Polymers are used in ski bindings and safety gear

Polymers are used in ski bindings and safety gear

DuPont polymers have been used in ski bindings and safety gear for snow-boarders. Salewa’s lightweight touring binding contains nine functional parts made from DuPont polymers. UV-stabilised Delrin is used for three parts – the rear swivel grip, the front sliding plate and the heel release lever.

The six parts made from 30% glass-reinforced Zytel are the front sole retainer, the front swivel head, the release side and its cover, the end piece for the frame and the locking piece for the climbing aid. The ski bindings weigh 1,200g which, according to DuPont, is about 500g less than comparable bindings.

Skimeter’s Flexmeter wrist-guard for snowboards has been based on Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer. Hytrel was chosen because it absorbs high loads, allows maximum wrist mobility and can be easily injection moulded to a highly anatomical shape.