For many years, the Isocap ICP 2115 (monofilm) and ICP 5275 (coextruded film) have proven themselves as surface films in ski and snowboard production.
Combined with one of the many available embossing structures, they are very popular among customers. Both films use wear-resistant thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) that contain so-called aromatic monomer units. It is well known that plastics with this structure are susceptible to high-energy radiation, such as UV radiation found in sunlight. To make these plastics suitable for outdoor use, UV stabilizers are added.
A new, innovative approach to improving the UV resistance of TPU surfaces is currently being investigated at Isosport. It has been shown that blends of the well-known aromatic TPUs with aliphatic TPUs lead to surprising improvements in properties. Aliphatic TPUs do not contain aromatic components in their molecular structure and therefore do not tend to yellow under UV exposure. Depending on their specific structure, they can even be highly durable under extreme weather conditions.
For this reason, we are intensively working on the mentioned blends of aromatic and aliphatic TPUs, which—through synergistic interaction in mixing ratios of approximately 90:10—now also make economic sense.