Nylon/TPE horseshoe combines important qualities
Canadian Plastics
Polymers can replace traditional materials in the most unlikely places. A polymer horseshoe for racing horses has been designed, developed and patented by Jameg Horseshoes (North Lincolnshire, UK).
Polymers can replace traditional materials in the most unlikely places. A polymer horseshoe for racing horses has been designed, developed and patented by Jameg Horseshoes (North Lincolnshire, UK).
The Jameg Sprinter horseshoe is a molded by a two-shot process using nylon 6,6 from Vitamide Jackdaw, a UK nylon compounder, and thermoplastic elastomer from VTC Elastoteknik based in Sweden. Both compounders are part of Vita Thermoplastic Compounds. In addition, the shoe contains a small steel strip which is assembled in the mold.
The nylon base of the Jameg Sprinter provides both strength and flexibility, while the TPE provides grip and shock absorption.
“We needed to undertake a lot of development work,” says Geoff Dickson of Senior & Dickson, which assisted with the development of the shoe. “After all, two-shot molding with a steel in-mold insert is fairly complex, and I wouldn’t like to say how many versions we went through before we had a workable product.”
The shoe is bonded to the hoof with an acrylic-based adhesive, and allows the hoof to expand and contract naturally.
Vita Thermoplastic Compounds +44 161 643 1133, www.vtc.britishvita.com
