Austrian sporting goods manufacturer Berger uses BASF’s polyethylene particle foam (EPE), Neopolen E, to produce crash mats that
provide a soft landing for skiers and snowboarders, the chemical company said in a release on October 26.
According to BASF’s release, the mats contain a Neopolen E hollow chamber system which provides shock cushioning to protect skiers from injury. As the core material, Neopolen E is said to be durable, stable and flexible, not only providing energy absorption, but also allowing the mats to return to its original shape for repeated cushioning.
The lightweight of Neopolen E facilities transportation of mats on ski slopes, while its low water absorption rate can also help to protect the mats under moisture and cold weather, BASF added, saying that the material retains its properties over a board temperature range from 70-90°C.
“The need for greater safety in winter sports has increased dramatically over the last few years. After all, speeds on downhill runs are steadily increasing – not least because of continuous new developments in skis and snowboards. The special combination of properties provided by Neopolen E allows us to offer the industry a crash mat that meets the special requirements of winter sports. At the same time, the material is very easy to process,” said Johann Berger, CEO of Berger, which provided crash mats for the goal areas at this year’s World Ice Hockey Championships in Slovakia.
According to BASF, Neopolen E is free of CFCs and HCFCs and can be recycled. It is certified according to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Other applications include expansion cushions for long distance heating pipeline systems in construction industry. In addition, the material is suitable for the packaging and automotive industries.
Source : http://www.adsalecprj.com
