TPE foam-lined helmet a no-brainer for Olympic athletes
Canadian Plastics
Athletes at the 2006 Winter Olympics, including the U.S. Ski Team, wore protective helmets lined with a new fusion-bonded honeycomb derived from thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)....
Athletes at the 2006 Winter Olympics, including the U.S. Ski Team, wore protective helmets lined with a new fusion-bonded honeycomb derived from thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs).
The honeycomb material was developed by San Jose, Calif.-based Supracor, Inc., and was adapted to the helmets by POC, a Swedish manufacturer of protective ski equipment and the official supplier to the U.S. Ski Team.
Because it is manufactured from TPEs rather than traditional adhesives, the honeycomb has ‘memory’ — the ability to return repeatedly to its original shape — a crucial factor in preventing head injuries.
Susan Wilson, Supracor’s director of research, design and development, predicts this technology will replace such conventional cushioning materials as foam and gel.
“The flexibility of thermoplastic elastomers gives (the) honeycomb unparalleled versatility and performance,” she said.
Supracor, Inc.; www.supracor.com; 800-787-7226
