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Skiboard Construction - The Base

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  • Skiboard Construction - The Base

    I started doing some research today into the various materials that goes into a skiboard and found a wealth of information. What started this was comparing the Summit Maurader 125 vs the Lacroix Carbon 125, with the Maurader using p-tex 4000 vs. Lacroix using p-tex 2000. Therefore, I think it could be helpful to start some threads about the materials used.

    This thread is about the base, which is what started all this research:

    Skiboards come with Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) bases that are either sintered or extruded. Sintered bases are more porous, and as a result are better at absorbing and retaining wax. They also have longer polymer chains, which makes them more durable, but more expensive to repair. There are three major suppliers of base material:

    IMS Plastics makes the P-Tex brand.
    Isosport makes the Isospeed brand.
    Crown Plastics makes the DuraSurf brand.

    IMS Plastics was the first to patent a process to create a plastic material that can be easily bonded using epoxy, resulting in P-Tex, their brand of base material. However, base materially of any type is generically referred to as "P-Tex". Each company offers several different grades of base material with different durabilities and additives. Indium absorbs heat generated by friction between the base and snow, allowing the board to be "self cooling." The heat is carried away from the base and prevents the snow from melting into a layer of water that slows down the ride. Graphite conducts static electricity away from the base to lower friction, providing a small gain in speed on a race course. The P-Tex Electra base consists of about 11-12% graphite. However, graphite makes the base less durable and less able to absorb wax. Here are the specs for several grades of P-Tex. The higher the P-Tex number, the more durable and faster the base.

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 1000 extruded
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 1.3
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 70%
    Comments: Transparent or colored polyethylene

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 2000 sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 1.9
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 20%
    Comments: Transparent or colored UHMWPE

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 2000 Ga/In sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 1.9
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 20%
    Comments: P-Tex 2000 + thermo-active additives

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 2000 Electra sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 1.6
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 30%
    Comments: P-Tex 2000 + carbon additives

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 4000 sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 2.2
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 15%
    Comments: Transparent or colored UHMWPE

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 4000 Ga/In sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 2.2
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 15%
    Comments: P-Tex 4000 + thermo-active additives

    Base Material Type: P-Tex 4000 Electra sintered
    Wax absorption mg/cm²: 1.9
    Abrasive volume loss relative to carbon steel: 20%
    Comments: P-Tex 4000 + carbon additives
    Edward in NYC

  • #2
    This is the info i was searching for when i started out....

    Greco, Sticky these posts. They will help some people out.


    Boards:

    Spruce 120s(x2), ALPs(x3), Lacroix 99's, BWPs.

    Bindings:

    Pro Prime Riser/Rossi Bindings(x2).

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    • #3
      Yeah, I just read over all of these. This is some really good info that helps explain a lot of the common things people talk about in skiboard construction that are never really explained. Thanks for posting these!

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      • #4
        Fantastic info ED ! I wonder if most of us who aren't into timed racing can notice much of a difference in the different types pf p tex ??
        Boards :
        Blunt Xl, DLP, Spliff, Condor, Rockered Condor , Slingshot, Sherpa, Icelantic Shaman
        Boots
        K2 BFC 100 Grip walk sole , Dynafit CR Radical AT boot, Ride Insano Snowboard boots
        Bindings:
        Zero Pro Non release Binding
        Modified Receptor Backcountry Bindings (Bill Version and Slow Version)
        Spruce Riser with Attack 14 GW /AT binding
        Custom Risers with Fritschi Backcountry Bindings (Jeff Singer version 1, Bill version)
        Rocker and Sbol Soft Boot Bindings.

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