of this approach; details are given. 

TAMWORTH PLASTICS LTD. 

USA 


Item 278 

Injection Moulding International 

2, No.2, April/May 1997, p.25-7 

SPEED ON ICE: DESIGN AND MATERIAL 

DEVELOPMENT FOR AN ICE SKATE BLADE 

The rapid growth in material and processing technology 

makes it essential for plastics manufacturers, 

mouldmakers and designers to keep in close touch. In the 

development of plastics components, the properties of the 

material and its processing behaviour should be taken into 

account right at the draft design stage. The material and 

technological studies of Frogdesign, a design agency in 

Altensteig, Germany, and of WST, a manufacturer of 

sports articles in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, led 

to the selection of a suitable plastic and to a creative design 

for an ice skate blade. The use of an injection mouldable, 

high-impact polyamide with 35% glass fibre 

reinforcement to produce the component is described. 

FROGDESIGN GMBH; FROGDESIGN INC. 




Item 279 


11, No.5, May 1997, p.8 

CROWN 111 TOP DRESSING EXPECTED TO 

USE 10% OF 1997 CRUMB RUBBER 

PRODUCTION 

Michigan State University’s patented use of crumb rubber 

as a turf top dressing is described, and the success of its 

exclusive license JaiTire Industries is discussed. Over two 

million pounds of crumb rubber from recycled tyres has 

been sold by JaiTire under its Crown 111 tradename, 

which is more than 1% of the 1996 national production. 

1997 sales are expected to consume up to 10% of the 

national production. 

MICHIGAN,STATE UNIVERSITY; JAITIRE 

INDUSTRIES 



USA 


Item 280 


12, No.70, April 1997, p.46 

OIMA TARGETS SPORTS GOODS 

The formation of injection moulding machine 

manufacturer Oima in 1976 is reported to have originated 

from the idea of producing a machine to mould ski boot 

shells. This business developed so successfully that the 

company has supplied 90% of the machines in Italy that 

are used for ski boot production in an industry 

established in the town of Montebelluna, near to the 

Oima factory. Montebelluna is recognised as the 

European centre for moulding of ski boot shells in 

thermoplastic PU on Oima’s Lotus range of vertical, 

clamp injection machines. Current output of Lotus 

usually totals around 15,20 machines a year; the 

company believes that a big market for the machines is 

likely to develop in Asia. The company expects much 

of the global demand for sports goods, such as ski boots, 

moulded ice hockey boots and roller blade footwear, to 

move to Asia and it is keen to obtain as much of the 

investment in new machinery as possible for the Lotus 

series, which is capable of the two-colour production 

that this fashion conscious market demands. As a result, 

Oima is looking for a local partner, either in China or 

Japan, to help it establish a strong presence in an industry 

that has the potential for 100 machines a year. Details 

are given. 

OIMA SPA 

CHINA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; 

ITALY; JAPAN; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 281 

Plastics Progress 

7, No.2, Fall 1996, p.6-7 

FOAM PRODUCT LINE HAS WIDE VARIETY 

OF END USES 

Dylite expandable PS (EPS) and Arcel expandable 

ethylene-styrene copolymer are reported to comprise the 

foam product line that Nova Chemicals has acquired from 

Arco Chemical. These two materials have broad utility 

and are used extensively in a spectrum of applications. 

Dylite EPS is used in foam beverage cups, protective 

packaging of many consumer goods, and insulation and 

flotation applications. The cost-effective materials offers 

excellent impact and thermal performance. Tough yet 

flexible Arcel foam is used for reusable packaging, 

helmets, jet skis and ‘boogie boards’ - applications where 

durability is a key requirement. Details are given. 

NOVA CHEMICALS; ARCO CHEMICAL CO. 

USA 


Item 282 

Modern Tire Dealer 

78, No.2, Feb.1997, p.16/20 

WAVING THE FLAGSHIP MANUFACTURERS 

SALUTE THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRES 

Ulrich R 

A flagship brand is said to seldom make much of an impact 

in a tyre manufacturer’s overall sales. It is often the 

company’s high profile, ultra-high performance niche tyre. 

Nonetheless, the flagship brand sends a positive message 

to the tyre-buying public about every tyre in the line, from 

premium to entry level. During February 1997, Goodyear 

is drawing attention to its new flagship brand. The Eagle 

F-1, for Formula One, high performance tyre line is said to 

signify the pinnacle of Goodyear high performance equity. 

Yokohama Tire, another domestic tyre marketer with 

significant high performance market share, introduced its 

AVS S1 during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in 

Las Vegas in 1996. It will be available to independent 

dealers next month. Both introductions follow on the heels 

of similar announcements from Michelin; details are given. 

GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO.; YOKOHAMA 

TIRE CORP.; MICHELIN GROUP 

USA 


Item 283 


41, No.4, April 1997, p.28 

RTM FORMS CARBON FIBRE BICYCLE 

FRAMES 

Diamond Back Racing is using carbon fibre technology 

to produce frames for its Vertex mountain bikes. The frame 

features carbon fibre tubes, manufactured by resin transfer 

moulding, which are assembled using TIG-welding 

technology. Liquid Control’s Compact Multiflow RTM 

machine is used to meter and mix an epoxy resin and 

hardener. The mixed epoxy is injected into the mould at 

very precise process conditions including temperature, 

pressure and flow rate. 

LIQUID CONTROL CORP. 

USA 


Item 284 


27, No.3, March 1997, p.56-9 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MARKETS DRIVE TPU 

INNOVATION, GROWTH 

O’Neill M 

Thermoplastic urethanes bridge the gap between rigid 

plastics and elastomers, and range from hard and stiff to soft 

and flexible. Dureflex 7018 greenhouse film from Bayer 

has a lifetime of some 10 years and has 95% light 

transmittance. Breathability of TPU films is exploited in 

hospital bed coverings, to allow perspiration to disperse and 



to decrease the incidence of pressure sores. Low-temperature 

flexible ski boot shells can be injection moulded from 

polyester or polyether TPUs. The abrasion resistance of TPU 

has had a great impact on the design of high-performance 

wheel and bearing structures of in-line skates. 

WORLD 


Item 285 


23, No.9, 1996, p.T/21-7 

FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITES IN 

LEISURE PRODUCTS 

Heitz E 

Parts made from fibre composites have been used in leisure 

and sports products for a long time. Their low weight in 

conjunction with the ability to absorb high forces means 

preference is given to fibre-reinforced plastics. Ingenious 

designs and special production procedures are used to 

produce high-tech products for this area of application. 

Bicycle production is increasingly making use of parts made 

from fibre composites based on aeronautical engineering 

principles; high standards found in this industry have now 

been transferred to the civilian and leisure sectors. Translation 

of Gummi Fasern Kunststoffe, No.8, 1996, p.646 




Item 286 


5, No.1, Jan.1997, p.10-1 

WINNING PITCH 

Spendlove P; Read J 

Sarco Ltd.; Nottingham,University 

Constructing a range of sports and safety surfaces is easier, 

quicker, and cheaper using a new impact absorbing asphalt 

based on reclaimed rubber. Traditional surfaces have been 

achieved by laying a conventional asphalt to provide a 

stable and level base upon which to lay a resin-bound rubber 

shock pad that provides the impact absorbing properties of 

the structure. A sand-filled synthetic grass carpet is laid 

over the shock pad to provide the playing surface. By 

developing an impact absorbing asphalt the two processes 

are reduced to one which is considerably cheaper. 




Item 287 


4, No.12, Dec.1996, p.80/2 

BAIT AND SWITCH, METALLOCENE-STYLE 

Maniscalco M 

Metallocenes, a relatively new class of polymer catalysts, 

are reported to be currently among the hottest topics with 

material suppliers. But what do resins that use metallocene 

catalysts have to offer moulders? Huston Plastics is using 

a polyolefin elastomer - Engage from DuPont Dow 

Elastomers - to replace a material formerly used to mould 

fins used for fly fishing, which deteriorated on exposure 

to petroleum. This ethylene octene copolymer material is 

produced via Dow’s Insite technology, which includes 

both process expertise and metallocene catalysts. Details 

are given. 

DUPONT DOW ELASTOMERS; HUSTON 

PLASTICS 

USA 


Item 288 


26, No.9, 2nd Dec.1996, p.7 

UNIVERSAL TURF BUYS SHREDDED RUBBER 

FIRM 

Higley J 

It is announced that Universal Turf Inc. of the USA has 

expanded its business by purchasing In En Tec Inc. to 

meet its needs for shredded rubber. Background details 

on the companies and the agreement are provided. 

UNIVERSAL TURF INC.; IN EN TEC INC. 

USA 


Item 289 

Cellular Polymers 

15, No.6, 1996, p.436-49 

RECYCLING OF AUTOMOTIVE FOAM/FABRIC 

LAMINATES BY INCORPORATION INTO 

REBONDED POLYURETHANE FOAM 

Sims G L A; Angus M W 

Manchester,University; UMIST 

PU foam waste has, for many years, been manufactured 

into rebonded foam for use in energy absorbance 

applications such as vibration and sound damping, 

sportsground surfacing and carpet underlay. Recent 

legislation places more responsibility on manufacturers 

to recycle rather than landfill polymeric waste, and is of 

major importance for PU components and fabric laminates 

used in the automotive industry. An investigation of the 

incorporation of polyester PU foam and foam/fabric 

laminates into rebonded foam using a prepolymer based 

on MDI is presented. Compression and fatigue properties 

of rebonded foam formed from granulated PU foam bound 

with prepolymer additions of 1-30% were determined in 

the density range 50-150 kg m-3. The effect of 

incorporating granulated PU foam/fabric laminate 

recycled from automotive seat covers into the chip foam 

was also assessed. 7 refs. 






Item 290 


86, No.11, Nov.1996, p.15-6 

CREATIVE DESIGN REQUIRED 

Creative design solutions are particularly required in the 

automotive, transport and sports sectors. They emphasise 

the individuality of the customer and so gain market 

acceptance. At the same time, they fix the corporate identity 

of branded products permanently in the memory. A liquid 

resin system based on dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), launched 

on the European market at the beginning of the 1990s, offers 

interesting and cost-optimised design options, particularly 

for large-volume components with long, complicated flow 

paths. Details are given. 

GOODRICH B.F.,CO. 




Item 291 

Rubber Trends 

No.4, 1996, p.31-7 

NON-TYRE RUBBER GOODS INDUSTRY IN 

INDONESIA 

Production of NR in Indonesia increased to almost 1.5m 

tons in 1995, making it the world’s second largest 

producer, accounting for almost 25% of total world 

production in 1995. Investments in the industry are 

stimulating further growth in output, which could 

approach 2m tons by 2020. Exports continue to account 

for more than 90% of output. Indonesia now produces a 

range of rubber-based intermediate and consumer goods 

for the domestic and export markets. Growth in non-tyre 

manufacturing has been led by the sports shoe industry, 

dipped latex goods and rubber products such as hoses, 

belts, seals and sports equipment. 

INDONESIA 


Item 292 


40, No.12, Dec.1996, p.9 

COMPOSITES IMPROVE SNOWBOARDS’ 

STRENGTH AND CONTROL 

Snowboard manufacturers are turning to the same 

advanced composite materials, processes and test methods 

that are used to fabricate other sports equipment. 

Aggression Snowboards makes use of TDR 1100-11 

epoxy resin adhesive from Ciba-Geigy. Burton 

Snowboards has developed high performance bindings 

using DuPont’s Tepex thermoplastic composite material. 

Tepex are custom-made sheet materials with glass, Kevlar 

or carbon fibres combined with thermoplastic resin such 

as polyamide, PETP or PBTP. 

CIBA-GEIGY CORP.; AGGRESSION 

SNOWBOARDS; DUPONT CO.; BURTON 

SNOWBOARDS CORP. 

USA 


Item 293 


23, No.11, Dec.1996, p.19 

DRIVING FORCE 

Anscombe N 

Tamworth Plastics has worked with LNP Engineering 

Thermoplastics to develop a golf club shaft produced 

using gas-assisted injection moulding. Tests have shown 

that the resulting club not only hits golf balls further, but 

also straighter than steel and graphite clubs. Tamworth 

Plastics uses Cinpres gas-assisted injection moulding 

technology to make the shaft core. The material is a carbon 

fibre reinforced nylon, with fibres longer than 2mm. 

TAMWORTH PLASTICS LTD. 




Item 294 


54, No.11, Nov.1996, p.15-6 

APPLAUSE FOR THE PARTS ON PARADE 

Schut J H 

This article outlines thermoforming’s technical awards 

for excellence announced at the Society of Plastics 

Engineers Thermoforming Division’s annual technical 

conference. These include an ABS enclosure for a lasersurgery 

device, a deep-drawn twin-sheet part for an 

exercise machine console, control panel covers for an X- 

ray table, a two-fold thin-walled package for printed 

circuit boards and an instrument panel for a GM truck. 

American Catalytic Technologies showed a new fluid/ 

gas proportional valve for programmable temperature 

control of gas catalytic heaters. 

USA 


Item 295 

Plastics Formulating & Compounding 

2, No.4, July/Aug.1996, p.42-3 

AQC AND THE OLYMPICS 

This article investigates the use of “Database for Quality” 

software by A. Schulman Inc. of the USA, the compounder 

that provided the coloured swimming pool lane-markers for 

the Atlanta Olympic Games. Schulman has implemented 

the automated quality management system software in five 

of its eleven plants, to store results of quality tests so that 

they are immediately available to everyone at the company. 

SCHULMAN A.,INC. 

USA 




Item 296 

Annales des Composites 

No.2, 1995, p.97-108 

French 

COMPOSITE STRUCTURE FOR A CLASSICAL 

DANCE FLOOR 

Landjerit B; Simon G; Barrey E 

CER-ENSAM; INRA 

Three types of composite structure, i.e. wooden beams 

and plates with foam supports and sandwich structures 

consisting of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy resin skins with 

foam or honeycomb cores, were evaluated for use as 

classical dance floors. The investigation involved 

computer modelling and accelerometry studies, and the 

vibration frequency and response to dynamic loading of 

the different floors were analysed. The combination of 

wooden beams and plates with elastic and vibration 

damping supports gave floors with good stiffness and 

damping characteristics. Sandwich structures with 

honeycomb cores also gave good results, but at a higher 

cost compared with wooden composites. Results for foam 

core sandwich structures indicated that they were not as 

suited to this application. 6 refs. 

ANGST & PFISTER 




Item 297 


8, No.32, 7th Oct.1996, p.35 

PLASTICS STILL APPEAL TO BICYCLE 

MAKERS 

Renstrom R 

Plastic applications are reported to be continuing to grow, 

but exhibitors at the Interbike international bicycle 

exposition displayed fewer material innovations than a 

few years ago. An outline of developments in this area is 

presented. 

TREK BICYCLES; GIANT BICYCLE INC.; 

VIATECH INC.; BONTRAGER CYCLES; SHIMANO 

INC.; QUALITY COMPOSITES INC. 

USA 


Item 298 


8, No.32, 7th Oct.1996, p.19 

OLYMPIC GROUP CLARIFIES STANCE ON 

PVC 

Tilley K 

Australia’s Olympic Coordination Authority has refused 

to rule out the use of PVC in facilities constructed for the 

2000 Olympics, despite a restriction included in 

environmental guidelines used to secure the Olympic bid. 

Sydney’s environmental guidelines for the 2000 Olympics 

include minimising, and ideally avoiding, the use of 

chlorine-based products such as PVC. Australia’s plastics 

industry was angered by the specific mention of PVC, 

which it blamed on Greenpeace Australia’s long-running 

campaign to ban PVC. Following requests from the 

plastics industry, the Sydney-based Olympic Coordination 

Authority clarified its position. In a statement, OCA said 

all building materials for Olympics facilities will be 

subject to impartial environmental scrutiny. All building 

components will be uniformly subject to life-cycle costing 

and consideration of environmental implications. Details 

are given. 

AUSTRALIA,OLYMPIC COORDINATION 

AUTHORITY 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 299 


26, No.5, 7th Oct.1996, p.23 

RUBBER DRESSING TOUGHENS FAIRWAYS 

Sowa S 

Denver-based scrap tyre processing and marketing 

company, Jai Tire Industries, believes that it has found a 

way to reduce the competition in the turf maintenance 

industry. It holds the marketing rights to what is thought 

to be a high-value use for crumb rubber. Jai Tire sells the 

recycled scrap tyre material to golf course and athletic 

field managers for use as a turf grass top-dressing. In hightraffic 

areas, the application of crumb rubber above the 

soil line protects the crown of the plant’s root system and 

reduces underlying compaction and scarring of the blade 

from the abrasiveness of sand. Details are given. 

JAI TIRE INDUSTRIES INC. 

USA 


Item 300 


8, No.23, 5th Aug.1996, p.15 

ROTO PLASTICS MAKES HEADWAY IN 

HELMETS 

Bregar B 

This article is a special report on the manufacture of 

seamless football helmet bladders. Rotational moulding is 

the only method of making these seamless bladders, and 

Roto Plastics Corp. of the USA is the only supplier. The 

process is highlighted, and the company briefly profiled. 

ROTOPLASTICS CORP. 

USA 


Item 301 


8, No.29, 16th Sept.1996, p.8 



QUADRAX SWINGS INTO GOLF WITH 

THERMOPLASTIC SHAFT 

Renstrom R 

Quadrax, a defence supplier has expanded into high 

performance thermoplastic golf shafts, and its Quadrax 

West Coast subsidiary has established a development 

centre and production line in Vista, Calif., near operations 

of major golf equipment manufacturers, it is reported. 

Details are given of the facilities capacities, and the 

contract with Taylor Made Golf Co., to develop new golf 

products that will use Quadrax’s unidirectional fibrereinforced 

thermoplastic tape. 

QUADRAX CORP. 

USA 


Item 302 


8, No.29, 16th Sept.1996, p.4 

PLASTICS HELP BUILD STRONG BODYBOARD 

MARKET 

Renstrom R 

The US and Australian bodyboard markets are examined, 

and the growth of plastic boards is discussed with 

comments from suppliers. The standard polyethylene 

foams are being replaced by PE hybrids as well as 

polypropylenes and crosslinked polystyrenes, it is 

reported. Details are given of bodyboards displayed at 

the Action Sports Retailer trade exposition in San Diego. 

USA 


Item 303 


8, No.29, 16th Sept.1996, p.4/67 

NOVICE SKATEBOARDS MAY BE PLASTICS’ 

NICHE 

Renstrom R 

The US skateboard market is examined, and the growth of 

plastic boards is discussed. Details are included of various 

manufacturers of skateboards, with comments on the 

market, designs and sales. Plastic skateboards may find a 

market in the beginner’s boards, it is claimed, with a cheaper 

injection moulded board but with the same quality wheels, 

bushings and grip tape as in the wooden counterparts. 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 

SKATEBOARD COS. 

USA 


Item 304 


68, No.19, 24th Oct.1996, p.53-6 

FOAM GOES FROM BUMPERS TO BIKE 

HELMETS 

Luhtanen M 

BASF Corp. 

The advantages offered by the use of expanded 

polypropylene in automotive bumper cores and other 

applications are considered, and its properties are 

compared with other materials traditionally used in such 

applications in terms of impact strength, energy 

absorption, resilience, and compressive strength. 

USA 


Item 305 

Chimica e l’industria 

77, No.6, June 1995, p.377-82 

Italian 

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL 

ASPECTS OF THE SKI 

Albanesi G 

Parma,University 

An examination is made of factors affecting the sliding 

on snow of materials used in skis, with particular reference 

to HDPE. The influence of waxes is also discussed. Data 

are presented for the coefficients of friction of a number 

of plastics and other materials. 10 refs. 

FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA SPORT INVERNALI 




Item 306 

Utech 96. Conference Proceedings. 

Hague, 26th-28th March 1996, Paper 47. pp.6. 43C6 

NOVEL POLYURETHANES FOOTWEAR 

TECHNOLOGY 

Bagaglio G; Limerkens N; Gugler K 

ICI Polyurethanes 


A new family of water blown systems for PU-based 

footwear based on Suprasec 2433, a multi-purpose soft 

block MDI prepolymer, has been introduced onto the 

market by ICI Polyurethanes. The synergistic 

combination of Suprasec 2433 with both polyether and 

polyester formulations has provided a number of 

benefits. The performance of this technology after two 

years of field experience is discussed in detail. Polyetherbased 

unit soles made with this technology, as well as 

direct-injection, single- and double-density soles for 

fashion, casual and sports shoes have a good aesthetic 

appeal, a natural feel and high definition. Sole failure 

has been virtually eliminated by this technology. The 

technology has also been used for heavy duty 

applications such as work boots, agricultural boots, 

Wellington boots and all-PU clogs. Improvements to low 

temperature flex life and hydrolytic stability have been 

made and microbiological resistance can be achieved 



without using potentially dangerous additives. Future 

developments are discussed. 2 refs. 




Item 307 

Utech 96. Conference Proceedings. 

Hague, 26th-28th March 1996, Paper 41, pp.8. 43C6 

MATERIALS CHARACTERISATION IN THE 

DESIGN OF CASTABLE POLYURETHANE 

PARTS 

Palinkas R 

Uniroyal Chemical Co. 


The process of choosing a cast PU elastomer for a given 

application is discussed. Various standard physical 

properties are described, and their usefulness for 

applications engineers is evaluated. Examples of impact 

bumpers, skate wheels and solid industrial tyres are given 

to show that choosing the appropriate material for a given 

application involves identifying the exact performance 

criteria, establishing the correct material properties which 

optimise performance and evaluating the properties to get 

the best balance for the application. 3 refs. 

USA 


Item 308 


4, No.9, Sept.1996, p.61/6 

MARKET FOCUS 

A product review is presented which gives details of new 

product designs in the fields of sports and leisure. The 

use of plastic materials and processing techniques have 

in each case improved the product. Examples cited include 

a kayak paddle, a safety mask, a fish hook removing tool, 

a scuba mask, a plastic bicycle hub, a polycarbonate outer 

and brass inner golf club face, fish lures, a hockey visor, 

and a nylon, two-way adjustable golf club. 

USA 


Item 309 


8, No.24, 12th Aug.1996, p.1/12 

GRIPPING GOLF STORY 

Sarkis Neaville L 

It is reported that when Softspikes introduced the first 

removable plastic cleat for golf shoes four years ago, it 

spurred a new, controversial market in golf. It’s a classic 

story of plastic (cleat) versus metal (spike), with plastic 

gaining ground as more and more golf courses ban metal 

spiked golf shoes due to turf damage. An overview of the 

market is presented. 

SOFTSPIKES INC.; MACNEILL ENGINEERING 

WORLDWIDE INC.; TRISPORT LTD. 




Item 310 


No.6, Sept.1996, p.16-7 

IT’S ALL IN THE BOUNCE 

Tretorn, a Swedish company, produces some of the 

world’s most advanced tennis balls at a manufacturing 

plant in Ireland. The pressureless ball gets its performance 

properties from the rubber and resin compound used in 

its construction. Shell Chemicals supplies butadiene 

rubber to the Tretorn plant. During manufacture, the 

rubber is processed into pellets, each of which becomes 

one half of a tennis ball. The outer felt covering is a special 

mix of wool, cotton and synthetic fibres. 

SHELL CHEMICALS EUROPE; TRETORN 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; IRELAND; 



Item 311 

SAMPE Journal 

32, No.4, July-Aug.1996, p.30-6 

HOW MATERIALS SELECTION AND 

MANUFACTURING METHODS INFLUENCE 

PRODUCT DESIGN IN THE BENETTON 

SPORTSYSTEM 

Davis S 

Benetton Sportsystem 

The Benetton Sportsystem is a collection of industryleading 

companies marketing state-of-the-art sporting 

goods products. A general overview is presented of the 

uniqueness of product design, material selection criteria, 

and manufacturing methods specific to each type of 

product. Emphasis is placed on Prince racquet products, 

Nordica ski boots, Rollerblade inline skates, Kastle skis 

and Asolo hiking boots. 

PRINCE SPORTS GROUP INC. 

AUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; 

ITALY; USA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 312 

SAMPE Journal 

32, No.4, July-Aug.1996, p.12-9 

21ST CENTURY MARKET OPPORTUNITIES 

FOR ADVANCED FIBRES AND COMPOSITES 

Segal C L 

OMNIA 

High-strength, high-modulus fibres based upon either 

carbon, organic polymers, or ceramics are relatively new 

materials. Full-scale commercial production of these 



fibres began within the last 25 years. Current sales of 

advanced fibres are measured in thousands of tons per 

year, not in hundreds of thousands of tons per year, as are 

sales of glass structural fibres. Selling prices are measured 

in tens of dollars per pound as compared to dollars per 

pound for glass fibres. Therefore, advanced fibres must 

still be considered as speciality materials that will be 

selected based only upon their high performance. While 

much thanks is due to the aerospace and sporting goods 

industries for keeping the interest in advanced fibres and 

composites alive, it is generally agreed that the market 

will not grow (and prices will not decline) until these fibres 

are accepted in the industrial market. Industrial market 

opportunities are identified for advanced fibres and 

composites in the next century. Specific, potential 

applications are cited, and the estimated volumes and 

values of these applications given. 

USA 


Item 313 


26, No.9, Sept.1996, p.33-4 

BIKE OF THE FUTURE MAY BE CHEAP, 

UNIVERSAL AND PLASTIC 

Seirer A 

A composite bicycle took first place in the 1996 Owens- 

Corning Global Design Challenge. A team from the 

University of Sao Paulo designed a bike, named the 

Kangaroo for the shape of its frame, which can be adjusted 

to fit most riders and could be made available to 

consumers for less than 100 US dollars. The bicycle frame, 

rear-arm and seat-pillar are moulded in SMC 30% glass 

fibre-reinforced polyester. Ross Bicycles recently 

launched a thermoplastic PU bike reinforced with 40% 

carbon fibre and long glass fibre. 

OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLAS CORP. 

USA 


Item 314 

Plastics in Canada 

3, No.1, Feb/March 1996, p.69 

TRICOR FILLS CANADIAN VOID IN GOLF 

BALL MANUFACTURING 

Tricor Golf Ball Manufacturing is reported to have 

become Canada’s only golf ball producer. Tricor’s first 

golf balls came off the company’s used, 250 ton Trueblood 

vertical injection moulding machine in December. Plans 

are to produce 3,000-5,000 balls daily for the domestic 

and American markets. Like so many plastics 

entrepreneurs, Talarico and his four partners Frank Bosco, 

Tony Gigliotti, Nick Aiello, and a silent partner were not 

moulders when they decided to enter this competitive 

field. But they did see an opportunity. Some company 

information is presented. 

TRICOR GOLF BALL MANUFACTURING INC.; 

GENESIS PLASTIC MACHINERY LTD. 

CANADA 


Item 315 

Advanced Composites Bulletin 

Sept.1996, p.4 

BALSA CORE GIVES SUPERIOR DURABILITY 

Marine surveyor David Pascoe of Fort Lauderdale, 

Florida, USA, is reported to have determined that 

composite boats with a sandwich construction 

incorporating balsa cores are better in resistance damage 

than boats with monolithic hulls or cored with foam 

plastics. Baltek is aggressively promoting the use of balsa 

cores in the marine industry. An emerging trend seems to 

be the adoption of balsa core construction when a 

company uses the Seeman Composites resin infusion 

moulding process (SCRIMP). SCRIMP is a variant of 

resin transfer moulding adapted for large scale structures 

such as boat hulls. A good example of the simultaneous 

use of SCRIMP and balsa is provided by Hinckley of 

Southwest Harbor, Maine. Details are given. 

BALTEK CORP. 

USA 


Item 316 


18, No.14, Iss.405, 22nd July 1996, p.2-3 

COMPOSITES GOLF SHAFTS INCREASE 

DOMINATION OF CAPACITY AND SUPPLY 

At the local SAMPE chapter meeting held recently in 

San Diego, JCT Sports reported on some market research 

into the composites golf market. The area from Los 

Angeles to Tijuana, mainly San Diego County, is known 

widely as the Golf Coast of America, because all of the 

companies in shaft and club manufacturing are located 

here - Aidila and Aidila Mexico, UniFiber, HST, 

Grafalloy, Quadrax, AJT, West Coast Composites, 

Callaway, Taylor Made, Cobra, Apollo Golf, Composites 

Dynamics, Easton Composites, Fujikura Composites 

America, Players Golf, and more. Callaway may reach 

700 million US dollars in 1996 golf equipment sales, 

while Aidila is expected to make 58 million and HST 

50 million US dollars in composites shaft sales. Aidila 

alone makes over 400,000 graphite fibre and epoxy 

shafts per month. Production may be in the region of 

143,000,000 annually. This includes shafts made with 

all materials. However, the demand for shafts currently 

is estimated at only 55% of that figure, which might 

explain the dramatic price drop in composite shafts over 

the last year. Details are given. 

SAMPE 

USA; WORLD 




Item 317 


8, No.17, 24th June 1996, p.1/31 

COMPOSITE BLADE’S DESIGN MAKES FOR 

SMOOTHER SKATING 

Couretas J 

A German inventor with a love for the game of ice hockey 

has come up with a novel design for a skate blade that never 

needs sharpening. After a decade of development work, 

Holger Wuerthner introduced the new T’blade design in 1996 

at a sporting goods trade fair in Munich, Germany, and a 

rapid prototyping exhibition near Detroit. The T’blade, 

marketed by Wuerthner Sport-Technologie of Germany is a 

novel, three-piece design incorporating a replaceable, plasticmetal 

blade secured to an injection moulded base with a 

metal stabiliser. The T’blade skater can change the blade by 

removing the stabilising rib, which is attached to the blade 

base with six screws. Details are given. 

WUERTHNER SPORT-TECHNOLOGIE 




Item 318 

Waste News 

2, No.3, 3rd June 1996, p.17 

RECYCLERS SEE GOOD NEWS FOR TYRES 

Mikolajczyk S J 

Recycling company representatives who comprise the 

International Tire & Rubber Association’s one-year-old 

Tyre & Rubber Recycling Advisory Council are said to 

have provided an industry overview comprised of advice 

and optimism at the association’s trade show in Louisville, 

May 1996. Based on assessments by several council 

members, crumb rubber markets are in an expansion mode, 

with the biggest growth being in tyre-derived fuel, followed 

by usage in products as diverse as playground equipment, 

flooring, lumber and ground coverings. Details are given. 

US,TIRE & RUBBER RECYCLING ADVISORY 

COUNCIL; INTERNATIONAL TIRE & RUBBER 

ASSOCIATION; ROUSE RUBBER INDUSTRIES 

INC. 

USA 


Item 319 


69, No.465, March 1995, p.233-8 

Spanish 

DESIGN OF A COMPOSITE MOUNTAIN 

BICYCLE 

Pages P; Arbiol J 

Catalunya,Universitat Politecnica 

An account is given of the development of a mountain 

bicycle having a frame made of carbon fibre-reinforced 

epoxy resin. 5 refs. 

INGENIERIA DE COMPOSITES; FONTANALS 

COMPOSITES 




Item 320 

Plast’ 21 

No.43, May 1995, p.61-6 

Spanish 

APPLICATIONS OF ORGANIC MATRIX 

COMPOSITES IN BOATS 

Vilas J L 

Compoplas 

Applications of composites and sandwich structures in 

boat and ship construction are reviewed, and reference is 

also made to some other marine applications of these 

materials. Types and properties of resins and 

reinforcements and fabrication methods used in marine 

craft construction are examined, and trends in the use of 

prepregs are discussed. 




Item 321 


86, No.6, June 1996, p.33-4 

FIBRE-REINFORCED PLASTICS FOR 

OLYMPIC CANOE 

Bohme D 

Design, material selection and processing method are very 

important to the success of the Canadian one-man canoe 

(Cl, manufactured by FES, Berlin), which is to be part of 

the German Canoe Association’s fleet at the 1996 Olympic 

Games in Atlanta/USA. Fibre-reinforced composites 

based on carbon and aramid fibres demonstrate their 

specific performance range to particularly good effect 

here. The design has two requirements to fulfil: reduction 

of the resistance which the Cl offers to the water, and 

improvement in the ratio of propulsion forces to steering 

forces. Details are given. 




Item 322 


86, No.6, June 1996, p.32-3 

SAILING BOATS MADE FROM ARAMID FIBRE 

LAMINATES 

Van den Bos A L 

High-performance aramid fibres have recently been used 

successfully as reinforcing materials for polyester boats. 

The excellent impact strength of these fibres increases the 

safety of sailing yachts and motor boats. The light weight 



coupled with high rigidity of these materials achieves a 

reduction in motor boat fuel consumption. Since aramid 

fibres (Twaron, manufactured by Akzo Nobel) are now 

finding wide application, certain types of woven and nonwoven 

fabric can be standardised, which benefits the cost 

structure. Fibre properties, such as light weight, high 

tenacity, rigidity and impact strength, make these 

reinforcing materials suitable for boat construction. 




Item 323 


8, No.12, 20th May 1996, p.4 

NAUTICRAFT LAUNCHES ROTOMOULDED 

BOAT PLAN 

Neaville L S 

Nauticraft Corp., of Michigan, is to install its first 

rotational moulding machine to begin converting a 

fibreglass pedal boat to rotomoulded polyethylene. The 

article supplies details of the company’s background, its 

current activities and products. The switch to rotomoulded 

PE was brought about because the fibreglass model was 

not commercially viable. 

NAUTICRAFT CORP. 

USA 


Item 324 


39, No.4, April 1995, p.43-7 

Italian 

WHAT IF THE SEVEN LEAGUE BOOTS HAD 

HAD RUBBER SOLES? 

Applications of rubbers in footwear are examined, with 

particular reference to PU elastomers. Developments by 

a number of Italian companies in polymers, compounds 

and processing machinery for footwear manufacture are 

reviewed, and some statistics are presented for the Italian 

footwear industry. 




Item 325 


No.740, April 1995, p.71-2 

French 

ETHER-AMIDE BLOCK COPOLYMERS ON 

THE STARTING BLOCKS 

Tron L; Chassaing J 

Elf Atochem SA; Adidas AG 

Applications of Elf Atochem’s Pebax ether-amide block 

copolymer thermoplastic elastomers in soles for sports 

footwear are described. Properties which make these 

materials particularly suitable for such applications are 

examined. 




Item 326 

Utech ’92. Conference proceedings. 

Hague, 31st March-2nd April 1992, p.150-5. 43C6 

NEW POLYMERIC POLYESTERS AND THEIR 

APPLICATION IN MICROCELLULAR 

ELASTOMERS FOR SHOE SOLES 

Monso J M; Soler J; Blanch J; Escobar P; Rodriguez F 

L; Garcia J 

Hoocker SA 

(Crain Communications Ltd.) 

Polyesters suited to the formulation of PU microcellular 

elastomers are described. The particle size of the 

dispersion exerts an important influence upon product 

stability, as well as its value as a reinforcing agent for the 

finished plastic. Parameters influencing the synthesis of 

products are explained, specifically the use of specific 

dispersants. The efficiency of three of them is compared 

by determining particle size; this study is made by 

Scanning Electron Microscopy with a JEOL JSM 840 

apparatus, presenting a white polymeric polyester with 

small particle size (0.2 microns) as an optimised product. 

The modification of mechanical properties by using 

polymeric polyesters is studied in microcellular 

elastomers, and tests are made with a GUSBI machine 

P40/D2 in an elastomer of 400 Kg/m3 and with increasing 

quantities of polymeric up to 50%. The increase in 

hardness and the variations of tensile strength, elongation, 

tear strength and flexural properties relating to the 

percentage of polymeric are compared. The economy 

obtained by savings of isocyanate requirements in systems 

using polymeric polyesters is quantified, selecting for this 

purpose: low density mid-soles and standard sport shoes 

of medium hardness.12 refs. 




Item 327 


4, No.6, June 1996, p.44 

SKI GOGGLE FIT WITH RP TECHNOLOGY 

Maniscalco M 

The use of stereolithography techniques to solve design 

problems with a ski goggle, is described. Prototype 

Express collaborated with Smith Sport Optics, to avert a 

seeming disaster when the goggle’s critical fit between 

the nose and cheek region left a gap. The use of rapid 

prototyping, enabled a saving of 125,000 US dollars in 

tool rework costs, and 8-10 weeks in the project cycle. 



PROTOTYPE EXPRESS 

USA 


Item 328 


25, No.21, 6th May 1996, p.24-5 

MONDO MAKES MARK AS OLYMPIC 

SUPPLIER 

Meyer B 

Mondo America Inc. is the sole supplier to the 1996 

Atlanta Olympic games of sports track. The company is 

providing nine track surfaces for Atlanta including 

training track. Mondo of Lavel Quebec, has invested a 

lot of money and effort to get into the US, and sees the 

Atlanta games as the perfect opportunity to advertise their 

name. Details are given of their product range which 

includes 9 different sports surfaces for different 

applications. Its premium running track is a two layer 

construction with EPDM on the top layer for spike and 

weather resistance, and natural rubber on the bottom for 

comfort and shock absorbency. 

MONDO AMERICA INC. 

CANADA 


Item 329 


25, No.19, 8th April 1996, p.20 

SKATE WHEEL MAKERS CRUISING 

Truini J 

The popularity in the US of in-line skating has provided 

manufacturers of polyurethane wheels with a growing 

outlet for their goods. The leading US company, 

Rollerblade Inc., claims to have sold 12 million pairs of 

skates in 1994, 6 million more than in the previous year. 

As well as the rapid growth, the demands for improved 

performance are being met in terms of durability and wet 

traction performance. The key suppliers and 

manufacturers are noted with their comments on the 

popularity of the sport. 

USA 


Item 330 


No.5, April 1996, p.7-9 

TAKING TYRES OFF THE SCRAP HEAP 

Johnston J 

Shell Chemicals Europe 

Rosehill Polymers’ involvement in the Eureka project 

EU446 is described. The project was conceived to develop 

a process whereby scrap rubber tyres and plastic bottles 

could be recycled in combination with a PU binder to 

produce marketable end products such as safety surfaces 

for children’s playgrounds, running tracks and tennis 

courts. The PU prepolymer took four years to develop 

and is based on the reaction between a blend of polyols 

such as those from Shell’s Caradol range, and MDI. The 

PU binders produced by Rosehill are one-part and solvent 

free, relying on atmospheric moisture for final curing. 

Other applications involving the use of polyurethanebound 

rubbers are also described. 

ROSEHILL POLYMERS 




Item 331 


149, No.5, May 1996, p.4 

COMPOSITES LIGHTEN SUPERFAST 

SAILBOAT 

A flying sailing vessel called the Hydroptere is under 

construction in France by Matra Defense of Velizy- 

Villacou-blay Cedex, and Dassault Aviation of 

Caucresson. The craft, which incorporates both 

aeronautical and nautical technology, is being made ready 

to attempt a series of record-breaking crossings of the 

Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans 

in 1997. The boat is an 18-meter-long hydrofoil trimaran 

with foils mounted under the sponsons between the hulls. 

To limit weight while optimising rigidity, high 

performance composite materials, such as carbon- and 

glass fibre-reinforced polymers have been chosen for the 

boat’s foils, 27 meter high main mast, central hull, and 

250 sq.m. of sail. Details are given. 

MATRA DEFENSE; DASSAULT AVIATION; 

FRENCH TECHNOLOGY PRESS OFFICE INC. 




Item 332 

Tyres & Accessories 

No.5, 1996, p.60-6 

TURF AND ATC TYRES: A GROWING MARKET 

Claydon R.H.,Ltd. 

An overview is presented of tyres and tyre manufacturers 

in the leisure/turf market. These include tyres used on 

grass maintenance equipment both for domestic and 

parkland, golf carts, all terrain vehicles, go-karts, and quad 

bikes. Tyre designs, brands and dimensions are included, 

and company profiles are given of the suppliers. 




Item 333 


26, No.5, May 1996, p.21-3 



DIVERSIFICATION RESHAPES ADVANCED- 

MATERIALS SECTOR 


Most industry observers agree that further consolidation 

in the advanced composites industry is inevitable. Hexcel 

recently purchased Ciba-Geigy’s composites business 

and, through diversification, seeks to better balance its 

business which is 65% based on aerospace. The transition 

from military to civilian applications is slow, but progress 

is being measured. A key growth market is sports and 

recreation, for example, snowboards, ski poles, golf shafts, 

tennis racquets and bikes. Lockheed Martin heads a 

project for an integrated aerospace airframe which makes 

extensive use of resin transfer moulding. Fiber 

Innovations has demonstrated a braiding technology for 

constructing curved airbeams which form a rapidly 

erected shelter for the US Army. 

USA 


Item 334 


54, No.5, May 1996, p.29 

FINDING ITS SEA LEGS 

Schut J H 

Kayaks made of 100% post-consumer HDPE are being 

made for Walden Paddlers by two processes, 

thermoforming and rotomoulding. The kayaks are 

assembled by hot air welding so that they can be returned 

and recycled. The melt flow rate of the recycled HDPE 

bottle resin is kept as constant as possible by batchblending 

the recycle in very large amounts and closely 

controlling how it is blended with process regrind. To 

thermoform the kayak, Universal designed and built a 

double-ended thermoforming machine with an extra long 

forming area and catalytic heaters. The rotomoulded 

kayaks are produced by Hardigg Industries using a 

granulate form of PCR from injection moulded parts like 

pales and crates. 

USA 


Item 335 

ICCM/9. Volume 6: Composites Properties and 

Applications. Conference Proceedings. 

Madrid, 12th-16th July 1993, p.208-15. 627 

COMPOSITE MONOCOQUE FRAME FOR 

BICYCLES, THE DESIGN AND THE 

FABRICATION 

Jun E J; Kim B S; Joe C R 

Korea,Institute of Machinery & Metals 

Edited by: Miravete A 

(Zaragoza,University) 

A computer aided design scheme and a new fabrication 

technique for one-piece composite monocoque bicycle 

frames are described. For the fabrication process, a new 

method of building pressure in the mould was used. 

Composite tooling was used to produce the prototype 

composite frame. The mould developed was made using 

high cure temperature epoxy resin and carbon fabric. The 

frames developed in this study passed the vibration, 

impact, drop-weight and energy absorption tests and road 

tests and distortion tests were carried out on the frames 

as performance verification tests. 

COREX SPORTS CORP.; SAMCHULI BICYCLE 

INDUSTRIAL CO.LTD. 

KOREA 


Item 336 


42, No.4, April 1996, p.51 

MOULD EPP BEAD FOAM WITH AN INTEGRAL 

SKIN 

Naitove M 

The article describes the process of producing expanded 

polypropylene foam parts with a solid integral skin on one 

side, citing a bicycle helmet moulded from BASF’s Neopolen 

EPP bead, as an illustration. The self-skinning EPP process 

requires some modification of standard bead-moulding 

equipment, needing an extra steam chamber. Automotive 

interior trim is a potential application for the process. 

BASF CORP. 

USA 


Item 337 


26, No.4, April 1996, p.26-7 

CONTRACT MANUFACTURING GAINS 

STRENGTH IN COMPUTER INDUSTRY 


In the computer industry, contract manufacturing has 

reached a new level in meeting OEM’s one-stop shopping 

needs. Mack Molding’s new facility in southern Vermont 

handles high-volume projects, for example, the HP 

XLS800 data storage system for Hewlett Packard. 

Polycarbonate foam was used for the chassis and dividers, 

and injection moulded PC/ABS was used for the skins 

and modules. Similarly, in a consumer application, Mack 

handles moulding, assembly and distribution of Reebok’s 

step and slide aerobic devices. The Arlington plant 

features a high level of automation in processing and 

assembly. 

MACK MOLDING CO. 

USA 


Item 338 

Du Pont Magazine European Edition 

No.1, 1996, p.28-30 

WINNING WITH ‘TYVEK’ 



Tyvek flashspun HDPE is being used in rolling advertising 

displays at sports stadia. Advantages of its use in this 

application are described, and include is thinness, 

lightness, and toughness. It is puncture and abrasion 

resistant, and offers chemical resistance, water repellency, 

rot resistance and biological inertness. 

DUPONT; SPACE & TIME AG 



Item 339 


23, No.4, April 1996, p.21 

ROTOMOULDING MAKES BOATS 

American Rotational Molding recently won a prize from 

the US Association of Rotational Molders for its work on 

a “family” catamaran. The company can make a complete 

boat every two hours, compared to one boat a day for 

GRP boats. The boats are rotomoulded at 600C using a 

proprietary three-layer process. The first layer, which 

forms the tough outer surface of the catamaran, is made 

of crosslinked PE. The cycle is then interrupted as PE, 

laced with a heat-activated foaming agent, is fed in. The 

process is then restarted and the foam layer fuses to the 

crosslinked skin layer. The process is stopped again and 

the third layer, standard LLDPE, is introduced. 

AMERICAN ROTATIONAL MOLDING GROUP 

INC. 

USA 


Item 340 


No.738, Feb.1995, p.32-5 

French 

INFLATABLE BOATS: AN UNSINKABLE 

MARKET 

Lavabre S 

The use of rubbers and plastics in inflatable boats is 

examined, and the activities of some companies involved 

in boat construction and the manufacture of coated fabrics 

are reviewed. Statistics are presented for the boat building 

industry in France, which is the world leader in the 

inflatables market. 

ZODIAC SA; BOMBARD; SEVYLOR 

INTERNATIONAL; JUMBO BOATS VERTRIEB 

GMBH; HURRICANE; PENNEL & FLIPO SA; ELF 

ATOCHEM SA; ZEPPELIN; GOMMONAUTICA; 

BERTRAND YACHT STYLE 


GERMANY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 341 


86, No.1, Jan.1996, p.30-2 


ABS/POLYAMIDE-6 BLENDS. PERFORMANCE 

PROFILE OF MATERIALS FOR APPLICATIONS 

IN THE SPORTS AND LEISURE SECTORS 

Dunning L 

DSM 

A combination of high toughness, dimensional stability 

and resistance to extreme operating conditions is shown 

to make ABS/polyamide-6 blends suitable materials for 

sports and leisure applications. The further improvement 

of low-temp. impact strength, coupled with adequate 

rigidity and tracking resistance, opening up applications 

in winter sports and motorcycle racing, is discussed. 




Item 342 


86, No.1, Jan.1996, p.29-30 


LONG FIBRE-REINFORCED 

THERMOPLASTICS. TAILORED TO FILL THE 

NICHE BETWEEN GLASS MAT 

THERMOPLASTICS(GMT) AND HIGH- 

PERFORMANCE FIBRE-REINFORCED 

COMPOSITES 

Effing M 

Europaeische Entwicklungszentrum 

Continuous strand-reinforced thermoplastics are shown 

to be inexpensive, high-strength materials suitable for 

large-scale production of shell-shaped and flat structures. 

Typical applications, including automobile parts, transport 

containers, sports equipment and personal security 

elements, are discussed. 1 ref. 




Item 343 


No.1626, 8th March 1996, p.10 

HALLAM GEARS UP FOR GROWTH 

Lunney A 

Hallam Plastics’ 25 years of expertise in structural foam 

and product finishing supports its claim as a specialist 

injection moulder. The company aims to double its 3.2m 

pounds sterling turnover within the next five years. Hallam 

is hoping to develop innovations based on a technology 

developed in the late 1960s. It usually consists of an 

engineering thermoplastic that has a strong cellular core 

surrounded by a solid outer skin, formed by using a blowing 

agent in a low pressure process for high stiffness, low stress 

mouldings. The Terraplas tile, used for stadium turf 

protection, is one example of the company’s product-line 

success using these tested methods. Hallam’s customer base 

stands at about 70, with the IT market to the fore. 

HALLAM PLASTICS 






Item 344 

Adhesives Age 

39, No.2, Feb.1996, p.61-2 

CIBA ADHESIVES AID IN GOLF CLUB 

ASSEMBLY 

The design is described of Taylor Made golf drivers and 

metal woods, and manufacturing methods using Ciba- 

Geigy’s Araldite AW 136/HY 994 epoxy resin adhesives 

to bond the club heads to the shafts of golf clubs. The 

adhesive is dispensed via an automated SeeFlo 387 bench 

top meter/mix/dispensing system which allows each 0.7 

gram shot of adhesive to be dispensed into the head. This 

capability offers improved control of the mixed material 

flow rate to prevent epoxy from being dispensed too 

quickly into the club head, thereby trapping air in the 

cavity. Following adhesive injection, glass microbeads 

are poured into the head to act as ball bearings around the 

sides of the shaft, which is then pushed into the head under 

pressure to ensure a firm bond and eliminate air bubbles. 

CIBA-GEIGY CORP.; TAYLOR MADE GOLF CO. 

USA 


Item 345 


7, No.25, 21st Aug.1995, p.18 

CYCLIST’S EYE SCREEN SOLVES WHAT BUGS 

HIM 

Renstrom R 

The article supplies details of a new, lightweight helmetmounted 

eyescreen for cyclists. The eyescreen protects 

the wearer from insects and dirt and incorporates an antifogging 

coating. The material used for the eyeshield is 

cellulose propionate, an engineering thermoplastic. 

EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.; AIROSERIES INC. 

USA 


Item 346 


67, No.16, 14th Sept.1995, p.36-40 

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! AND BERTHA’S EVEN 

BIGGER! 

Braham J 

Engineers are developing tennis rackets and golf clubs 

made of space-age materials, with larger heads that are 

lightweight and yet deliver more power and greater 

accuracy. The article describes the latest developments in 

high-tech sporting goods, including the biggest 

technological advance in rackets this year - the kinetic 

racket from ProKennex, which reduces shock and vibration. 

TAYLOR MADE GOLF CLUB CO.; QUADRAX 

CORP.; CALLAWAY GOLF CO.; CLEAR 

DIFFERENCE GOLF CO.; WILSON SPORTING 

GOODS CO.; GAMMA SPORTS; PROKENNEX; 

DUNLOP SLAZENGER CORP. 

USA 


Item 347 


No.5, 1995, p.28-30 

SUPPLIER TO THE ELITE 

Rossignol, a manufacturer of sports goods uses DuPont 

materials in its range of skis and ski boots, and has recently 

launched a new line of undergarments which can be worn 

for sports and leisure activities as well as under regular 

ski outfits. Details are given of how Kevlar has helped 

achieve advances in ski design and added value to the 

range of ski boots. The Sportsline range of clothing uses 

high performance products such as Lycra elastane fibre, 

Coolmax fabric and Tactel nylon. 

ROSSIGNOL SKI CO. 




Item 348 

PPG Information 

Oct.1995, p.4-5 

ISOSPORT. THE GROWING POPULARITY OF 

SNOWBOARDS 

The article describes the growth in the snowboard market. 

In recent years, snowboards have taken about 25% of the 

total world ski market. The article supplies details of the 

products of Isosport Verbundbauteile GmbH, a company 

which has taken advantage of the growth in the market. 

The article also describes the construction of skis. 

ISOSPORT VERBUNDBAUTEILE GMBH 

AUSTRIA; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 349 

Urethane Plastics and Products 

25, No.11, Nov.1995, p.5-7 

THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF PITTSBURGH IN 

EVERY BRUNSWICK BOWLING BALL 

It is reported that for the past decade, Bayer’s PU materials 

have helped bowlers, from the tour’s top professionals to 

the high-handicap league bowler, bowl their best game. 

During the decade that Bayer has supplied PUs to 

Brunswick, the two have revolutionised the bowling ball 

industry by introducing what are known as reactive resin 

bowling balls. These balls, which include the Rhino Pro, 

the Quantum and the new Zone, use special materials from 

Bayer to offer the bowler greater control and more options 



to accommodate a range of lane conditions. Details are 

given. 

BAYER CORP.; BRUNSWICK CORP. 

USA 


Item 350 


Aug.1995, p.142-3 

SNOWTIME 

An all-terrain ski produced from a one-piece, stainless 

steel cap design is described briefly. The metal cap/ 

fibreglass/wood/rubber construction yields an ideal 

balance of strength and flexibility. The ski performs 

well on hard-packed snow and ice as well as on 

powdered snow. The various laminate layers are coated 

with an Araldite epoxy resin adhesive, assembled, 

placed in a press and cured under heat and pressure. 

The requirements of the epoxy resin adhesive are 

particularly examined. 

VOLANT SKI CORP. 




Item 351 


41, No.11, Nov.1995, p.92 

WHOLE NEW WAY TO MAKE SAILBOATS 

The conventional method of making sailboats using 

thermoset fibre-reinforced plastic laminates may be 

successfully replaced by a new approach developed by 

Advance USA in co-operation with JY Sailboats. The 

‘ACP’ process is Advance USA’s patented method for 

making a three-layer structure that has a thermoformed 

thermoplastic skin, a foam core and a glass fibrereinforcing 

layer. Details are given. 

ADVANCE USA; JY SAILBOATS 

USA 


Item 352 


25, No.5, 9th Oct.1995, p.71 

ATR ACQUIRES PATENTS FOR REBOUND SOIL 

LINE 

Pritchard E 

American Tire Recyclers is reported to have launched 

marketing for Rebound, a patented process that mixes 

crumb rubber and compost to create new road surfaces 

for sports fields and parks. The company has acquired 

patents for Rebound products from International Soil 

Systems, the company that developed the process. 

American Tire Recyclers has been selling Rebound 

products for almost two years; details are given. 

AMERICAN TIRE RECYCLERS INC. 

USA 


Item 353 


67, No.6, 1994, p.408-10 

Japanese 

SOFT TENNIS BALLS 

Asano K 

Showa Gomu KK 

Historical changes in the soft tennis ball and its 

manufacture are described. 3 refs. Articles from this 

journal can be requested for translation by subscribers to 

the Rapra produced International Polymer Science and 

Technology. 

JAPAN 


Item 354 

Plastics on the Road ’94. Conference Proceedings. 

Solihull, 28th-29th Nov.1994, p.49-57. 63Tr.Ro 

COMPOSITE CHASSIS DEVELOPMENT IN 

MOTORSPORT 

Greaves J 

Janus Technology 

(Institute of Materials; Institution of Mechanical 

Engineers; Industrial Technology Magazine) 

One of the biggest advances over the last decade in 

Formula One racing cars has been the use of composites. 

More than 80% of a modern Formula One car is made 

in a composite of one form or another. A history of 

composite development in the field of motorsport is 

presented. 5 refs. 




Item 355 

Journal of Thermal Insulation 

Vol.19, Oct.1995, p.173-88 

INSULATION, AIR BARRIERS, 

POLYURETHANE FOAM, AND 

LEAKPROOFING 

Sartor J 

CONTEC 

The design and construction is described of an indoor 

baseball field which is enclosed in an air-supported 

structure. Problems associated with leakproofing, thermal 

insulation, and air barriers are addressed within this case 

study of the use of polyurethane foam in this type of 

concrete block structure. 

CANADA 




Item 356 


7, No.26, 28th Aug.1995, p.4 

GRAPHITE GOLF CLUBS DRIVE ALDILA INTO 

PREPREGS 

Renstrom R 

Details are given of the in-house production of prepreg 

by graphite golf shaft manufacturer, Aldila Inc., in an 

effort to control its raw material supply. The company 

plans to make its own intermediate- and high-modulus 

products by late 1996 following the production initially 

of standard modulus carbon fibre. The investment in 

equipment and development of the business is described. 

ALDILA INC. 

USA 


Item 357 


7, No.26, 28th Aug.1995, p.1/4 

GRAPHITE GOLF SHAFTS SCORE WITH 

PLAYERS, CLUB MAKERS 

Renstrom R 

Trends in golf club shaft design are reviewed with respect 

to the growing use of graphite fibre reinforced materials. 

The US market’s annual growth of more than 20% reflects 

numerous material and process improvements. The golf 

clubs manufactured by key companies in the industry are 

described, and the developments in production and types 

of prepreg used are reviewed. 

BMR ASSOCIATES 

USA 


Item 358 


No.1, 1995, p.4-5 

‘DELRON’ GUARDS FOOTBALLERS’ FEET 

Gaunt M 

DuPont (UK) Ltd. 

Infra red thermography was used to study trauma to 

footballers’ feet when wearing metal studded boots and 

also an alternative Delrin studded boot. It was shown that 

the use of a specially developed grade of Delrin, caused 

significantly less injury to the sole of the foot. The studs 

are called Lite and are manufactured by Tisport Ltd. 

TRISPORT LTD. 




Item 359 


25, No.9, Sept.1995, p.35/7 

FRANCHISES AVAILABLE FOR 

THERMOFORM TECHNOLOGY 

Myers J 

DuPont is planning a worldwide network of franchised 

outlets, partnered with selected processors specialising 

in high-volume thermoforming of thermoplastic 

composite sheets, to establish its Tepex preform 

technology. Tepex is a continuous fibre-reinforced 

preform based on any of several DuPont highperformance 

resins. A variety of fibres can also be used 

and a range of weaves can be employed. Central to the 

production technologies is Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ 

high-speed forming system that shapes thermoplastic 

composite sheets in less than a minute. Also available 

with the Tepex franchised technology is a new 

sublimation method for surface decoration. Franchise 

operators are expected to be plastics processors with 

experience supplying to one or more of the targeted 

industries, which include transportation, bicycles, sports 

equipment, body protection, industrial equipment and 

footwear. 

DU PONT CO. 

WORLD 


Item 360 


Aug.1995, p.10 

SAILCLOTH WEIGHT-SAVING ACHIEVED 

USING PEN FILM 

It is reported that, using a polyethylene naphthalate film 

supplied by Teijin, US company Bainbridge/Aquabatten 

has created a sailcloth specifically developed for the 

Americas Cup races, and achieved a weight saving of 

around 10-12% compared with the conventional polyester 

film used. Details are given. 

TEIJIN LTD.; AMOCO CORP.; BAINBRIDGE/ 

AQUABATTEN INC. 

JAPAN; USA 


Item 361 


3, No.8, Aug.1995, p.74-5 

HOW MANY GATES? 

A flow analysis case study is described: a solid-top 

exercise floor tile moulded of PP. Initial moulded parts 

are badly warped, have poor surface appearance and 

require an excessively long moulding cycle. Results of 

mould filling indicate that the primary source of the 

problem is the gating layout. 

PLASTICS DESIGN LIBRARY; RAPRA 

TECHNOLOGY LTD.; ROUTSIS A.,ASSOCIATES; 

MATEFLEX 

USA 




Item 362 


No.3, July 1995, p.11-3 

SAILING INTO NEW DESIGN WATERS 

Bentley P 

Materials from the petrochemical industry are reported 

to have set a completely new course for the world of boat 

design. In particular, advanced composite structures are 

producing new classes of boats which are much lighter, 

tougher and faster through the water. Some of the latest 

developments are presented. 

SHELL CHEMICALS EUROPE LTD.; ROYAL 

NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION 




Item 363 


67, No.13, 27th July 1995, p.54/8 

FIBREGLASS: JUST FOR THE HULL OF IT 

Kelly T C 

Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. 

The increasing use of GRP by the marine industry is 

reported to be causing ripples worldwide, as composite 

manufacturers such as Owens-Corning Fiberglas attempt 

to keep pace with global demand. The increasing demand 

for pleasure boats and yachts stems partially from the 

recent repeal of the USA’s luxury tax. The use of these 

composite materials in marine hulls is described in detail. 

USA 


Item 364 


7, No.16, 19th June 1995, p.3/51 

EMC MAKES A SPLASH WITH KAYAKS 

Neaville L S 

Engelhart Molding began in-house rotational moulding 

of HDPE for the production of kayaks following 

disappointment with the quality achieved by outside 

moulders. The company uses a new Ferry Rotospeed 500 

independent arm biaxial machine which eliminates 

warpage problems. The company now plans to compete 

for business as custom rotational moulders 

ENGELHART MOULDING CORP. 

USA 


Item 365 


July, 1995, p.5 

‘STOMATEX’ FABRICS GIVE SUPERIOR 

THERMAL PERFORMANCE 

Details are given of suitable applications for Stomatex 

thermally insulating laminate fabric. The material is based 

on a polyethylene or polychloroprene foamed cellular layer 

combined with a stretchable warp knit, similar in appearance 

to the material used to make wet suits. The construction of 

the laminate is described, tog values and water vapour 

transmission rate, and uses in the manufacture of survival or 

sportswear, and in medical applications are described. 

MICROTHERMAL SYSTEMS LTD. 




Item 366 


No.1596, 28th July 1995, p.13 

FIGHTING OFF LOW COST RIVALS FROM 

ABROAD 

UK-based Carlton Sport, part of the Dunlop Slazenger 

group, is now the only remaining shuttlecock 

manufacturer in Europe. It holds the major share of the 

UK market and exports around 40% of its production. 

The company has embarked on a 3m pounds sterling 

investment programme which will make the shuttlecock 

injection moulding operation the most advanced of its 

kind in the world. Conventional plastics shuttlecock skirt 

production is a two stage process, involving moulding a 

conical polyamide skirt blank and then heat forming the 

flutes in a secondary post-moulding operation. Production 

of finished skirts direct from the mould was essential to 

further cut manufacturing costs. The company worked 

with mouldmaker Kebo, a Swiss company which offered 

complete project management. Initial market feedback 

suggests the new shuttlecocks get the closest yet to the 

performance of hand built feather designs. 

CARLTON SPORT 




Item 367 


17, No.11, 12th June 1995, p.6 

THERMOPLASTIC TEXTILE PREFORMS 

PROVE THEIR WORTH IN SPORTING GOODS 

Advances in towpreg technology, has enabled 

thermoplastic textile preforms to prove performance 

advantages in sporting goods applications. Based 

primarily on nylon or PP, as well as offering performance 

advantages, they also can deliver economic advantages. 

Products are fabricated by filament winding, roll 

wrapping, compression moulding, braiding, pultrusion, 

hand layup and injection moulding. 

CUSTOM COMPOSITE MATERIALS INC. 

USA 




Item 368 


24, No.20, 24th April 1995, p.27 

ATR CHANGES FOCUS FROM TDF TO 

RECYCLING 

Kennedy G J 

A change of name and a change of direction for the former 

Granulated Rubber Industries has seen the company 

involved in the recycling of scrap tyres for use in soil 

additives and ground cover products. The company was 

involved in the production of tyre-derived fuel, but 

decided to produce recycled products using crumb rubber. 

The success of such products as Rebound, SportsTurf, 

PermaPark and EquestriFoot as produced by the new 

American Tire Recyclers company is discussed. 

GRANULATED RUBBER INDUSTRIES; 

AMERICAN TIRE RECYCLERS 

USA 


Item 369 

Sports Industry 

No.115, March 1995, p.12 

COVERING THE WHOLE OF A SPORTS 

CENTRE 

It is reported that sports centres can now take advantage 

of a complete package of flooring and sports surfaces now 

available from Altro Floors of the UK. Details of the 

products included in the sports centre package are given. 

ALTRO FLOORS 




Item 370 

Adhesives Age 

38, No.3, March 1995, p.58-9 

EPOXIES, EQUIPMENT DRIVE GOLF HEAD 

IMPROVEMENTS 

The article supplies details of the assembly and induction 

curing process used by Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in the 

manufacture of their golf clubs. The company uses Ciba 

Araldite AV-138/HV-998 and AW-106/HV-953 epoxy 

adhesive systems to bond golf heads and shafts. The Ciba 

epoxy adhesives work well with the induction curing 

process and maintain their bond strength without 

becoming brittle. 

WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. 

USA 


Item 371 

Adhesives Age 

38, No.3, March 1995, p.56 

EPOXY ADHESIVE TOUGH ENOUGH FOR 

CHALLENGING BICYCLE APPLICATION 

The article supplies details of Hysol EA9430 - a high 

performance epoxy adhesive from Hysol Engineering 

Adhesives. Chosen for its durability, high peel and shear 

strength, the adhesive is being used by the Trek Bicycle 

Corp. to assemble all of the company’s bonded mountain 

and road bikes. 

TREK BICYCLE CORP.; HYSOL ENGINEERING 

ADHESIVES 

USA 


Item 372 

Urethane Plastics and Products 

25, No.3, March 1995, p.1-2 

ARCO CHEMICAL INTRODUCES 

VISCOELASTIC SLABSTOCK FOAM 

This article supplies details of Softcel, a viscoelastic 

slabstock foam technology developed by Arco Chemical 

Co., which has a wide range of densities, firmness and 

recovery rates. The foam was developed to provide 

fabricators with a product that offers superior shape 

conformance and energy and sound damping, but it is 

expected to find widespread use in a variety of 

applications, including medical, automotive and sporting 

goods. 

ARCO CHEMICAL CO. 

USA 


Item 373 

Tire Business 

12, No.25, 3rd April 1995, p.33 

GRANULATOR’S ‘BIG ADVENTURE’ 

Kennedy G J 

Following a change of name and philosophy, American 

Tire Recyclers, formerly Granulated Rubber Industries, 

decided to move out of the tyre derived fuel business which 

was proving unprofitable, and instead concentrate on using 

crumb rubber for soil amendment purposes, rubberised 

asphalt, and sports and recreational surfaces. Details are 

given of the success of the company, its sales and customers. 

GRANULATED RUBBER INDUSTRIES; 

AMERICAN TIRE RECYCLERS 

USA 


Item 374 


No.2, March 1995, p.8-9 

A STRONG CASE FOR POLYURETHANES 

Johnston J 

Shell Chemicals UK Ltd. 

The versatility of polyurethanes is examined in this 

overview of its characteristic properties and varied 



applications. The manufacture of polyurethanes is 

described, and innovative applications such as breathable 

fabrics, recycled products and sports and recreational 

surfaces are discussed. 




Item 375 


No.732, May 1994, p.41-2 

French 

HOECHST IN THE WIND 

Lavabre S 

Applications of Hoechst’s polypropylenes in the 

construction of sailboards and of other plastics 

manufactured by Hoechst in a range of sports goods are 

examined. Statistics are presented for the French and 

world markets for sailboards. 

HOECHST AG 


GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD 


Item 376 


No.732, May 1994, p.38-40 

French 

BOATING: JEANNEAU WITH ALL SAILS 

SPREAD 

Lavabre S 

An account is given of materials and processes used by 

Jeanneau of France in boat construction, with particular 

reference to racing boats made of carbon, glass and aramid 

fibre-reinforced epoxy resin composites. 

JEANNEAU SA; JEANNEAU TECHNIQUES 

AVANCEES 




Item 377 


No.732, May 1994, p.34-8 

French 

SKIS: THE FRENCH IN A GOOD POSITION 

Lafuma F 

An examination is made of the products of French ski 

manufacturers Dynastar, Rossignol and Salomon, and of 

the processes and plastics materials used. Some company 

information is presented, including turnover and 

investment figures. 

DYNASTAR; ROSSIGNOL; SALOMON SA 




Item 378 


No.732, May 1994, p.32-4 

French 

CRITT SPORTS ET LOISIRS: STAGES OF 

INNOVATION 

Forest J P 

The activities of CRITT Sports et Loisirs of France in 

product development, standardisation and certification in 

the sports equipment field and in the development of test 

methods for such products are described. Details are given 

of some plastics sports items developed by a number of 

companies with the aid of this organisation. 

CRITT SPORTS ET LOISIRS; CRITT 




Item 379 


No.732, May 1994, p.30-1 

French 

POLYMERS CONQUER SPORT 

Lavabre S 

Trends in the use of plastics in sports equipment are 

examined, and statistics are presented for the French and 

West European sports goods markets. Topics discussed 

at a conference on polymers and sport held at Riom, 

France, on 2nd and 3rd June 1994 are reviewed. 


WESTERN EUROPE; WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL 


Item 380 


7, No.1, 6th March 1995, p.1/24 

BIKE HELMET MANUFACTURERS PLAN TO 

MERGE 

Lauzon M 

Details are given of the merger between cycle helmet 

manufacturers Bell Sports Corp. and American Recreation 

Co., Holdings Inc. The strong presence of the latter in 

Canada’s bicycle helmet market and in US mass 

merchandising of bicycle accessories is reported to have 

attracted Bell Sports’ interest. At present, the two firms 

are studying potential plant consolidation, but have 

reached no decision. Further details are given. 

BELL SPORTS CORP.; AMERICAN RECREATION 

CO.,HOLDINGS INC. 

CANADA; USA 


Item 381 


9, No.4, April 1995, p.1/3 



BABBITT INDUSTRIES FINDING NEW 

MARKET FOR RECYCLED RUBBER 

PRODUCTS 

The successful growth of Babbitt Industries is described, 

as the company continues to develop markets for its 

recycled rubber goods, based on scrap tyres. Details are 

given of the plant at St. Louis, and the marketing and 

distribution activities carried out by the company, and its 

range of products. These latter include anti-fatigue mats, 

exercise mats, golf mats, traffic cones, and SoftWalk tiles. 

BABBITT INDUSTRIES INC. 

USA 


Item 382 


9, No.2, Feb.1995, p.14 

SCRAP TYRE-BASED SYSTEM SAVES WATER, 

IMPROVES TURF 

This reports on the “Rain Trap System” from Tire Farms of 

the USA, a passive sub-irrigation system designed for golf 

courses, which uses significant volumes of scrap tyres to save 

millions of gallons of rain water a year. Details are given. 

TIRE FARMS; CALIFORNIA,STATE UNIVERSITY 

USA 


Item 383 


9, No.3, March 1995, p.7 

SPORTS COMPLEX TO USE REBOUND 

A project to build a sports facility including a football 

pitch in Jacksonville, is described. It will entail the use of 

Rebound, which consists of granulated scrap tyres mixed 

with compost, which will form the surface of the football 

field. The mixture reduces compaction and improves 

drainage. The Rebound amended soil will be topped with 

NutriTurf, which is grown locally on recycled brewery 

waste from Anheuser-Busch. Details are included of 

funding for the project. 

AMERICAN TIRE RECYCLERS INC. 

USA 


Item 384 


9, No.3, March 1995, p.7 

POLYURETHANES HELP PUT RECYCLED 

TYRES “UNDERFOOT” 

The use of recycled scrap tyres in sports surfaces is 

described. ICI Polyurethanes uses a combination of crumb 

rubber and polyurethane adhesives to produce high 

performance, durable running tracks and play areas. The 

product provides resilience, impact absorption, and its 

water permeable surface allows for quick drying and also 

provides traction even when wet. Brief details are given 

of application methods. 

ICI POLYURETHANES INC. 

USA 


Item 385 


21, No.11, 1994, p.T68/72 

CHANGES IN RUBBER FOOTWEAR 

Komuta S; Yasumoto Y 

Developments in materials for manufacture of rubber 

footwear are discussed, with reference to sole materials 

and to liner materials. Manufacturing processes and 

products are then considered, with emphasis on SBR-rich 

formulations, vulcanisation-on-sole process, injection 

moulding process, slush moulding process, non-marking 

soles, and sports shoes. Future prospects for rubber 

footwear are assessed. 3 refs. (Full translation of Nippon 

Gomu Kyokaishi, No.2, 1994, p.118) 

JAPAN 


Item 386 

Eureka 

15, No.3, March 1995, p.47/50 

MOUNTAIN BIKES SET THE ULTIMATE TEST 

Barret J 

A report is presented on the latest design developments in 

seal technology, including both dynamic and static seals. The 

seals described all offer significant design benefits. Included 

are details of moulded silicone seals which replace O-rings 

for leakproof applications; seals used on mountain bikes which 

are subjected to harsh environments; Durametallic’s range of 

PSS mechanical seals; spring-energised PTFE mechanical 

seals; and bearing and piston seals. 




Item 387 


67, No.5, 1994, p.348-51 

Japanese 

CHANGES IN THE HARD TENNIS BALL 

Gouma M 

Showa Gomu KK 

The history and developments in the structure and 

manufacture of rubber tennis balls are described. 2 refs. 

Articles from this journal can be requested for translation 

by subscribers to the Rapra produced International 


JAPAN 




Item 388 


67, No.4, 1994, p.269-74 

Japanese 

SOFT BALL BASEBALL 

Kenbishi H 

Naigai Gomu KK 

A brief history of the game of baseball with its origins in 

the USA and UK is followed by a description of the 

different types of ball used in the game. A description is 

given of the structure and manufacture of the soft ball. 7 

refs. Articles from this journal can be requested for 

translation by subscribers to the Rapra produced 

International Polymer Science and Technology. 

JAPAN 


Item 389 

Polymer News 

20, No.1, Jan.1995, p.27 


Retail sales of sporting goods in the US were valued at 

approximately 24 billion US dollars in 1993. Clothing 

accounted for 53% (12.8 billion US dollars), while 

footwear and sporting equipment each comprised about 

23% (5.6 billion and 5.5 billion US dollars, respectively). 

By 1988, the value of retail sales of sporting goods is 

expected to rise to 29 billion US dollars, reflecting 4% 

average annual growth. Details are given of the US sports 

goods market, based on a market survey. 

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS CO.INC. 

USA 


Item 390 


70, No.7, July 1994, p.52-4 

German 

BBS TRANSFERS MOTOR SPORT 

TECHNOLOGY TO SERIES PRODUCTION 

BBS is developing the sports and racing side of its wheel 

manufacturing business. It has pioneered the use of 

magnesium as a lightweight material for wheels. The 

Benetton Ford and Formula 1 Ferrari teams have 

successfully used these wheels. 

BBS KRAFTFAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG 




Item 391 


39, No.2, Feb.1995, p.15 

NICKEL COATING OPENS UP NEW 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIBRES 

A new coating facility from Inco Europe is described, in 

which carbon fibres are coated with nickel. The coated 

fibres called VaporFab can be incorporated into a product 

in the normal way via weaving, chopping, blending and 

moulding, to provide EMI/RFI shielding for a number of 

electrical and electronic devices. In addition, the fibres 

are being used in the leisure industry, where their light 

weight, strength and attractive appearance is being 

exploited in the shafts of golf clubs, fishing rods and tennis 

racquets. 

INCO EUROPE LTD. 




Item 392 


45, No.12, Dec.1994, p.106-7 

German 

PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED FROM 

COMPOSITE MATERIALS: LIGHT, DURABLE 

AND SAFE 

Due to their special properties, reinforced plastics and 

composite materials have opened up new dimensions for 

design and construction in many applications. Apart from 

products for sport and leisure or items of daily use, many 

industrial products are also made from these materials. 




Item 393 


24, No.9, 21st Nov.1994, p.1/14 

CHANGE 

Walters S 

An evolution is said to have occurred in the technology 

of bowling ball manufacture, including new materials, 

new designs and new computer software. All of these 

factors have turned what was once a fairly simple product 

into a high technology sporting item. Details are given. 

FABALL ENTERPRISES INC. 

USA 


Item 394 

Financial Times 

No.32551, 16th Dec.1994, p.14 

HOT SYNTHETICS 

Griffith V 

The last decade has seen a revolution in cold-weather 

apparel and these days stores stock clothes made of hightechnology 

fabrics, mainly derived from polyester. 

Polyester is manipulated in various ways to improve 

insulation, with the main focus on keeping moisture away 



from the skin. Patagonia now offers a chemically-altered 

polyester called Capilene which has gone through 

antimicrobial treatment to help the fabric reject odour. 

DuPont has introduced ThermaStat and Thermax, 

lightweight polyester materials that aim to trap air next 

to the body while funnelling moisture to the outer layer, 

where it evaporates. Thinsulate by 3M has emerged as 

one of the most popular insulating materials, particularly 

for cold-weather gloves and ski pants. 




Item 395 


Nov.1994, p.25 

SEAT MANUFACTURER WITH OLYMPIC 

GOLD 

Camatic Pty Ltd. has secured a multi-million dollar 

contract to supply and install 54,000 seats for the 1996 

Olympic Games Stadium in Atlanta. The seats and backs 

are blow moulded in HDPE and are supported by an 

aluminium frame. The process means the mouldings are 

hollow inside, which helps give them flex and provides a 

cushioning effect. The company says one of the key 

factors in its successful bid for the contract was an intricate 

filigree effect incorporated into the seating. Camatic 

currently supplies over 90% of all cinema seats to the 

major chains in Australia and has become a leader in 

cinema, auditorium and stadium seating worldwide. 

CAMATIC PTY.LTD. 

AUSTRALIA 


Item 397 


Vol.87, Sports Issue, 1993, p.20-1 

SEASONABLE GOLF 

The design of an electric golf trolley, the Classic, from 

Powakaddy, is described. It incorporates weight reducing 

plastics from Du Pont which are capable of withstanding 

extreme climatic conditions. The main chassis uses Zytel 

nylon, the gear housing Rynite 935 glass reinforced PETP, 

and Zytel and Delrin acetate homopolymers are used for 

the gears. 

POWAKADDY LTD. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; WESTERN EUROPE 


Item 396 

Blackburn, 1992, pp.25. 12ins. 26/4/93. 42C12-63Ag- 

6R 

NETLON ADVANCED TURF. ROOTZONE 

TECHNOLOGY - STRONGER BY NATURE 

Netlon Ltd. 

Netlon Advanced Turf is designed to stabilise the turf 

rootzone, especially on grassed areas which need to 

withstand either vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The system 

consists of small mesh elements made from 

polypropylene. Reinforcing the rootzone provides the turf 

with greater stability and strength resulting, in the case 

of golf courses and football pitches, in consistent ball 

bounce and quick recovery from damage. Further details 

are given of its advantages in maintaining turf, and 

detailed installation instructions. 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; WESTERN EUROPE 



Subject Index 

A 

ABRASION, 133 305 

ABRASION RESISTANCE, 14 33 

49 50 73 74 88 120 135 137 

149 153 166 215 217 223 228 

244 252 273 274 276 279 284 

306 319 324 338 340 359 374 

375 384 

ACCELERATION, 296 

ACCELERATOR, 167 273 

ACCELEROMETRY, 296 

ACCESSORY, 217 285 

ACCIDENT, 201 

ACCURACY, 46 186 

ACOUSTIC INSULATION, 139 

ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES, 320 

343 

ACQUISITION, 1 17 51 58 80 94 

129 193 231 266 288 

ACRYLIC, 25 94 226 266 294 

ACRYLIC COPOLYMER, 115 

ACRYLIC POLYMER, 49 87 221 

228 320 

ACRYLIC RESIN, 49 87 320 346 

ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE 

STYRENE, 1 8 38 51 81 87 106 

115 166 168 171 195 207 217 

226 248 262 294 337 341 351 

377 

ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE 

COPOLYMER, 192 246 274 

275 324 

ACRYLONITRILE-STYRENE- 

ACRYLATE TERPOLYMER, 

87 


ACRYLIC ESTER 

TERPOLYMER, 87 


ACRYLIC TERPOLYMER, 87 


ACRYLONITRILE 

TERPOLYMER, 351 

ACTIVATED CARBON, 248 

ACTUATOR, 275 

ADDED VALUE, 229 

ADDITIVE, 16 68 75 115 121 134 

135 148 163 167 177 189 216 

220 228 248 260 273 274 276 

290 305 324 325 340 377 393 

ADHESION, 73 88 113 147 191 

209 229 273 276 284 319 320 

324 325 333 

ADHESION PROMOTION, 229 

Subject Index 

276 

ADHESIVE, 33 38 75 83 88 96 

103 118 132 188 193 214 216 

229 234 276 292 310 325 333 

344 350 370 371 374 377 384 

ADVANCED COMPOSITE, 18 22 

188 193 247 292 320 333 

ADVERTISING, 338 

AEROBIC, 379 

AERODYNAMIC PROPERTIES, 

22 143 159 188 375 

AERONAUTICAL 

APPLICATION, 285 

AEROSPACE APPLICATION, 60 

121 193 266 333 

AESTHETIC, 114 120 134 135 

143 153 217 

AGING, 134 135 162 263 

AGING RESISTANCE, 306 

AGREEMENT, 74 201 212 

AGRICULTURAL 


AIR BAG, 26 81 

AIR BARRIER, 355 

AIR ENTRAPMENT, 273 394 

AIR EVACUATION, 167 

AIR FILTER, 294 

AIR FLOW, 19 

AIRBAG, 26 81 

AIRCRAFT, 83 193 

AIRCRAFT INTERIOR, 90 

AIRFOIL, 188 

AIRFRAME, 333 

AIRPORT, 24 122 

ALCOHOL RESISTANCE, 115 

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE 

BOTTLE, 115 

ALIPHATIC, 196 234 273 

ALL-TERRAIN, 350 

ALLERGY, 164 

ALLIANCE, 17 80 91 202 

ALLOY, 135 150 195 

ALUMINIUM, 18 30 41 47 66 83 

141 150 166 228 265 320 377 

389 

AMORPHOUS, 20 375 

ANALYSIS, 54 64 79 128 142 143 

151 179 194 206 273 275 295 

296 305 319 

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT, 345 

ANISOTROPIC, 79 143 

ANISOTROPY, 79 143 

ANTIFATIGUE MAT, 381 

ANTIFOGGING, 49 

ANTIFOULING, 375 

ANTIGELLING AGENT, 167 

ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, 220 

394 

ANTISTATIC, 176 

APPEARANCE, 29 38 40 46 72 

ARAMID FIBRE, 6 7 8 18 63 193 

228 292 320 322 333 347 359 

ARAMID FIBRE-REINFORCED 

PLASTIC, 43 122 182 231 247 

248 320 321 322 357 362 376 

ARAMID FIBRE-REINFORCED 

RUBBER, 87 

ARCHERY, 378 

ARCHITECTURAL 


ARM REST, 53 134 

AROMATIC OIL, 274 

ARTIFICIAL GRASS, 152 208 

ASPHALT, 260 

ASSEMBLY, 23 24 83 134 203 222 

258 325 340 343 344 371 

ASSOCIATION, 41 44 50 85 153 

168 175 276 305 318 324 

ATTENUATION, 190 

AUTOCLAVE, 143 265 354 

AUTOCLAVE MOULDING, 320 

AUTOMATION, 5 46 63 68 127 

128 141 180 203 216 337 340 

344 377 

AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATION, 3 

17 22 38 52 55 64 75 80 86 87 

94 101 105 117 118 119 123 

126 129 156 163 179 183 191 

201 204 210 212 229 232 234 

245 284 289 290 291 304 307 

336 342 379 

AWARD, 106 205 260 272 294 313 

339 

B 

B-STAGING, 216 

BACKREST, 53 

BACTERIA RESISTANCE, 134 

284 324 

BALL, 108 120 131 137 153 174 

256 272 314 349 353 378 379 

387 388 393 

BALLISTIC RESISTANCE, 6 228 

BALLOON, 291 

BALSA, 167 315 320 

BAN, 125 

BARRIER PACKAGING, 204 

BARRIER SCREW, 366 

BASALT FIBRE-REINFORCED 

© Copyright 2001 Rapra Technology Limited 95

Subject Index 

PLASTIC, 4 

BASEBALL, 106 153 388 

BASEBALL BAT, 18 43 106 107 

BASKETBALL, 111 379 

BAT, 43 

BATH, 129 

BEAD, 336 

BEAM, 79 142 296 333 

BEARING, 126 284 

BEDDING, 101 116 284 365 374 

BELT, 252 291 

BELTING, 20 252 

BELTS, 20 252 

BIAXIAL, 364 

BICYCLE, 22 23 30 34 47 49 70 

83 87 88 99 109 127 141 143 

150 158 165 185 188 198 216 

217 265 268 285 297 313 319 

335 345 359 371 378 379 380 

BICYCLE FRAME, 87 141 143 

151 158 165 185 283 313 319 

333 335 367 379 

BICYCLE HELMET, 137 

BICYCLE SEAT, 87 141 217 319 

BICYCLE TYRE, 87 92 199 217 

BICYCLE WHEEL, 87 96 171 

BIDIRECTIONAL, 142 

BINDER, 33 192 196 260 330 374 

BINDING, 7 28 261 292 

BIOCIDE, 220 

BIODEGRADABLE, 189 

BIODETERIORATION, 189 

BIOFILTRATION, 216 

BISMALEIMIDE POLYMER, 193 

BISMALEIMIDE RESIN, 193 

BLADDER, 84 137 235 300 

BLADE, 278 317 

BLANK, 31 

BLEND, 13 52 87 119 120 135 163 

166 192 195 204 212 226 246 

248 262 273 274 276 308 330 

337 341 379 

BLENDING, 190 

BLISTER, 365 

BLOCK COPOLYMER, 120 135 

153 166 231 248 276 324 325 

BLOW MOULD, 375 

BLOW MOULDING, 29 31 62 66 

107 217 395 

BLOWING AGENT, 15 284 324 

339 343 344 377 

BLOWN FILM, 284 

BOAT, 14 41 44 45 50 63 79 87 88 

109 110 114 118 129 137 142 

156 167 168 200 221 226 247 

257 261 315 320 321 322 323 

331 334 339 340 360 362 363 

375 376 379 

BOAT BUILDING, 44 340 

BODY ARMOUR, 6 359 

BODY PANEL, 3 112 245 284 

BOND, 7 83 88 96 102 132 141 

188 191 229 248 250 273 276 

370 

BOND STRENGTH, 88 147 

BONDABILITY, 212 

BONDING, 7 83 88 96 102 132 

141 188 191 229 248 250 273 

276 325 329 333 340 370 377 

BONDING AGENT, 88 229 245 

248 273 276 325 377 

BONNET, 112 

BOOM, 79 

BOOT, 6 68 120 135 153 166 168 

231 248 306 324 379 

BORON FIBRE-REINFORCED 

PLASTIC, 357 

BOTTLE, 2 107 115 217 228 230 

330 334 

BOUNDARY CONDITION, 142 

BOWLING, 393 

BOWLING BALL, 2 70 97 211 

349 

BOX, 119 

BOXING, 194 

BRACKET, 217 

BRAIDED FIBRE, 283 

BRAIDING, 333 

BRAKE, 64 87 158 266 

BRAKING, 133 

BREATHABILITY, 87 228 284 

BREATHABLE, 20 374 

BREATHING APPARATUS, 6 

BRIDGE, 183 333 

BROMOBUTYL RUBBER, 246 

BRONZE, 305 

BUCKET, 334 

BUILDING APPLICATION, 24 37 

38 52 64 89 101 102 103 105 

134 156 182 183 189 193 196 

210 219 243 281 286 296 298 

352 355 361 

BUILDING INDUSTRY, 122 

BUILDING RENOVATION, 102 

BULK COLOUR, 41 

BULK MOULDING 

COMPOUND, 156 

BULKHEAD, 333 

BUMPER, 78 105 304 307 

BUOYANCY, 129 137 261 281 339 

BUSINESS MACHINE, 86 90 91 

304 

BUSINESS PRACTICE, 131 

BUSINESS STRATEGY, 160 258 

323 348 

BUTYL RUBBER, 87 88 246 274 

BY-PRODUCT, 65 

C 

CABLE, 134 

CABLE INSULATION, 229 

CALCULATION, 11 98 161 

CALENDERING, 134 340 

CAMERA, 202 

CAMPING, 137 379 

CANOE, 41 50 51 70 114 320 321 

CAPACITY, 17 46 80 91 94 115 

128 135 144 155 156 193 230 

266 316 324 377 

CAPACITY UTILISATION, 91 

CAPILLARY GAS 

CHROMATOGRAPHY, 305 

CAPITAL, 229 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, 91 

CAPROLACTONE POLYMER, 81 

CAR, 3 112 126 133 140 193 206 

229 245 282 379 

CAR TYRE, 133 282 

CARBON, 5 23 30 45 47 

CARBON BLACK, 163 246 248 

276 305 

CARBON FABRIC, 60 319 335 

CARBON FIBRE, 60 64 83 89 121 

122 254 266 357 391 

CARBON FIBRE-REINFORCED 

PLASTIC, 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

18 35 36 41 43 63 64 79 81 87 

89 109 116 121 122 127 128 

141 142 143 151 155 156 165 

166 179 180 182 183 185 188 

193 243 245 247 248 250 261 

265 266 271 277 283 292 293 

313 319 320 321 331 333 335 

356 359 362 376 

CARBON FIBRE-REINFORCED 

RUBBER, 89 

CARBON-CARBON POLYMER, 

64 

CARBONISATION, 266 

CARBOXYLATION, 246 

CARCINOGENICITY, 189 

CARPET BACKING, 291 

CARPET UNDERLAY, 291 

CASE HISTORY, 61 207 

CASH FLOW, 377 

CASING, 123 

CAST, 307 

CASTABLE, 307 

CASTING, 2 34 166 196 324 

CATALYSIS, 52 195 

CATALYST, 210 287 

CATALYTIC HEATER, 294 334 

CATAMARAN, 109 247 339 376 


Subject Index 

CATERING APPLICATION, 281 

CAVITY, 131 

CELL STRUCTURE, 296 

CELLULOSE, 115 

CELLULOSE PROPIONATE, 345 

CEMENT KILN, 125 

CERAMIC, 228 357 

CERAMIC FIBRE, 228 

CERTIFICATION, 135 229 295 

378 

CFC REPLACEMENT, 377 

CHAIN BRANCHING, 305 

CHAIN EXTENSION, 273 

CHAIN LENGTH, 153 

CHARACTERISATION, 64 

CHASSIS, 245 337 

CHEMICAL BONDING, 212 

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, 291 

CHEMICAL MODIFICATION, 

101 276 324 

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, 14 96 

112 115 134 147 155 166 204 

228 270 276 287 304 

CHEMICAL RECYCLING, 101 

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE, 14 96 

97 112 115 134 147 155 166 

204 228 235 270 276 287 304 

319 324 338 340 

CHEMICAL STABILITY, 65 

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE, 20 

120 153 204 305 

CHIMNEY, 320 

CHLORINATION, 276 

CHLOROSULFONATED 

POLYETHYLENE, 14 41 50 

340 

CHOPPED STRAND, 112 129 227 

CHROMATOGRAPHY, 305 

CIVIL ENGINEERING, 169 183 

243 286 333 

CLAMP FORCE, 3 53 202 337 

366 

CLAMPING FORCE, 3 53 202 

CLAMPING UNIT, 244 

CLARITY, 204 246 

CLAY, 274 

CLEANING, 68 72 203 

CLEANING DEVICE, 122 

CLEAR, 273 

CLEARCOAT, 90 94 128 

CLEAT, 275 309 

CLIP, 123 

CLOSED CELL, 41 248 296 304 

351 365 

CLOSURE, 115 217 269 

CLOTHING, 25 49 82 87 92 115 

116 120 144 153 223 228 231 

232 233 345 347 365 375 389 

394 

COAGENT, 273 

COATED, 350 

COATED FABRIC, 14 26 41 50 81 

102 114 189 228 340 379 

COATED FIBRE, 391 

COATING, 5 12 14 24 25 33 49 64 

75 90 94 128 177 181 190 228 

234 276 305 340 343 374 375 

COBALT NAPHTHENATE, 167 

COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION, 

212 273 274 275 276 305 324 

COEXTRUSION, 20 38 87 191 

303 

COG WHEEL, 123 

COHESION, 77 88 375 

COINJECTION, 81 244 

COINJECTION MOULDING, 38 

166 

COLD BONDING, 340 

COLD CURING, 320 

COLLISION, 194 

COLOUR, 41 87 94 102 114 134 

135 154 186 195 217 262 273 

295 325 

COLOUR CODING, 87 

COLOUR MATCH, 294 

COLOURABILITY, 13 14 70 120 

212 

COLOURANT, 2 115 325 

COLOURED, 202 

COLOURING, 41 153 232 325 

COLUMN, 333 

COMBUSTION, 176 

COMFORT, 6 114 141 178 228 

296 325 

COMMINGLED, 60 163 

COMMUNICATIONS 

EQUIPMENT, 90 

COMPACTION, 141 152 

COMPATIBILISATION, 324 

COMPATIBILITY, 96 132 212 333 

COMPETITIVENESS, 83 86 160 

211 

COMPOST, 383 

COMPOUND, 135 186 195 226 

229 248 274 276 

COMPOUNDING, 135 174 229 

273 274 276 295 324 

COMPRESSIBILITY, 59 

COMPRESSION, 20 142 

COMPRESSION MOULD, 320 

324 

COMPRESSION MOULDING, 4 

5 31 39 55 107 127 227 229 

261 

COMPRESSION PROPERTIES, 

141 143 152 183 194 225 304 

COMPRESSION RESISTANCE, 

104 

COMPRESSION SET, 120 153 

304 

COMPRESSION STRENGTH, 

143 304 320 

COMPRESSION STRESS, 194 

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, 183 

COMPRESSIVE STRESS, 194 

COMPUTER, 86 90 304 337 

COMPUTER AIDED ANALYSIS, 

296 305 319 

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN, 4 5 

8 11 12 22 34 45 63 68 71 79 

143 151 205 207 264 265 278 

294 319 327 335 340 359 361 

366 377 378 393 397 

COMPUTER AIDED 

ENGINEERING, 359 

COMPUTER AIDED 

MANUFACTURE, 63 68 71 

294 377 

COMPUTER CONTROL, 68 216 

COMPUTER MODEL, 11 79 142 

296 

COMPUTER NUMERICAL 

CONTROL, 42 165 

COMPUTER PROGRAM, 11 305 

COMPUTER SIMULATION, 12 

79 91 142 143 294 296 

COMPUTER SOFTWARE, 11 12 

CONCRETE, 64 243 296 

CONCURRENT ENGINEERING, 

264 

CONDENSATION, 365 

CONDOM, 291 

CONDUCTIVE FILLER, 305 

CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, 116 

CONFERENCE, 75 79 153 221 

273 274 275 276 316 379 

CONFORMABILITY, 39 

CONSOLE, 294 

CONSOLIDATION, 313 333 380 

CONSTANT PRESSURE, 305 

CONSTRUCTION, 64 75 83 101 

159 374 

CONSUMER GOODS, 80 359 

CONSUMPTION, 17 53 80 82 105 

121 128 156 168 169 193 210 

234 266 279 284 291 313 329 

334 357 

CONTACT ANGLE, 276 305 

CONTACT AREA, 274 

CONTACT MOULD, 319 320 

CONTAINER, 115 139 217 342 

CONTINUOUS FIBRE, 39 292 

342 359 

CONTINUOUS FILAMENT, 165 


Subject Index 

232 

CONTINUOUS PHASE, 276 

CONTINUOUS STRAND MAT, 

12 

CONTRACEPTIVE, 291 

CONTRACT, 62 66 129 301 395 

CONTROL EQUIPMENT, 46 202 

251 

CONTROL SYSTEM, 68 

CONVEYOR, 80 

COOLING, 40 65 

CORE, 79 97 108 118 131 150 166 

167 170 231 248 292 296 320 

375 376 377 380 

CORNERING, 133 

CORROSION, 96 

CORROSION RESISTANCE, 88 

94 122 126 217 319 391 

COUPLING, 64 

COUPLING AGENT, 246 

COVER, 294 

CRACK GROWTH, 65 

CRACK RESISTANCE, 276 

CRACKING, 65 98 276 320 

CRASH BARRIER, 27 117 

CRASH HELMET, 49 87 378 

CRASH RESISTANCE, 27 128 

CRATE, 334 

CREDIT CARD, 189 

CREEP, 88 120 134 153 155 

CREEP RESISTANCE, 28 358 

CREPE RUBBER, 291 

CROSSLINKED, 54 68 178 210 

302 339 

CROSSLINKING, 52 62 118 148 

218 

CROSSLINKING AGENT, 15 132 

CRUMB RUBBER, 37 152 157 

172 192 196 260 279 288 291 

299 318 352 368 373 381 384 

CRYOGENIC, 37 

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, 65 

CRYSTALLINITY, 20 65 204 273 

375 

CRYSTALLISATION, 55 273 

CUMENE HYDROPEROXIDE, 

167 

CUMYL HYDROPEROXIDE, 167 

CURE TIME, 292 319 

CURING, 23 34 45 88 94 112 128 

141 143 149 167 196 248 283 

319 320 335 350 376 

CURING AGENT, 15 132 167 273 

283 

CURING BLADDER, 127 

CURING PRESS, 324 

CURING PRESSURE, 143 

CURING TEMPERATURE, 143 

248 273 274 292 376 

CURVATURE, 49 79 333 

CUSHION, 15 225 284 

CUSHION FLOOR, 145 

CUSHIONING, 59 74 152 208 395 

CUSTOM COMPOUNDING, 229 

CUSTOM MOULDING, 211 337 

364 

CUT RESISTANCE, 244 

CUTLERY, 28 

CUTTING, 5 115 222 340 

CYCLE TIME, 32 38 46 53 61 74 

97 100 127 131 261 292 343 

361 

CYCLING, 93 

CYLINDER, 6 

D 

DAMPER, 127 

DAMPING, 36 38 52 59 84 88 141 

155 178 261 283 296 372 

DASHBOARD, 90 

DATA STORAGE, 337 

DATABASE, 229 

DEBT, 91 

DECK, 50 119 129 262 

DECORATION, 90 97 115 120 153 

166 222 231 248 359 377 

DEEP DRAWING, 294 

DEFECT, 46 79 167 276 

DEFENCE APPLICATION, 266 

301 

DEFORMATION, 7 59 79 88 142 

150 254 296 

DEGRADABLE, 189 

DEGRADATION, 65 75 132 134 

135 162 263 

DEGREE OF 

POLYMERISATION, 375 

DELAMINATION, 4 251 315 320 

375 

DEMAND, 17 30 52 60 80 94 118 

121 130 193 210 233 239 260 

266 312 332 333 343 379 

DEMOULD, 273 319 

DEMOULDING, 5 222 366 

DENIER, 228 

DENSITY, 52 64 65 68 74 77 78 79 

100 109 115 118 120 135 142 

153 155 166 210 248 261 276 

284 304 305 319 324 325 326 

375 

DENTAL APPLICATION, 56 

DESIGN, 4 5 11 12 19 21 22 28 29 

34 35 38 39 45 46 53 56 61 63 

66 68 71 79 83 93 106 118 122 

133 141 143 150 158 159 161 

165 179 188 197 198 201 205 

206 207 209 212 217 238 250 

252 255 264 265 269 270 275 

278 285 290 302 307 308 311 

319 321 327 331 332 340 345 

354 355 378 386 392 393 395 

DEVELOPMENT, 6 8 29 40 42 52 

66 74 83 93 119 123 156 160 

186 190 194 202 204 207 246 

260 270 272 346 385 387 393 

DIAMETER, 97 117 293 319 

DICYCLOPENTADIENE 

POLYMER, 290 

DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES, 325 

DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL 

ANALYSIS, 273 305 

DIFFUSION COATING, 64 

DIFUNCTIONAL, 273 

DIISOCYANATE, 273 

DIMENSION, 41 50 79 134 247 

332 375 

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY, 53 

102 112 219 319 341 343 375 

DIMENSIONLESS, 275 

DIMENSIONLESS ANALYSIS, 

64 

DIMETHYL ANILINE, 167 

DINGHY, 41 44 50 109 114 340 

DIPHENYLMETHANE 

DIISOCYANATE, 33 42 162 

218 273 289 306 307 324 330 

DIPPED, 291 

DIPPING, 291 

DIRECT INJECTION, 68 

DIRECT MOULDING, 324 

DIRECTIVE, 101 114 125 

DIRT REPELLENT, 102 

DISC, 194 

DISCOLOURATION, 325 

DISCOLOURATION 

RESISTANCE, 51 

DISCONTINUOUS, 39 

DISCRETISATION, 79 

DISPENSER, 343 

DISPENSING, 66 344 

DISPERSANT, 326 

DISPERSING AGENT, 326 

DISPERSION, 132 167 

DISPLACEMENT, 142 296 

DISPLAY PANEL, 338 392 

DISTORTION, 335 

DISTRIBUTION, 229 

DISTRIBUTOR, 229 271 381 

DIVERSIFICATION, 166 211 340 

DIVING EQUIPMENT, 67 173 

DIVING MASK, 173 308 

DIVING SUIT, 116 173 

DOMAIN, 276 


Subject Index 

DOME, 320 

DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT, 38 86 

90 94 101 122 139 191 212 220 

DOOR, 38 112 

DRAINAGE, 134 

DRAPEABILITY, 39 127 

DRAWING, 228 

DRIVE SHAFT, 155 

DROP-WEIGHT, 335 

DROPLET, 305 

DRY TRACTION, 273 274 

DRYING, 230 276 

DUAL DENSITY, 68 304 

DUAL INJECTION MOULDING, 

38 166 

DUCTILITY, 143 

DURABILITY, 5 14 24 29 38 42 

46 47 51 91 122 149 171 215 

225 235 246 252 262 273 274 

276 284 303 306 310 329 367 

370 371 

DUST, 275 

DYE, 359 

DYEABILITY, 228 

DYNAMIC LOADING, 296 

DYNAMIC MECHANICAL 

ANALYSIS, 224 


PROPERTIES, 120 148 153 

224 274 296 


THERMAL ANALYSIS, 148 

DYNAMIC MODULUS, 296 

DYNAMIC PROPERTIES, 20 120 

148 153 224 274 296 

DYNAMIC STORAGE 

MODULUS, 307 

DYNAMIC 

THERMOMECHANICAL 

ANALYSIS, 148 

E 

E-GLASS, 254 320 

E-MODULUS, 11 296 

EARNINGS, 129 193 

EARTHQUAKE, 183 243 

EASY-OPEN, 146 

EBONITE, 305 

EDUCATION, 179 

EFFICIENCY, 5 

EJECTION, 255 

ELASTIC DEFORMATION, 296 

ELASTIC MEMORY, 228 325 

ELASTIC MODULUS, 11 64 79 

88 135 141 248 296 319 

ELASTIC PROPERTIES, 19 20 88 

145 274 

ELASTICITY, 88 97 120 142 145 

153 178 217 228 296 

ELBOW, 216 

ELECTRIC CAR, 91 

ELECTRIC VEHICLE, 397 

ELECTRICAL APPLICATION, 17 

204 229 391 

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, 

12 155 176 305 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, 123 

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES, 33 

305 325 

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY, 64 

325 

ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE, 

391 

ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD, 

343 391 

ELECTRON BEAM CURING, 333 

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY, 113 

267 

ELECTRON SCANNING 

MICROSCOPY, 113 267 

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION, 75 

80 89 156 193 266 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, 33 

64 86 391 

ELECTROSTATIC, 216 

ELECTROSTATIC ADHESION, 

88 

ELECTROSTATIC BONDING, 88 

ELECTROSTATIC COATING, 181 

ELECTROSTATIC PROPERTIES, 

305 

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYING, 94 

ELLIPTICAL, 319 

ELONGATION, 210 228 274 306 

ELONGATION AT BREAK, 88 

102 155 307 319 324 

EMISSION, 165 167 

EMISSION CONTROL, 31 

EMPLOYEE, 62 91 108 131 288 

295 

EMPLOYMENT, 44 92 114 135 

229 230 231 271 301 364 373 

ENCAPSULATION, 205 

ENCLOSURE, 294 

END CAP, 273 

END-CAPPING, 273 

ENDOTHERMIC AGENT, 343 

ENERGY ABSORPTION, 4 6 23 

25 27 35 36 59 88 160 190 202 

206 212 255 286 302 304 319 

335 394 

ENERGY APPLICATION, 64 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 3 54 

127 

ENERGY DISSIPATION, 20 117 

ENERGY RECOVERY, 101 125 

ENERGY TRANSFER, 293 

ENGINE, 320 

ENGINE COVER, 129 

ENGINEERING, 61 80 285 

ENGINEERING APPLICATION, 

17 41 48 49 61 70 80 82 87 115 

135 166 217 231 248 249 268 

269 285 375 379 

ENGINEERING PLASTIC, 17 41 

48 49 70 82 87 115 135 166 

197 198 204 212 217 231 248 

249 268 269 375 379 

ENGINEERING 

THERMOPLASTIC, 197 198 

204 212 343 345 346 359 

ENVIRONMENT, 37 167 168 289 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, 42 

52 189 232 298 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

LEGISLATION, 101 125 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

PROTECTION, 25 216 260 330 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

RESISTANCE, 325 330 

EPOXY RESIN, 4 6 8 11 23 31 35 

36 43 47 62 64 79 88 94 103 

109 112 118 122 128 141 143 

151 158 166 167 179 188 193 

201 245 247 248 254 261 265 

283 292 296 319 320 321 333 

335 344 350 356 357 370 371 

375 376 377 

EPOXY-VINYL ESTER RESIN, 

129 167 

EQUATION, 64 77 79 98 161 194 

305 319 

EQUESTRIAN, 373 

EQUIPMENT, 46 66 80 137 149 

218 232 260 336 344 370 

ERGONOMIC, 212 

ETHYLENE-GLYCOL 

COPOLYMER, 120 153 

ETHYLENE-OCTENE 

COPOLYMER, 287 

ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE- 

DIENE TERPOLYMER, 38 

192 239 246 273 274 328 

ETHYLENE-STYRENE 


ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE 

COPOLYMER, 59 68 78 81 

124 194 225 264 276 320 324 

EVALUATION, 11 254 

EXERCISER, 130 

EXHIBITION, 41 44 50 68 114 

138 216 221 297 302 318 

EXOTHERMIC, 167 


Subject Index 

EXPANDED, 4 27 78 304 336 380 

EXPANSION, 155 209 

EXPANSION COEFFICIENT, 284 

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, 19 

EXPORT, 41 42 44 66 68 86 91 92 

114 146 168 227 228 234 272 

291 324 340 366 379 395 

EXTENDER, 274 276 

EXTENSOMETRY, 79 142 

EXTRUDING, 8 13 20 52 55 66 72 

84 135 166 203 217 221 234 

248 253 258 

EXTRUSION, 8 13 20 52 55 66 72 

84 135 166 203 217 221 234 

248 253 258 334 377 

EXTRUSION BLOW MOULD, 

375 

EXTRUSION COMPOUNDING, 

135 

EYE PROTECTION, 345 

F 

FABRIC, 14 26 41 50 81 87 102 

113 114 116 189 223 228 257 

333 340 365 394 

FABRIC REINFORCED, 348 

FABRICATION, 5 215 267 335 

FACADE, 102 

FAILURE, 45 98 118 

FAILURE ANALYSIS, 65 

FAIRING, 22 

FANCY GOODS, 115 

FASTENER, 38 217 

FASTENING, 102 134 

FATIGUE, 88 134 141 155 248 307 

319 320 376 

FATIGUE RESISTANCE, 20 262 

FAULT DIAGNOSIS, 167 

FEE, 383 

FEEDSTOCK, 381 

FELT, 310 

FENCING, 378 

FERTILISER, 382 

FIBRE, 30 39 47 64 71 82 87 89 

134 144 152 156 165 167 190 

200 226 228 231 232 239 253 

257 292 333 360 375 379 394 

FIBRE ANGLE, 79 

FIBRE CONTENT, 79 96 204 313 

FIBRE DIAMETER, 228 

FIBRE GLASS, 60 64 83 347 

FIBRE LENGTH, 293 

FIBRE ORIENTATION, 79 141 

142 143 261 293 319 335 359 

FIBRE PLACEMENT, 335 

FIBRE SPINNING, 228 

FIBRE TREATMENT, 119 

FIBRE-REINFORCED PLASTIC, 

3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 35 36 41 63 

70 79 81 83 87 89 109 116 121 

127 128 141 142 143 151 155 

156 158 165 166 179 180 182 

183 193 200 216 222 231 243 

245 247 248 250 261 265 266 

277 283 285 292 293 301 303 

335 

FIBRE-REINFORCED RUBBER, 

87 89 251 

FIBREFILL, 228 

FILAMENT, 155 165 223 232 375 

FILAMENT WINDING, 6 128 143 

155 165 216 251 316 320 367 

FILAMENT WOUND, 333 

FILLED, 166 

FILLER, 25 108 121 177 216 228 

246 248 273 274 276 305 

FILLING, 40 46 

FILM, 84 94 120 153 163 186 234 

284 360 375 

FILTER, 203 230 294 

FILTRATION, 216 

FIN, 21 

FINANCE, 1 8 17 41 44 50 68 114 

115 128 129 134 135 162 166 

168 203 226 229 230 231 291 

301 340 377 

FINE STRUCTURE, 261 

FINISHING, 29 337 343 

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS, 

54 79 128 142 143 151 179 194 

206 296 307 319 335 

FINITE ELEMENT ITERATIVE 

METHOD, 54 79 128 142 143 

151 179 194 206 296 

FIRE FIGHTING, 6 

FIRE RESISTANCE, 6 

FISHING, 287 

FISHING APPLICATION, 287 308 

379 

FISHING BOAT, 320 340 

FISHING REEL, 379 

FISHING ROD, 367 391 

FIXING DEVICE, 123 

FLAME PROOFING, 16 204 

FLAME RETARDANCE, 16 204 

FLAMMABILITY, 16 53 88 102 

134 247 343 

FLASH SPINNING, 338 

FLATNESS, 79 

FLAW, 29 40 

FLEECE, 394 

FLEX CRACK, 235 276 

FLEX RESISTANCE, 235 

FLEXIBILITY, 13 15 20 21 101 

102 117 146 154 185 212 215 

244 246 269 324 325 335 340 

350 372 374 395 

FLEXURAL MODULUS, 11 154 

284 358 359 

FLEXURAL PROPERTIES, 11 18 

23 38 47 48 55 72 73 79 88 96 

109 119 120 135 141 142 143 

146 151 153 154 155 161 165 

166 167 204 215 235 254 261 

265 266 273 276 284 296 306 

319 320 343 

FLEXURAL STRENGTH, 11 120 

153 324 325 

FLEXURE, 18 142 319 

FLIPPER, 28 261 

FLOAT, 41 340 375 376 

FLOOR, 24 25 91 177 190 275 296 

330 352 361 369 

FLOW, 128 141 269 276 

FLOW ANALYSIS, 361 

FLOW CHART, 335 

FLOW LINE, 65 276 

FLOW PROPERTIES, 12 216 242 

FLUORINE COMPOUND, 248 

FLUOROELASTOMER, 229 

FLUOROPOLYMER, 261 

FOAM, 4 13 15 19 27 31 41 42 50 

51 52 62 66 68 74 75 78 79 81 

87 95 98 101 104 107 114 118 

138 162 166 167 170 178 186 

199 210 220 225 227 228 231 

248 254 261 264 276 281 289 

291 296 300 303 304 306 320 

324 326 336 337 339 344 351 

355 365 369 372 374 375 376 

377 380 395 

FOAM-CORE, 4 8 31 127 129 261 

302 343 

FOAMING AGENT, 15 284 

FOGGING RESISTANCE, 49 

FOLDABLE, 12 41 114 294 

FOOD PACKAGING, 33 281 

FOOTBALL, 84 130 153 186 194 

338 358 379 396 

FOOTWEAR, 15 48 59 61 68 69 

73 74 75 76 77 78 81 82 87 92 

93 96 99 120 124 130 132 135 

138 144 149 152 153 166 168 

178 189 190 197 215 224 225 

229 231 234 237 244 246 248 

255 262 263 273 274 275 276 

284 291 306 309 311 324 325 

326 358 359 378 379 385 389 

FORCE, 142 194 274 275 276 296 

305 

FORECAST, 121 173 182 237 239 

240 241 379 389 393 

FOREIGN TRADE, 41 44 68 114 


Subject Index 

168 228 324 340 379 

FORMING, 1 29 31 40 170 294 

FORMULATION, 19 69 148 174 

195 229 295 362 363 385 

FRACTURE MORPHOLOGY, 148 

FRACTURE RESISTANCE, 122 

FRAME, 22 262 319 

FRANCHISE, 208 359 

FREQUENCY, 120 296 

FRICTION, 64 97 145 270 275 307 

FRICTION COEFFICIENT, 212 

273 274 275 276 305 

FRICTION PROPERTIES, 64 145 

154 273 274 275 276 305 

FUEL, 125 169 

FUEL CONSUMPTION, 3 322 

FUEL ECONOMY, 354 

FUEL RESISTANCE, 287 340 

FUEL SYSTEM, 80 

FUNCTIONALITY, 308 

FUNDING, 383 

FUNGAL RESISTANCE, 134 

FURNISHING, 90 

FURNITURE, 24 86 94 101 103 

105 134 374 

FUSED DEPOSITION 

MODELLING, 207 

FUSIBLE CORE, 12 

G 

GALVANISATION, 64 

GAME, 168 

GARAGE DOOR, 129 

GAS, 186 

GAS BARRIER, 134 333 

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY, 305 

GAS INJECTION, 357 

GAS INJECTION MOULDING, 

53 259 277 293 308 

GAS PERMEABILITY, 134 

GAS-ASSISTED, 24 29 40 46 66 

259 271 277 

GAS-PHASE, 186 

GASIFICATION, 125 

GASKET, 107 386 

GATE, 65 276 

GATING, 255 361 

GEAR, 17 80 268 

GEL, 5 87 103 

GEL COAT, 41 112 114 129 167 

227 319 363 

GEL TIME, 167 

GELATION, 167 

GELLING, 167 

GEOGRID, 134 

GEOMEMBRANE, 134 

GEOMETRY, 141 142 143 296 

GEOTEXTILE, 134 381 

GLASS, 5 

GLASS FIBRE, 60 64 83 347 

GLASS FIBRE-REINFORCED 

PLASTIC, 4 5 6 7 8 28 31 32 

35 41 43 48 50 55 61 62 63 66 

87 88 93 96 97 104 109 112 

114 118 119 122 127 129 154 

156 166 167 170 171 182 193 

204 217 221 226 227 231 245 

247 248 259 261 268 270 278 

284 292 296 303 313 319 320 

323 329 331 333 337 339 348 

350 351 359 362 363 375 376 

377 397 

GLASS FILLED, 84 

GLASS MAT, 167 359 

GLASS TRANSITION 

TEMPERATURE, 20 120 153 

273 324 

GLAZING, 88 

GLOBALISATION, 83 379 

GLOSS, 94 135 

GLOVE, 6 84 233 235 291 

GLYCOLYSIS, 101 

GOGGLES, 87 211 269 

GOLF, 40 120 130 153 166 237 

309 379 381 

GOLF BALL, 91 108 120 148 153 

159 240 241 256 314 

GOLF CART, 12 

GOLF CLUB, 9 10 82 83 91 100 

128 207 238 239 240 271 277 

293 301 308 316 333 344 346 

356 357 367 370 391 

GOLF COURSE, 152 208 279 332 

382 396 

GOLF SHAFT, 9 10 83 271 

GOLF TROLLEY, 332 397 

GRADE, 20 23 52 72 195 209 

GRANT, 383 

GRANULAR, 208 

GRANULATE, 176 

GRANULATION, 213 373 

GRANULATOR, 324 

GRAPHICS, 303 

GRAPHITE, 305 

GRAPHITE FIBRE, 8 

GRAPHITE FIBRE- 

REINFORCED PLASTIC, 10 

18 89 250 261 346 356 357 

GRASS, 57 275 396 

GREENHOUSE, 234 284 

GRINDER, 203 

GRINDING, 177 190 203 230 260 

GRIP, 38 43 106 202 212 239 

GROWTH, 83 160 348 389 

GROWTH RATE, 17 41 44 49 50 

80 82 86 91 94 105 114 128 

129 130 156 166 171 173 193 

204 210 231 234 241 284 313 

343 357 379 

GYMNASTIC EQUIPMENT, 214 

H 

HALOBUTYL RUBBER, 274 

HALOGENATION, 324 

HAND LAY-UP, 112 141 167 227 

265 320 

HANDLE, 18 38 56 84 123 212 

311 

HANDLEBAR, 87 

HANDLING, 46 140 366 

HARD SEGMENT, 120 144 153 

228 325 

HARDENER, 283 

HARDENING, 83 

HARDNESS, 20 68 74 78 84 88 

115 120 153 212 248 263 273 

274 276 284 305 319 325 

HARDTOP, 3 

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, 25 

HEAD REST, 15 

HEADGEAR, 115 

HEALTH, 75 

HEALTH HAZARD, 42 164 

HEAT, 270 350 

HEAT ACTIVATION, 339 

HEAT AGEING, 56 147 

HEAT DEFLECTION 

TEMPERATURE, 304 

HEAT DEGRADATION, 147 

HEAT DISTRIBUTION, 116 

HEAT EXCHANGE, 305 

HEAT FLUX, 54 

HEAT INSULATION, 24 101 135 

228 247 

HEAT PAD, 235 

HEAT REFLECTION, 228 

HEAT RESISTANCE, 6 16 33 34 

55 64 88 112 115 122 132 134 

276 340 376 

HEAT STABILISER, 134 

HEAT STABILITY, 34 

HEAT TRANSFER, 54 235 

HEAT TRANSMISSION, 228 

HEAT TREATMENT, 116 

HEAT-SEALING, 134 

HEATED, 54 283 

HEATING, 54 283 325 

HEATING ELEMENT, 116 

HEAVY GAUGE, 294 

HEAVY-DUTY, 103 

HEAVY-VEHICLE TYRE, 136 

HEEL, 273 


Subject Index 

HELMET, 6 49 87 106 171 256 

300 304 378 

HIGH DENSITY, 117 

HIGH DENSITY 

POLYETHYLENE, 41 54 65 66 

82 134 166 171 248 258 305 

334 338 343 364 395 

HIGH FREQUENCY WELD, 340 

HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE, 

171 294 343 

HIGH MODULUS, 88 

HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT, 

305 

HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRE, 

282 

HIGH SPEED TYRE, 133 

HIGH TEMPERATURE, 204 335 

HIKING BOOT, 48 93 311 

HINDERED AMINE, 163 

HINGE, 308 

HISTORY, 64 89 159 184 353 387 

388 

HOCKEY, 308 

HOCKEY STICK, 261 

HOLLOW, 53 165 

HOLLOW ARTICLE, 127 375 395 

HOLLOW CHAMBER 

CONSTRUCTION, 394 

HOLLOW FIBRE, 228 

HONEYCOMB, 142 248 296 320 

376 394 

HONEYCOMB STRUCTURE, 6 7 

8 333 347 

HORIZONTAL, 275 

HORIZONTAL MACHINE, 68 

HORSE RACING, 85 

HORSE RIDING, 85 

HORSE SHOE, 284 

HORTICULTURAL 


HOSE, 291 

HOT AIR WELDING, 334 

HOT MELT ADHESIVE, 132 

HOT RUNNER, 366 

HOUSEWARE, 90 122 

HOUSEWARES, 90 122 220 

HOUSING, 337 391 

HOVERCRAFT, 320 

HUB, 308 

HULL, 5 41 50 63 79 87 109 114 

119 129 167 247 320 331 363 

375 376 

HUMIDITY, 305 

HYBRID, 94 114 359 

HYBRID COMPOSITE, 18 43 247 

248 319 

HYBRID POLYMER, 302 

HYDRAULIC, 46 280 

HYDROCARBON, 305 

HYDROFLUOROALKANE, 305 

HYDROGEN BOND, 276 

HYDROGEN SULFIDE, 134 

HYDROLYSIS, 132 135 153 273 

HYDROLYSIS RESISTANCE, 132 

HYDROLYTIC STABILITY, 120 

244 306 324 

HYGROSCOPIC, 36 

HYGROSCOPICITY, 276 

HYSTERESIS, 20 120 153 325 

I 

ICE, 305 

ICE SKATE, 73 82 100 135 187 

248 261 270 278 317 

IMMERSION, 79 90 

IMPACT, 275 296 307 319 335 

IMPACT ENERGY, 59 

IMPACT MODIFIED, 100 150 171 

204 293 

IMPACT MODIFIER, 135 187 242 

IMPACT PROPERTIES, 6 20 27 

28 32 49 51 65 72 73 84 88 96 

97 98 100 102 110 114 115 117 

119 120 135 146 153 154 166 

185 190 194 206 217 242 247 

248 249 261 262 269 270 275 

278 296 

IMPACT RESISTANCE, 20 27 51 

72 73 84 96 97 98 100 110 117 

119 146 154 185 206 249 261 

269 270 304 328 344 362 

IMPACT STRENGTH, 6 20 28 32 

49 65 88 102 114 115 120 135 

153 166 217 242 247 248 278 

284 320 322 341 375 377 

IMPACTOR, 296 

IMPORT, 17 80 168 228 240 291 

379 

IMPREGNATION, 167 170 216 

247 

IN-HOUSE, 356 

IN-MOULD COLOURING, 3 

IN-MOULD DECORATING, 248 

IN-SITU POLYMERISATION, 

374 

INCINERATION, 101 125 

INCOME, 91 

INCUBATOR, 116 

INDENTOR, 194 

INDOOR SPORTS SURFACE, 328 

INDUCTION CURING, 370 

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION, 91 

122 123 182 210 

INDUSTRIAL ROBOT, 340 377 

INDUSTRIAL TYRE, 307 

INDUSTRY, 5 71 149 

INFLATABLE, 14 26 41 44 50 84 

114 137 203 340 

INFLATABLE STRUCTURE, 333 

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 

SYSTEM, 229 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 

343 

INFRASTRUCTURE, 266 333 

INFUSION MOULDING, 167 

INJECTION, 346 

INJECTION BLOW MOULDING, 

217 

INJECTION MOULD, 68 203 324 

375 377 

INJECTION MOULDED, 303 334 

INJECTION MOULDING, 3 12 15 

20 24 28 29 40 46 53 55 56 61 

64 65 66 68 71 73 78 84 86 87 

96 97 100 110 115 120 131 134 

135 138 150 153 154 163 166 

171 178 191 197 198 203 211 

217 218 221 229 231 234 248 

253 259 262 264 270 271 276 

277 278 280 287 290 293 309 

314 316 317 323 337 343 361 

366 385 395 

INJECTION MOULDING 

MACHINE, 40 46 131 202 244 

337 

INJECTION PRESSURE, 202 283 

INJECTION UNIT, 202 244 

INSERT, 141 143 153 217 283 324 

INSERT MOULD, 20 38 48 70 73 

84 97 202 212 244 325 

INSERT MOULDING, 38 120 153 

191 212 

INSOLE, 48 291 

INSTALLATION, 40 396 

INSTITUTION, 11 16 22 36 55 78 

79 87 113 118 142 168 176 194 

214 254 296 

INSTRUMENT PANEL, 234 294 

INSULATED, 13 177 

INSULATION, 13 24 101 102 134 

135 177 228 229 247 355 369 

374 

INTEGRAL SKIN FOAM, 304 

336 343 

INTERCHANGEABLE, 73 

INTERFACE, 73 

INTERFACIAL ADHESION, 319 

320 

INTERLAMINAR SHEAR, 333 

INTERNAL STRESS, 143 

INVESTMENT, 1 8 17 128 129 

162 203 226 230 291 301 314 

343 356 359 366 377 


Subject Index 

IONENE POLYMER, 166 

IONOMER, 166 

IONOMER RESIN, 241 256 

IRON OXIDE, 235 

ISOCYANATE, 132 218 307 324 

ISOCYANATE GROUP, 324 

ISOPARAMETRIC, 79 

ITERATION, 79 

J 

JACKETING, 255 

JET SKI, 5 119 227 

JEWELLERY, 115 

JOINT, 216 

JOINT VENTURE, 17 80 91 119 

202 337 

JUST-IN-TIME, 5 

K 

KAYAK, 1 15 39 41 50 87 114 334 

364 

KEEL, 41 50 114 340 

KEVLAR, 154 245 

KILN, 125 

KINEMATIC, 274 

KINETIC, 274 275 305 

KINETIC ENERGY, 328 

KNIFE, 28 

KNITTED FABRIC, 363 

KNITTING, 60 

KNOB, 212 

L 

LABORATORY TEST, 274 

LACQUER, 276 

LADDER, 203 216 

LAMINATE, 4 23 36 41 52 79 87 

116 134 137 141 142 143 167 

194 228 234 248 289 296 303 

320 350 363 365 

LAMINATING, 141 167 

LAMINATION, 75 223 247 320 

LANDFILL, 125 330 

LARGE-COMPONENT, 68 114 

167 

LASER, 294 

LATEX, 164 176 177 291 

LATICES, 164 176 177 291 

LAUNCH TUBE, 155 

LAW, 114 298 

LAWNMOWER, 332 

LAY-UP, 141 167 320 335 

LEAD TIME, 128 202 

LEAKPROOF, 355 

LEASING, 50 

LEATHER, 68 

LEGISLATION, 101 114 125 298 

343 

LEISURE APPLICATION, 5 40 62 

66 93 108 122 166 168 203 209 

214 226 230 285 296 308 332 

341 379 392 

LENGTH, 41 50 247 275 305 334 

LENS, 87 115 

LICENCE, 2 29 40 42 90 95 170 

193 216 279 299 301 381 

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS, 189 

LIFE RAFT, 114 

LIFE-JACKET, 26 

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE, 26 114 

LIFEBOAT, 41 50 88 247 320 340 

LIFETIME PREDICTION, 258 

LIGHT DEGRADATION, 154 273 

LIGHT MICROSCOPY, 305 

LIGHT REFLECTION, 49 

LIGHT REFRACTION, 228 

LIGHT RESISTANCE, 49 134 135 

228 340 

LIGHT STABILISER, 134 163 273 

LIGHT STABILITY, 273 

LIGHT TRANSMISSION, 284 

LIGHTING APPLICATION, 122 

LIGHTWEIGHT, 5 6 9 13 14 21 23 

30 41 47 48 49 52 60 61 99 109 

115 120 138 170 185 187 197 

222 250 270 301 302 304 308 

322 338 346 357 371 390 394 

LINEAR LOW DENSITY 

POLYETHYLENE, 339 

LINING, 333 385 

LINOLEUM, 275 

LIQUID, 235 

LIQUID ADDITIVE, 68 

LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER, 

113 375 379 

LIQUID CURING MEDIUM, 273 

LIQUID INJECTION 

MOULDING, 64 

LIQUID POLYMER, 34 

LIQUID RESIN, 167 

LIQUID RUBBER, 308 

LITHOGRAPHY, 34 

LIVING HINGE, 262 

LOADBEARING, 73 

LOADING, 79 142 143 254 274 

275 276 296 

LONG FIBRE, 165 167 231 253 

342 375 

LOOSE FILL, 208 

LOSS, 301 

LOST-CORE PROCESS, 96 171 

LOW DENSITY, 13 115 135 155 

325 

LOW DENSITY 

POLYETHYLENE, 13 87 171 

302 334 

LOW MODULUS, 88 320 

LOW PRESSURE, 74 343 

LOW SHRINKAGE, 319 

LOW TEMPERATURE, 306 

LOW TEMPERATURE CURING, 

94 

LOW TEMPERATURE 

PROPERTIES, 15 28 32 33 102 

120 135 146 153 154 166 187 

244 252 261 262 273 276 324 

325 341 

LOW VISCOSITY, 88 141 319 

LUBRICANT, 134 305 

LUBRICATION, 305 

LUBRICITY, 146 

M 

MACHINE, 1 39 68 80 94 129 138 

143 167 169 203 216 229 247 

251 260 273 276 280 283 319 

324 364 376 377 

MACHINERY, 1 39 40 46 68 80 94 

129 131 138 143 167 169 202 

203 216 229 244 247 251 260 

273 276 280 283 319 324 333 

334 343 359 364 366 376 377 

MACHINING, 115 

MAGNESIUM, 389 390 

MAINTENANCE, 131 

MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 

COPOLYMER, 115 

MANDREL, 128 

MANGANESE BRONZE, 254 

MANUFACTURE, 22 25 45 63 68 

71 83 122 123 186 209 254 294 

345 353 385 387 388 390 

MANUFACTURER, 5 23 38 40 62 

72 118 195 233 260 270 272 

288 300 324 

MANUFACTURING, 46 47 66 131 

MARINE APPLICATION, 41 44 

50 60 64 89 114 118 182 221 

226 247 254 312 320 363 375 

376 

MARKET, 5 41 44 49 50 52 61 68 

108 114 150 158 166 168 201 

203 231 258 260 285 340 348 

375 379 381 389 

MARKET GROWTH, 30 41 44 49 

50 62 114 166 175 182 195 241 

MARKET RESEARCH, 211 

MARKET SHARE, 17 42 44 50 66 

80 82 91 94 105 122 171 174 

184 193 195 205 210 227 237 


Subject Index 

238 240 241 244 284 291 314 

316 318 357 366 374 389 

MARKET TREND, 23 62 195 241 

MARKETING, 184 258 377 381 

MASK, 378 

MAST, 11 109 142 320 

MAT, 13 25 381 

MATERIAL, 45 83 118 123 176 

270 

MATERIAL REPLACEMENT, 24 

29 31 33 35 49 70 77 150 165 

168 170 172 179 180 189 192 

199 206 212 221 226 233 234 

238 250 257 267 287 296 297 

298 303 304 316 320 321 322 

331 340 346 351 354 360 362 

363 393 

MATERIALS SELECTION, 35 61 

72 118 141 179 180 209 221 

222 265 268 269 270 274 307 

319 321 363 

MATERIALS SUBSTITUTION, 

24 29 31 33 49 70 150 165 168 

189 212 226 233 234 303 304 

316 321 322 331 340 346 351 

354 360 362 363 393 

MATHEMATICAL MODEL, 11 

142 

MATRIX, 5 122 285 

MATTING, 13 25 

MATTRESS, 26 105 

MDI, 33 42 162 218 273 289 306 

307 324 330 

MECHANICAL FASTENING, 102 

134 

MECHANICAL PART, 217 230 

375 386 392 

MECHANICAL RECYCLING, 

101 230 

MEDICAL APPLICATION, 26 52 

164 234 365 372 

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, 86 294 

MELT, 38 

MELT FLOW, 244 

MELT FLOW INDEX, 65 334 

MELT FLOW RATE, 110 334 

MELT TEMPERATURE, 65 212 

255 

MELTING, 55 325 

MELTING POINT, 325 

MELTS, 38 

MEMBRANE, 102 120 134 153 

223 228 

MERGER, 58 91 166 340 380 

MESH, 396 

METAL, 18 38 41 88 270 350 

METAL ADHESION, 88 

METAL COATING, 94 

METAL FIBRE, 64 

METAL INSERT, 141 143 217 283 

325 

METAL REPLACEMENT, 12 39 

143 171 188 197 204 217 237 

243 262 266 308 309 320 333 

337 343 354 397 

METAL-REINFORCED, 377 

METALLISED, 115 135 

METALLISING, 343 377 

METALLOCENE, 52 195 210 287 

METERING, 283 344 

METHACRYLATE POLYMER, 

158 

METHACRYLIC ESTER 

POLYMER, 158 

MICA, 274 

MICROBEAD, 344 

MICROBIAL DEGRADATION, 

306 

MICROCELLULAR, 69 324 326 

MICRODEFORMATION, 142 

MICROFIBRE, 228 232 

MICROFILAMENT, 375 

MICRONISATION, 230 

MICROPOROUS, 228 365 375 

MICROSPHERE, 186 

MIGRATION, 134 276 340 

MILITARY APPLICATION, 6 50 

193 306 333 340 

MILL, 37 

MINE SWEEPER, 247 

MINERAL FILLER, 276 

MINERAL-REINFORCED, 204 

MINESWEEPER, 247 320 

MISSILE, 155 

MIXER, 95 

MIXING, 31 92 186 273 274 283 

324 344 381 

MODEL, 11 19 79 142 143 194 

296 307 

MODIFICATION, 72 187 276 336 

MODIFIER, 13 20 148 154 

MODULUS, 64 128 194 274 307 

320 356 360 

MOISTURE ABSORPTION, 36 

204 248 284 325 394 

MOISTURE CONTENT, 255 305 

MOISTURE CURING, 88 

MOISTURE RESISTANCE, 154 

166 

MOISTURE VAPOUR 

TRANSMISSION, 120 153 228 

394 

MOLECULAR STRUCTURE, 20 

120 153 204 305 

MOLECULAR WEIGHT, 82 120 

153 248 273 305 375 

MONOCOQUE, 127 141 143 154 

165 188 227 245 247 335 354 

376 377 

MONOLITHIC, 247 

MOONEY-RIVLIN CONSTANT, 

307 

MORPHOLOGY, 148 276 

MOTION, 275 

MOTOR BOAT, 41 50 114 247 320 

340 376 

MOTOR CYCLE, 6 49 162 341 

MOTOR CYCLE TYRE, 332 

MOTOR SPORT APPLICATION, 

27 117 354 

MOULD, 40 68 143 167 203 229 

247 273 285 292 319 324 335 

359 376 377 

MOULD CHANGING, 68 244 

MOULD COOLING, 39 

MOULD DESIGN, 12 39 255 361 

377 381 

MOULD FLOW, 276 361 

MOULD HEATING, 39 

MOULD MAKING, 202 

MOULD RELEASE AGENT, 31 

68 255 319 

MOULD TEMPERATURE, 65 276 

339 

MOULDED, 21 386 

MOULDING, 4 5 27 31 39 41 55 

70 72 74 87 107 111 127 128 

129 143 151 158 167 202 203 

209 211 224 226 227 229 230 

231 254 261 265 268 271 272 

273 283 285 295 300 306 308 

316 324 336 381 

MOULDING COMPOUND, 5 135 

MOULDING FAULT, 276 

MOULDING PRESSURE, 273 

MOULDMAKING, 202 319 327 

335 366 377 

MOUNTAIN BICYCLE, 47 87 88 

109 127 216 217 319 386 

MOUNTAINEERING, 120 153 

379 

MOUTHGUARD, 194 

MULCH, 157 

MULTIAXIAL, 60 

MULTICAVITY MOULD, 366 

MULTICOLOUR, 74 244 324 

MULTICOMPONENT, 56 244 

MULTIDENSITY, 74 

MULTILAYER, 62 79 118 223 226 

244 

MULTIMATERIAL MOULDING, 

166 

MULTIPLY, 296 301 

MULTISHOT MOULDING, 202 


Subject Index 

MULTISTATION, 68 

MULTIFILAMENT, 232 

N 

NATURAL FIBRE, 228 

NATURAL RUBBER, 149 164 192 

231 239 246 273 274 291 324 

328 340 

NAVIGATION, 79 

NEOPRENE, 14 41 50 87 132 173 

229 274 

NICKEL, 391 

NICKEL ALUMINIUM BRONZE, 

254 

NODE, 142 

NOISE REDUCTION, 52 133 

NON-LINEAR, 142 

NON-POROUS, 90 

NON-SLIP, 330 

NON-STICK, 154 

NON-TYRE, 291 

NORMAL FORCE, 275 

NORMAL STRESS, 296 

NORMALISING, 275 

NOTCHED IMPACT STRENGTH, 

284 

NOZZLE, 40 

NUCLEAR MAGNETIC 

RESONANCE, 77 194 

NUCLEATION, 204 

O 

O-RING, 386 

ODOUR SUPPRESSION, 394 

OFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLE, 332 

OFFICE FURNITURE, 94 395 

OFFSHORE APPLICATION, 312 

320 

OIL, 235 274 276 

OIL EXTENDED, 274 

OIL EXTENSION, 276 

OIL MODIFIED, 274 

OIL RECOVERY, 182 320 

OIL RESISTANCE, 97 147 235 

OIL RIG, 320 

ONE-COMPONENT, 33 88 132 

197 247 335 

ONE-PART, 330 

OPACITY, 24 68 

OPEN-CELL, 296 

OPTICAL APPLICATION, 115 

269 

OPTICAL FIBRE, 236 

OPTICAL PROPERTIES, 41 49 50 

68 87 102 114 115 134 135 217 

228 248 273 325 377 378 

OPTIMISATION, 79 307 

ORIENTATION, 276 

ORIENTED, 5 

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 91 195 

239 337 

OSMOSIS, 320 

OUTBOARD MOTOR, 254 

OUTDOOR APPLICATION, 249 

274 

OUTPUT, 1 73 105 112 227 245 

280 291 

OUTSOLE, 273 274 275 

OVEN AGEING, 65 

OVEN CURING, 128 

OVERCAPACITY, 333 

OVERFLOW CAVITY, 53 

OVERLAY, 43 

OVERMOULDING, 20 38 48 70 

73 84 97 202 212 244 

OXIDATION, 65 266 

OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION, 65 

266 

P 

PACKAGING, 52 86 115 163 204 

210 217 228 230 236 281 294 

304 314 

PACKING, 386 

PAD, 15 178 190 

PADDING, 78 

PADDLE, 39 308 

PAINT, 343 

PAINTABILITY, 284 

PAINTING, 112 375 

PALE CREPE, 291 

PAN, 128 266 

PANEL, 90 258 

PARACHUTE, 379 

PARAFFIN, 305 

PARAFFIN WAX, 305 

PART REMOVAL, 202 

PART WEIGHT, 10 262 293 313 

PARTICLE SIZE, 213 

PARTNERSHIP, 17 80 91 119 202 

337 

PATENT, 23 43 73 151 152 216 

223 253 260 279 293 343 352 

PATTERN, 327 

PEDAL, 41 50 87 217 319 323 

PEEL STRENGTH, 88 147 371 

PELLET, 177 

PENTANEDIONE, 167 

PERFLUOROALKANE, 305 

PERFORMANCE, 5 38 46 47 52 

83 118 122 123 149 215 295 

307 

PERFORMANCE TYRE, 140 

PERFUME, 115 

PERMEABILITY, 120 153 228 

PERMEABLE, 330 

PEROXIDE, 167 273 

PEROXIDE VULCANISATION, 

273 

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT, 

212 

PHENOLIC RESIN, 193 248 

PHOTOCURING, 34 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, 5 23 

69 77 93 147 263 268 269 295 

PICTURE FRAME, 90 

PIEZOCHROMIC, 236 

PIGMENT, 16 65 97 187 248 270 

295 325 

PILLAR, 119 

PILLOW, 395 

PIPE, 13 54 94 320 

PLANNING, 160 258 323 348 

PLANT, 5 62 131 135 203 229 288 

295 377 

PLANT CAPACITY, 135 230 

PLANT CONSTRUCTION, 80 94 

162 266 314 

PLANT EXPANSION, 1 17 58 155 

193 260 266 288 

PLANT MODERNISATION, 129 

377 

PLANT RESTART, 266 

PLANT SHUTDOWN, 131 

PLANT START-UP, 17 128 

PLASTICISED, 75 102 

PLASTICISER, 97 134 189 295 

340 393 

PLASTICITY, 134 

PLASTICS INDUSTRY, 379 

PLASTISOL, 74 189 

PLASTOMER, 210 

PLATE, 73 81 

PLATEN, 39 46 244 343 

PLAYGROUND, 157 169 208 330 

PLUG, 100 

PLY ORIENTATION, 141 

PNEUMATIC, 160 

POLAR GROUP, 305 

POLARISED LIGHT 

MICROSCOPY, 305 

POLARITY, 276 305 

POLE, 161 

POLE VAULTING, 161 

POLISHING, 96 115 

POLYACETAL, 17 28 61 73 80 82 

87 97 146 154 166 187 217 249 

308 358 375 397 

POLYACRYLONITRILE, 128 266 

POLYAMIDE, 14 48 53 66 73 82 

84 87 97 115 135 146 147 150 


Subject Index 

166 171 176 187 191 195 212 

217 222 228 231 244 248 256 

261 264 268 270 278 292 293 

305 308 329 340 341 357 359 

366 367 377 379 397 

POLYAMIDE ELASTOMER, 120 

153 

POLYAMIDE-12, 204 

POLYAMIDE-6, 48 96 100 123 

154 165 166 187 204 222 228 

248 341 

POLYAMIDE-6,6, 7 28 123 154 

204 379 

POLYBUTADIENE, 16 246 273 

274 310 324 

POLYBUTYLENE 

TEREPHTHALATE, 187 228 

248 292 303 379 

POLYBUTYRATE, 308 

POLYCAPROAMIDE, 123 

POLYCAPROLACTAM, 123 

POLYCAPROLACTONE, 81 

POLYCARBONATE, 16 24 38 41 

49 50 70 81 87 88 114 115 166 

195 231 269 308 337 343 378 

379 

POLYCHLOROPRENE, 14 41 50 

87 132 173 229 274 340 365 

POLYDICYCLOPENTADIENE, 

290 

POLYEPICHLOROHYDRIN, 229 

POLYEPOXIDE, 4 6 8 11 23 31 35 

36 43 47 62 64 79 88 94 103 

109 112 118 122 128 141 143 

151 158 166 167 179 188 193 

201 245 247 248 254 261 265 

283 292 296 

POLYESTER ELASTOMER, 87 

120 153 

POLYESTER POLYOL, 77 326 

POLYETHER, 149 

POLYETHER AMIDE, 81 

POLYETHER ELASTOMER, 120 

POLYETHER POLYOL, 273 

POLYETHER-AMIDE BLOCK 

COPOLYMER, 20 120 153 166 

231 325 

POLYETHERETHERKETONE, 16 

POLYETHYLENE, 6 8 13 14 16 

24 25 31 41 46 50 51 52 54 62 

65 66 82 87 111 114 117 134 

139 166 168 171 200 210 217 

222 226 227 228 230 231 248 

258 261 295 302 305 320 323 

334 338 339 340 343 350 364 

365 375 377 395 

POLYETHYLENE 

NAPHTHALATE, 257 360 

POLYETHYLENE 

TEREPHTHALATE, 70 87 107 

134 228 292 308 397 

POLYFLUOROETHYLENE, 87 

149 153 

POLYIMIDE, 113 

POLYIONENE, 166 

POLYISOPRENE, 16 324 

POLYMERIC FILLER, 177 

POLYMERIC IMPACT 

MODIFIER, 135 

POLYMERIC MODIFIER, 20 

POLYMERISATION, 52 204 

POLYMERISATION CATALYST, 

287 

POLYMETHACRYLATE, 158 

POLYMETHACRYLIMIDE, 248 

POLYMETHYL 

METHACRYLATE, 231 305 

POLYOL, 219 273 307 324 330 

374 

POLYOLEFIN, 52 119 135 138 

166 195 210 223 228 248 287 

POLYOLEFIN ELASTOMER, 13 

15 81 178 210 261 

POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE, 9 

POLYPHTHALAMIDE, 308 

POLYPROPYLENE, 8 24 31 40 41 

46 52 53 55 56 57 81 84 110 

134 166 168 171 176 187 191 

195 203 223 230 231 232 244 

259 264 268 295 302 304 320 

336 361 367 375 379 395 

POLYSTYRENE, 4 16 27 31 87 98 

168 170 171 202 276 281 294 

302 320 343 375 380 

POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE, 

87 149 153 228 305 386 

POLYTETRAMETHYLENE 

ETHER GLYCOL, 273 

POLYTETRAMETHYLENE 

GLYCOL ETHER, 273 

POLYURETHANE, 2 4 7 8 24 25 

31 32 33 34 36 41 52 59 62 66 

67 68 70 75 76 77 81 82 84 87 

88 93 95 97 101 104 105 106 

107 114 120 124 128 129 132 

135 137 144 149 153 160 162 

166 186 190 192 196 199 205 

209 211 215 218 219 220 222 

224 225 227 228 231 233 235 

237 238 239 244 246 248 255 

261 262 263 273 275 276 284 

288 289 292 303 306 309 313 

320 324 325 326 327 328 329 

333 340 344 348 351 355 372 

374 375 377 384 393 395 

POLYURETHANE ELASTOMER, 

68 69 87 88 120 138 153 224 

225 228 234 248 261 273 275 

307 324 326 

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE, 4 24 

25 38 41 50 52 62 75 79 81 102 

107 114 118 132 134 135 167 

168 189 217 220 230 261 294 

295 298 300 320 324 340 369 

376 379 

POLYVINYLBENZENE, 4 27 171 

302 

POLYVINYLESTER, 87 122 158 

167 320 333 362 

POROSITY, 79 152 228 320 372 

POROUS, 228 

POST CURING, 141 

POST-CONSUMER, 101 334 

POST-INDUSTRIAL, 101 330 

POUR-IN-PLACE, 208 384 

POURING, 31 

POWDER, 24 177 216 373 

POWDER COATING, 12 94 181 

POWER TOOL, 212 

POWER TRANSMISSION BELT, 

252 

PRE-IMPREGNATED, 165 

PRE-STRESS, 64 

PRECISION MOULDING, 271 

PRECURSOR, 266 

PREFORM, 55 128 181 359 367 

376 377 

PREFORMING, 222 

PREPOLYMER, 33 75 218 306 

324 330 374 

PREPREG, 10 23 30 82 127 128 

141 143 180 181 193 200 222 

248 265 293 301 319 320 333 

335 356 357 367 376 377 

PRESS, 292 

PRESS MOULDING, 320 

PRESSURE, 5 29 74 150 275 305 

340 350 

PRESSURE BAG MOULD, 335 

PRESSURE DEPENDENCE, 275 

PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION, 377 

PRESSURE DROP, 53 

PRESSURE FORMING, 31 170 

294 

PRESSURE RESISTANCE, 6 

PRESSURE VESSEL, 155 333 

PRESSURELESS, 310 

PRESSURISED, 107 

PRICE, 3 5 7 17 30 31 46 52 61 80 

94 111 123 128 129 130 151 

153 160 168 190 193 207 262 

266 299 303 313 333 334 343 

359 366 

PRIMER, 94 


Subject Index 

PRINTABILITY, 120 

PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, 156 

193 294 

PRINTING, 115 153 186 231 292 

377 

PROCESS, 5 20 23 46 49 71 149 

177 178 180 218 226 229 255 

260 270 276 336 

PROCESSABILITY, 13 20 38 49 

96 210 212 244 261 306 

PROCESSING, 5 20 23 46 49 71 

149 177 178 180 218 226 229 

255 260 270 276 320 324 336 

340 375 385 

PROCESSING AID, 20 

PRODUCT DESIGN, 21 22 68 79 

141 143 207 217 255 275 313 

319 340 378 

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, 6 8 

42 74 119 156 190 202 204 207 

246 323 378 

PRODUCTION, 5 29 30 40 41 44 

46 49 50 61 62 68 101 114 131 

150 158 182 193 228 233 285 

291 301 324 340 356 379 381 

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, 17 80 

91 94 115 128 135 144 155 156 

193 230 266 316 324 377 

PRODUCTION CELL, 68 366 

PRODUCTION COST, 141 143 

165 193 230 303 313 319 367 

PRODUCTION LINE, 133 

PRODUCTION RATE, 7 110 115 

128 129 227 339 366 

PRODUCTIVITY, 68 71 91 127 

PROFILE, 142 

PROFIT, 122 171 203 230 356 377 

380 

PROFITABILITY, 91 

PROPELLER, 254 

PROPELLER BLADE, 254 

PROPERTY RETENTION, 120 

PROPHYLACTIC, 26 

PROPORTIONAL VALVE, 294 

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, 6 194 

228 

PROTECTIVE PACKAGING, 304 

PROTEIN, 394 

PROTOTYPE, 71 141 190 201 205 

207 229 247 262 264 265 274 

319 321 377 378 

PULTRUSION, 216 248 251 303 

333 

PULVERISATION, 213 

PUMP, 5 17 46 167 217 

PUNCTURE RESISTANCE, 6 134 

199 338 

PURCHASE, 51 58 288 

PYROLYSIS, 125 

Q 

QUALITY, 60 118 131 209 232 

285 369 378 379 

QUALITY ASSURANCE, 92 135 

222 229 295 

QUALITY CONTROL, 23 92 135 

222 229 247 251 265 295 310 

343 366 377 378 395 

QUICK MOULD CHANGING, 68 

244 

R 

R-GLASS, 320 

RACING BICYCLE, 23 83 143 

165 188 

RACING BOAT, 79 129 376 

RACING CAR, 206 390 

RACING TYRE, 136 184 

RACKET, 35 36 82 120 153 168 

187 222 301 311 375 379 

RADAR, 320 

RADIO, 122 

RADIO FREQUENCY 

INTERFERENCE, 343 391 

RADIO FREQUENCY WELD, 84 

RAFT, 41 114 340 

RAIN, 382 

RAPID COOLING, 65 

RAPID PROTOTYPING, 205 207 

264 327 

RAW MATERIAL, 149 156 189 

195 284 300 

RAZOR, 84 

REACTION INJECTION 

MOULDING, 32 67 70 101 105 

205 248 261 290 

REACTIVE ADHESIVE, 132 

REACTIVITY, 167 

REACTOR, 31 

REBAR, 216 

REBONDING, 289 

REBOUND, 296 

RECIPROCATING SCREW, 276 

RECLAIM, 37 55 76 85 92 139 

153 168 172 192 213 228 230 

276 286 289 299 318 352 381 

RECLAIMED RUBBER, 92 177 

276 

RECLAIMING, 101 

RECOVERY, 101 

RECREATIONAL APPLICATION, 

330 368 384 

RECYCLABILITY, 165 189 212 

304 324 

RECYCLATE, 139 

RECYCLED, 139 383 

RECYCLED CONTENT, 152 190 

260 276 334 

RECYCLING, 37 55 75 76 85 97 

101 120 131 139 152 153 157 

165 168 169 177 189 190 192 

203 208 212 213 228 230 233 

260 286 288 289 299 304 318 

324 330 334 352 368 373 374 

377 381 383 384 394 

REFRACTION, 228 

REFURBISH, 239 

REFUSE CONTAINER, 139 

REGRESSION ANALYSIS, 275 

REGRIND, 276 

REGULATION, 31 

REINFORCED CONCRETE, 64 

REINFORCED RUBBER, 87 251 

REINFORCED 

THERMOPLASTIC, 9 39 55 

87 109 156 166 217 231 259 

267 277 278 292 313 342 359 

375 379 

REINFORCEMENT, 60 216 320 

RELATIVE HUMIDITY, 305 

RELEASE AGENT, 31 68 255 

RELIABILITY, 258 

REMOULDING, 125 

REMOVABLE, 22 

RENOVATION, 102 

REPAIR, 45 239 

REPAIRING, 227 

REPEATABILITY, 5 

REPLACEMENT, 176 

REPLACEMENT TYRE, 91 

REPROCESSING, 276 

REPRODUCIBILITY, 296 

RESEARCH, 68 69 74 123 168 

226 236 260 377 378 381 393 

RESIDUAL STRESS, 65 

RESILIENCE, 97 145 224 225 304 

307 384 

RESIN, 61 

RESIN INFUSION, 60 167 

RESIN TRANSFER MOULDING, 

5 127 128 129 227 231 254 265 

283 285 333 

RESISTIVITY, 64 

RESTRUCTURING, 166 

RETRACTABLE CORE, 53 

RETREADING, 125 136 

RETROFIT, 28 260 

REVIEW, 51 57 64 70 89 101 106 

133 138 139 145 216 302 308 

329 332 353 357 374 386 387 

RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, 

12 88 141 149 154 167 218 269 


Subject Index 

276 305 319 325 

RHEOLOGY, 12 88 141 167 276 

305 

RIB, 276 

RIGID, 29 38 40 50 72 75 96 101 

114 212 374 376 

RIGIDITY, 31 32 48 73 185 322 

331 339 340 341 343 375 376 

RIPPLE, 133 

ROAD, 286 335 

ROAD SURFACE, 169 

ROADHOLDING, 133 

ROBOT, 5 150 202 337 366 395 

ROCK, 274 

ROLL, 128 

ROLLER, 155 291 

ROLLER SKATE, 70 73 82 87 135 

153 166 197 234 248 261 284 

311 329 

ROLLING RESISTANCE, 87 91 

199 

ROOF, 102 134 

ROOFING, 24 40 260 

ROOM TEMPERATURE 

CURING, 167 

ROTARY MACHINE, 68 324 

ROTATING TABLE, 202 244 

ROTATION, 275 

ROTATIONAL MOULD, 375 

ROTATIONAL MOULDING, 27 

31 41 70 87 111 203 226 227 

230 300 323 334 339 364 

ROUGHNESS, 305 

ROUTER, 303 

RUBBER INDUSTRY, 291 

RUBBER-MODIFIED, 87 135 

RUBBER-TOUGHENED, 87 135 

RUBBERISED ASPHALT, 169 

368 373 

RUBBERISED FABRIC, 340 

RUBBERY, 202 

RUBBING, 305 

RUCKSACK, 28 

RUDDER, 109 

RUN-FLAT TYRE, 91 

RUNNER, 255 

RUNNING SHOE, 48 81 273 275 

RUNNING TRACK, 328 330 

S 

S-GLASS, 320 

SADDLE, 217 

SAFETY, 18 43 45 75 95 114 117 

123 131 209 245 260 268 296 

300 308 335 345 369 

SAFETY APPLICATION, 330 

SAFETY FOOTWEAR, 138 229 

306 324 

SAFETY GLASS, 234 

SAFETY GUARD, 308 

SAFETY HELMET, 49 256 304 

345 380 

SAGGING, 334 

SAIL, 41 79 200 261 375 

SAILBOARD, 41 44 375 379 

SAILCLOTH, 257 360 

SAILING BOAT, 41 44 50 109 114 

247 320 375 376 379 

SALT SPRAY RESISTANCE, 247 

SANDAL, 274 306 324 

SANDWICH, 45 118 209 

SANDWICH STRUCTURE, 4 79 

129 167 227 231 247 296 315 

320 376 377 379 

SATELLITE, 193 

SATURATED POLYESTER, 2 14 

41 48 72 102 114 146 149 168 

200 228 305 340 375 394 

SCALING, 262 

SCANNING ELECTRON 


SCOOTER, 49 

SCRAP, 120 139 152 153 157 167 

168 190 203 208 230 260 276 

288 324 377 

SCRAP POLYMER, 37 85 131 139 

192 196 286 299 334 394 

SCRAP RUBBER, 139 208 

SCRAP TYRES, 37 85 125 152 

157 169 190 192 196 208 213 

260 279 288 299 318 330 352 

368 373 381 382 383 384 

SCRATCH RESISTANCE, 49 115 

135 248 

SCREEN PRINTING, 292 

SCREW, 276 

SCREW CAP, 217 

SCUFF RESISTANCE, 137 

SEAL, 38 291 300 386 

SEALANT, 75 88 374 

SEALING, 386 

SEAMLESS, 300 

SEAT, 15 53 65 116 134 162 201 

289 294 372 395 

SEATING, 24 46 53 66 78 365 

SECURITY DEVICE, 342 

SEEMANN COMPOSITES 

RESIN INFUSION 

MOULDING PROCESS, 167 

SEGMENT LENGTH, 120 

SEISMOLOGY, 243 

SELF-ASSEMBLY, 83 

SELF-CLEANING, 68 

SELF-DRYING, 230 276 

SELF-LUBRICATING, 126 

SELF-SKINNING, 304 

SEMI-AROMATIC, 204 

SEMI-AUTOMATIC, 247 

SEMI-RIGID, 75 340 

SENSITIVITY, 135 

SENSOR, 107 236 

SEQUENTIAL COPOLYMER, 

120 153 

SERVICE LIFE, 93 134 163 178 

190 209 213 258 284 296 325 

SERVICE PROPERTIES, 341 

SHAFT, 293 344 357 391 

SHAPE, 71 186 201 

SHAPE-MEMORY, 236 

SHEAR, 275 296 305 

SHEAR FORCE, 275 305 

SHEAR MODULUS, 79 296 

SHEAR PROPERTIES, 88 96 183 

275 305 

SHEAR STRENGTH, 88 96 333 

371 

SHEAR STRESS, 88 

SHEET, 24 49 62 72 102 115 134 

234 334 340 359 369 381 384 

SHEET MOULDING 

COMPOUND, 5 119 156 227 

313 

SHELF LIFE, 367 

SHELL, 127 166 342 

SHELTER, 333 

SHIP, 247 320 

SHIPMENT, 86 291 

SHOCK ABSORBER, 35 78 123 

127 181 296 

SHOCK ABSORPTION, 23 25 160 

190 202 206 286 302 328 347 

SHOCK RESISTANCE, 123 

SHOE, 48 68 73 81 87 120 135 153 

166 168 229 231 248 262 273 

274 275 276 306 324 325 378 

379 

SHOE LINING, 385 

SHOE SOLE, 15 59 69 81 96 138 

306 

SHOE UPPER, 81 

SHORT FIBRE, 320 

SHORT PRODUCTION RUN, 68 

343 

SHORT SHOT, 53 

SHOT SIZE, 343 

SHOT WEIGHT, 202 244 

SHOWER TRAY, 129 

SHREDDED, 169 

SHREDDER, 169 

SHREDDING, 213 288 368 373 

381 

SHRINKAGE, 29 167 245 270 319 

334 


Subject Index 

SHUTTLE PRESS, 39 

SHUTTLECOCK, 366 

SILANE, 52 

SILICON DIOXIDE, 246 273 274 

SILICONE ELASTOMER, 173 

308 327 386 

SILICONE RUBBER, 173 308 327 

386 

SIMULATION, 71 79 142 143 296 

SINGLE-COMPONENT, 33 88 

132 197 247 

SINK MARK, 29 40 

SINTERING, 166 248 305 

SINUSOIDAL, 296 

SIZE, 61 66 346 

SIZING, 155 

SKATEBOARD, 303 

SKATES, 87 120 135 160 166 171 

224 248 307 317 329 

SKI, 8 82 87 88 93 120 153 154 

166 168 171 231 233 248 249 

261 305 311 341 347 348 350 

367 375 377 379 

SKI BINDING, 8 82 87 146 154 

166 168 231 249 379 

SKI BOOT, 8 81 82 93 120 135 

153 154 166 168 231 233 234 

244 248 249 284 347 

SKI GLOVE, 235 

SKI GOGGLES, 211 327 

SKI POLE, 8 248 333 379 

SKI SHOE, 120 153 166 248 

SKIING APPLICATION, 153 231 

SKIN, 50 79 97 186 296 320 

SKIN-CONTACT, 228 

SLABSTOCK, 372 

SLEDGE, 28 88 

SLIDING, 28 275 296 305 

SLIP, 145 275 

SLIP RESISTANCE, 145 274 275 

276 324 

SLIPPERS, 324 

SLUSH MOULDING, 385 

SMART MATERIAL, 236 

SMOKE GENERATION, 16 

SMOKED SHEET, 291 

SMOOTHNESS, 276 305 

SNAP-FIT, 38 294 

SNOW SHOE, 67 70 187 205 

SNOW TRACTION, 305 

SNOWBOARD, 7 8 15 28 82 87 

106 120 146 153 154 166 231 

233 250 261 262 292 348 

SNOWMOBILE, 32 128 252 259 

SOFT SEGMENT, 120 144 153 

228 325 

SOFT-TOUCH, 38 84 212 

SOFTENING, 276 

SOFTENING POINT, 325 

SOFTNESS, 15 70 195 353 

SOFTWARE, 11 12 24 40 45 54 71 

131 151 201 207 295 

SOIL, 382 

SOIL BURIAL, 134 

SOIL REINFORCEMENT, 169 

368 373 383 

SOIL STABILISATION, 368 

SOIL TREATMENT, 279 

SOLAR ENERGY 


SOLE, 8 15 59 68 69 76 81 93 96 

99 120 124 138 153 225 229 

231 263 273 274 275 276 324 

325 326 385 

SOLID TYRE, 307 

SOLIDS CONTENT, 94 

SOLVENT, 31 

SOLVENT RESISTANCE, 324 

SOLVENT-FREE, 33 

SOLVENTLESS, 132 330 357 384 

SONAR APPLICATION, 320 

SONAR TRANSPARENCY, 247 

SOUND ATTENUATION, 6 

SOUND INSULATION, 139 

SPA, 15 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY, 261 312 

SPECIFIC HEAT, 305 

SPECIFIC SURFACE, 177 

SPECIFICATION, 214 295 335 

SPECTACLE FRAME, 115 269 

SPECTACLES, 49 115 

SPECTROSCOPY, 194 

SPEED, 201 

SPHERE, 186 

SPIKE, 237 309 

SPINNING, 228 232 

SPOILER, 292 

SPORTS CAR, 3 112 126 133 140 

193 245 282 379 

SPORTS SHOE, 48 59 68 69 74 77 

81 87 92 96 120 124 130 132 

135 138 153 166 168 190 215 

225 229 231 246 248 273 274 

275 276 291 306 324 325 358 

378 379 385 

SPORTS STADIUM, 53 65 102 

103 134 338 355 379 395 

SPORTS SURFACE, 24 25 33 37 

54 57 85 91 125 139 145 152 

157 172 176 177 190 192 196 

208 219 275 279 286 288 296 

299 318 328 330 343 352 361 

368 369 373 375 378 379 382 

383 384 396 

SPORTSWEAR, 87 115 116 120 

153 228 231 232 347 365 375 

394 

SPRAY DRYING, 230 276 

SPRAY-UP, 129 320 

SPRAYING, 5 33 94 343 384 

SPRING, 127 

STABILISER, 134 163 189 273 

STABILITY, 13 34 55 116 120 140 

204 244 249 276 

STACKING SEQUENCE, 79 141 

STAINING, 274 

STAINLESS STEEL, 83 131 350 

STANDARD, 49 123 192 214 295 

378 

STANDARDISATION, 378 

STAPLER, 84 

STATIC DISSIPATION, 294 

STATIC ELECTRICITY, 305 

STATIC FRICTION 

COEFFICIENT, 274 275 305 

STATISTICS, 17 30 41 44 49 50 52 

53 60 68 80 82 86 91 94 101 

105 114 118 121 128 130 156 

166 168 169 171 173 175 193 

210 228 231 233 234 239 241 

260 266 279 284 285 291 312 

316 324 329 340 357 375 379 

389 

STEEL, 29 83 88 131 142 143 247 

389 

STEERING GEAR, 128 

STEERING WHEEL, 109 

STEP AEROBICS, 337 

STEREOLITHOGRAPHY, 34 327 

STERILISATION, 120 

STIFFNESS, 7 23 38 47 48 55 72 

73 79 88 96 109 119 135 141 

142 143 146 151 154 155 161 

165 166 167 204 254 261 265 

266 273 276 284 296 319 320 

343 

STORAGE, 33 203 

STORAGE STABILITY, 33 

STRAIN, 142 296 335 

STRAIN ENERGY, 296 

STRAIN RATE, 194 

STRENGTH, 19 42 53 55 109 146 

155 187 200 227 254 262 266 

267 302 306 308 312 342 343 

350 370 

STRESS, 65 79 88 141 142 143 

151 177 296 307 319 325 343 

STRESS ANALYSIS, 161 179 335 

STRESS CONCENTRATION, 88 

STRESS CRACK RESISTANCE, 

28 

STRESS DISTRIBUTION, 88 142 

194 

STRESS RELAXATION, 19 


Subject Index 

STRESS TRANSFER, 141 

STRESS-STRAIN PROPERTIES, 

306 307 335 

STRETCH BLOW MOULDING, 

107 

STRETCH PROPERTIES, 144 

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS, 79 

296 319 

STRUCTURAL FOAM, 261 303 

343 

STRUCTURAL PART, 109 333 

STRUCTURE-PROPERTY 

RELATIONSHIP, 120 

STUD, 81 358 

STYRENE, 167 

STYRENE EMISSION, 167 

STYRENE-BUTADIENE 

COPOLYMER, 192 273 274 

275 324 385 

STYRENE-BUTADIENE- 

STYRENE BLOCK 

COPOLYMER, 120 135 153 

248 276 324 

STYRENE-ETHYLENE 

BUTYLENE-STYRENE 

BLOCK COPOLYMER, 120 

135 153 187 248 

STYRENE-ISOPRENE- 

STYRENE BLOCK 


STYRENE-MALEIC 

ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, 

115 

SUBLIMATION, 115 166 231 359 

377 

SUBLIMATION TRANSFER, 248 

SUBMARINE, 320 

SUBSIDIARY, 271 340 

SUBSTRATE, 38 195 

SUITCASE, 359 

SULFUR, 273 

SULFUR VULCANISATION, 273 

SUNGLASSES, 49 115 168 

SUNROOF, 119 

SUPERSTRUCTURE, 320 

SUPPLIER, 5 24 29 40 46 66 72 

201 295 300 337 

SUPPLY, 121 266 

SURF SAILING, 375 

SURFACE, 29 46 62 209 260 270 

SURFACE AREA, 275 305 

SURFACE ENERGY, 305 

SURFACE FINISH, 28 96 141 222 

242 262 294 319 361 

SURFACE PREPARATION, 229 

SURFACE PROPERTIES, 276 305 

SURFACE RESISTIVITY, 325 

SURFACE TREATMENT, 49 90 

97 115 120 153 166 229 231 

248 276 359 375 377 

SURFBOARD, 4 31 42 62 67 70 

95 104 170 231 302 

SUSPENSION, 127 128 

SWIMMING POOL, 111 203 230 

295 

SWIMWEAR, 21 228 

SYNTACTIC, 186 

SYNTHESIS, 69 

SYNTHETIC FIBRE, 144 152 228 

232 

SYNTHETIC FIBRE- 

REINFORCED PLASTIC, 43 

122 181 182 200 231 247 248 

320 321 322 357 362 376 379 

SYNTHETIC FIBRE- 

REINFORCED RUBBER, 87 

251 

SYNTHETIC GRASS, 275 

SYNTHETIC ICE, 258 

SYNTHETIC LEATHER, 68 

SYNTHETIC RESIN, 185 

SYNTHETIC RUBBER, 75 123 

138 149 218 223 272 

T 

T-JOINT, 216 

TABLE, 89 

TACK, 97 276 

TACTILITY, 38 

TAN DELTA, 120 153 274 307 

TANK, 50 266 320 

TAPE, 165 301 

TAPE WINDING, 6 128 143 155 

165 216 251 

TARGET, 150 

TEAR RESISTANCE, 307 

TEAR STRENGTH, 77 102 200 

210 225 228 273 274 306 324 

325 340 375 

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, 95 

299 

TEMPERATURE, 83 120 141 153 

167 218 266 270 276 305 

TEMPERATURE CONTROL, 116 

283 294 

TEMPERATURE 

DISTRIBUTION, 54 

TEMPERATURE RANGE, 6 14 

284 

TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE, 

126 171 

TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY, 

135 394 

TENACITY, 322 

TENDER, 334 

TENNIS, 273 375 378 379 

TENNIS BALL, 91 174 310 353 

387 

TENNIS COURT, 176 375 

TENNIS RACKET, 35 36 82 120 

153 187 222 301 333 346 367 

375 391 

TENSILE PROPERTIES, 11 13 55 

64 88 113 119 137 143 154 155 

210 215 223 225 249 268 269 

274 276 307 

TENSILE STRENGTH, 11 13 64 

88 119 137 143 154 155 210 

215 223 225 249 268 269 274 

306 307 312 319 320 333 360 

TENSION, 251 

TENT, 261 

TEST, 22 40 49 71 79 120 135 141 

142 153 186 194 229 252 254 

273 274 275 276 295 296 335 

340 377 378 

TEST EQUIPMENT, 194 275 

TEST METHOD, 5 20 27 29 45 59 

61 66 133 140 205 226 260 275 

378 

TEST SPECIMEN, 194 

TEXTILE, 134 228 

TEXTILE APPLICATION, 181 

223 232 374 

TEXTILE INDUSTRY, 228 

TEXTILE-REINFORCED, 367 

TEXTURED, 294 

TEXTURED COATING, 94 

THEORY, 11 64 75 89 98 142 145 

159 194 307 335 355 

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY, 54 

64 155 223 270 304 305 325 

THERMAL DEGRADATION, 56 

147 

THERMAL EXPANSION, 155 209 

THERMAL EXPANSION 

COEFFICIENT, 284 

THERMAL HISTORY, 334 

THERMAL INSULATION, 24 101 

135 228 247 324 347 355 365 

374 394 

THERMAL MICROSCOPY, 305 

THERMAL PROPERTIES, 39 120 

153 273 305 324 325 

THERMAL STABILITY, 6 16 33 

34 55 64 88 112 115 122 132 

134 276 340 376 

THERMOFORMABLE, 365 

THERMOFORMING, 1 49 87 226 

231 292 294 334 359 366 375 

THERMOGRAPHY, 358 

THERMOPLASTIC 

ELASTOMER, 20 21 38 48 56 


Subject Index 

67 68 70 82 84 87 93 96 115 

120 135 146 147 153 154 166 

178 187 191 195 204 212 231 

239 248 255 268 275 276 284 

287 324 325 379 

THIAZOLE, 273 

THICKNESS, 41 49 79 84 88 94 

100 102 105 117 134 135 190 

247 273 284 294 296 305 319 

334 339 

THIN GAUGE, 338 

THIN-WALL, 135 294 

THREE-DIMENSIONAL, 216 264 

319 

THREE-LAYER, 134 

THROUGHPUT, 343 

TIEBAR, 202 244 

TILE, 343 361 381 

TITANIUM, 142 143 174 346 389 

TOGGLE, 244 

TOLERANCE, 78 100 128 294 

TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE, 149 

162 273 307 324 

TOOLING, 5 23 29 38 66 74 112 

124 128 129 212 227 245 260 

262 335 343 359 

TOOLS, 56 

TOOTHBRUSH, 195 

TOP DRESSING, 279 

TORSION, 319 

TORSIONAL MODULUS, 20 120 

153 

TORSIONAL PROPERTIES, 265 

TORSIONAL STIFFNESS, 7 88 

166 

TOUCH, 228 

TOUGHNESS, 14 73 96 146 187 

215 341 367 

TOW, 128 

TOWPREG, 181 367 

TOYS, 13 71 86 168 220 

TRACKING RESISTANCE, 341 

TRACTION, 87 140 160 246 273 

274 275 305 329 

TRADE, 86 

TRADE BALANCE, 41 228 

TRADE DEFICIT, 86 

TRADE SURPLUS, 86 

TRAFFIC CONE, 381 

TRAILER TYRE, 332 

TRAINING, 92 131 168 179 229 

260 

TRANSDUCER, 109 

TRANSFER MOULDING, 5 158 

216 229 

TRANSLATIONAL MOTION, 275 

TRANSLUCENCY, 273 

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON 


TRANSPARENCY, 115 135 247 

248 273 

TRANSPARENT, 2 41 50 114 138 

234 377 378 

TRANSPORT APPLICATION, 49 

64 89 143 155 182 290 359 

TRANSPORTATION, 101 

TREAD, 87 

TREAD PATTERN, 133 140 274 

TREND, 246 385 

TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER, 120 

135 153 248 276 

TRIMMING, 294 

TROUBLESHOOTING, 361 

TRUCK, 119 294 

TRUCK TYRE, 136 

TUBE, 53 142 165 217 248 283 

319 333 

TUBULAR, 41 114 143 301 

TUNGSTEN, 108 

TURBINE, 60 

TURNKEY SYSTEM, 232 

TURNOVER, 41 44 50 68 91 92 

105 114 115 122 134 135 166 

168 203 229 230 231 233 272 

340 343 377 397 

TURNTABLE, 202 

TWIN SHEET FORMING, 294 

TWO-COMPONENT, 68 88 351 

371 

TWO-LAYER, 328 

TWO-SHOT, 84 212 

TYRE, 85 87 91 92 125 133 136 

140 152 157 160 169 177 184 

190 199 208 213 217 229 246 

260 282 288 291 318 330 332 

352 368 379 381 383 384 

TYRE CARCASS, 87 136 

TYRE CHIP, 169 

TYRE CORD, 251 

TYRE DERIVED FUEL, 125 169 

368 373 

TYRE FITTING, 133 

TYRE INFLATION, 217 

TYRE SHOULDER, 133 

U 

ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR 

WEIGHT, 82 

ULTRAVIOLET CURING, 34 

ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION, 

72 

ULTRAVIOLET RESISTANCE, 42 

49 53 74 110 135 200 257 284 

ULTRAVIOLET STABILISED, 

111 

ULTRAVIOLET STABILISER, 

134 273 

ULTRAVIOLET STABILITY, 154 

UNDERCUT, 273 

UNDERGROUND, 134 

UNDERGROUND PIPE, 54 

UNDERLAY, 291 

UNIDIRECTIONAL, 79 142 143 

165 301 

UNSATURATED POLYESTER, 6 

31 35 41 50 72 87 88 94 104 

112 122 149 156 158 167 227 

245 247 261 313 319 320 322 

339 376 

UPHOLSTERY, 144 395 

V 

V-BELT, 252 

VACUUM, 167 

VACUUM BAG, 141 167 

VACUUM BAG MOULDING, 151 

320 

VACUUM CURING, 141 167 

VACUUM FORMING, 1 29 31 40 

222 294 

VACUUM IMPREGNATION, 167 

VACUUM MOULD, 376 

VACUUM PUMP, 167 

VACUUM-ASSISTED RESIN 

INJECTION, 245 

VACUUM-ASSISTED 

TRANSFER MOULDING, 216 

VALIDATION, 142 

VALVE, 217 294 

VALVE COVER, 217 

VAPOUR PERMEABILITY, 120 

153 234 

VASE, 90 

VEHICLE, 29 40 49 87 118 

VEHICLE BONNET, 112 

VEHICLE BOOT, 112 

VEHICLE CHASSIS, 245 

VEHICLE DOOR, 112 

VEHICLE SEAT, 116 162 289 

VEHICLE SHELL, 63 179 182 206 

315 321 322 331 351 354 363 

VEHICLE SPOILER, 292 

VEHICLE SUN ROOF, 119 

VEHICLE SUSPENSION, 128 

VEHICLE TRIM, 162 

VEHICLE WINDOW, 49 

VELOCITY, 107 275 305 

VENEER, 97 

VENTILATOR, 320 

VERTICAL, 274 275 

VERTICAL MACHINE, 68 

VIBRATION, 9 296 319 335 


Subject Index 

VIBRATION DAMPER, 35 181 

296 

VIBRATION DAMPING, 36 38 52 

59 84 88 141 155 261 283 333 

377 

VIBRATION INSULATION, 229 

377 

VIBRATION RESISTANCE, 185 

VICAT SOFTENING POINT, 325 

VINYL ESTER RESIN, 87 122 

158 167 320 

VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES, 

19 88 271 274 293 296 372 377 

VISCOSITY, 88 141 149 154 218 

269 305 319 325 326 

VISCOUS FLUID COUPLING, 

305 

VISOR, 49 308 378 

VOID, 167 

VOID CONTENT, 167 

VOLATILE ORGANIC 

COMPOUND, 167 216 

VOLATILITY, 167 

VOLUME, 29 62 

VOLUME FRACTION, 79 194 

VULCANISATION, 273 274 310 

314 324 340 385 

VULCANISATION TIME, 292 

W 

WALKING TRACTION, 275 

WALL THICKNESS, 52 53 204 

255 293 300 319 

WARPAGE, 65 334 361 

WARRANTY, 128 

WASHING, 203 230 

WASTE, 120 153 167 168 177 203 

228 230 324 377 

WASTE COLLECTION, 101 169 

230 

WASTE DISPOSAL, 37 125 213 

289 330 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, 125 

WASTE RECOVERY, 101 

WASTE REDUCTION, 96 

WASTE RUBBER POWDER, 177 

WASTE TREATMENT, 230 

WATER, 305 324 382 

WATER ABSORPTION, 304 375 

WATER BLOWN, 306 344 

WATER CONTENT, 305 

WATER INSULATION, 102 134 

WATER PERMEABILITY, 120 

153 228 

WATER REPELLENT, 114 137 

228 305 

WATER RESISTANCE, 14 228 

273 320 

WATER RETENTION, 382 

WATER SKI, 67 70 

WATER SPORTS, 70 

WATER TANK, 50 

WATER VAPOUR 

PERMEABILITY, 120 153 234 

WATER VAPOUR 

TRANSMISSION, 365 

WATER-BASED, 132 343 

WATERPROOF, 202 228 

WATERPROOFING, 102 

WAX, 248 305 

WEAR, 252 273 276 

WEAR RESISTANCE, 14 33 49 50 

73 74 88 120 135 137 149 153 

166 215 217 223 228 244 252 

273 274 276 279 284 384 

WEATHER RESISTANCE, 13 14 

15 74 122 134 217 247 248 328 

340 374 

WEAVE STRUCTURE, 359 

WEIGHT, 41 50 70 83 97 100 110 

134 141 143 217 227 260 319 

333 375 

WEIGHT LOSS, 276 

WEIGHT REDUCTION, 23 47 87 

91 114 120 126 127 128 135 

143 151 153 165 166 167 170 

178 179 217 227 243 245 248 

250 266 284 285 319 320 322 

331 339 343 354 360 362 363 

375 397 

WELD, 84 340 

WELD STRENGTH, 13 

WELDABILITY, 134 

WELDING, 38 134 283 

WELLINGTON BOOT, 306 324 

WET LAY-UP, 7 141 

WET SUIT, 365 

WET TRACTION, 87 273 274 275 

WET WEATHER TYRE, 133 

WETTABILITY, 141 305 

WETTING, 88 305 

WHEEL, 30 61 78 87 96 135 150 

166 218 224 248 284 303 307 

329 390 

WHEELCHAIR, 199 

WHITE FILLER, 274 

WIND, 109 

WIND RESISTANCE, 6 228 

WIND TURBINE, 60 

WINDING, 159 293 

WINDMILL, 193 333 

WINDOW, 38 261 

WINDSCREEN, 49 

WINTER SPORT, 7 8 87 120 153 

166 171 231 233 235 248 

WIRE COATING, 33 

WOOD, 18 94 166 167 231 275 

292 296 303 305 350 

WOOD ADHESIVE, 83 

WOOD REPLACEMENT, 221 296 

320 

WOUND HEALING, 116 

WOVEN, 5 

WRAPPING, 128 333 

X 

X-RAY, 294 

X-RAY DIFFRACTION, 77 

X-RAY SCATTERING, 77 

Y 

YACHT, 41 44 50 114 167 247 320 

YARN, 223 

YELLOWING, 325 

YELLOWING RESISTANCE, 42 

YOUNG’S MODULUS, 11 64 79 

88 135 141 248 296 319 

Z 

ZINC DIACRYLATE, 148

Polymers in Sport and Leisure

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