Description
synthetic ice, synthetic ice
panel
Synthetic ice is a solid polymer material designed for skating
using normal metal-bladed ice skates. Rinks are constructed by
interlocking panels. Synthetic ice is sometimes called artificial
ice, but that term is ambiguous, as it is also used to mean the
mechanically frozen skating surface created by freezing water with
refrigeration equipment.
Comparison with true ice
Skating on natural ice, the skate blade increases the temperature
of the microscopic top layers of the ice reducing drag and causing
the blade to glide on top of the ice. On synthetic ice rinks,
liquid surface enhancements are common among synthetic ice products
to further reduce drag on the skate blade over the artificial
surface. Most synthetic ice products allow skating without
liquid.
With most synthetic ice products, more effort is required to skate.
Although this side effect can be positive for resistance training,
skaters report to miss out on the fun of effortless skating.
Synthetic ice surface wears out skates much faster.Most synthetic
ice products still wear-down the skate blades very fast, with *0
min - **0 min the industry average.
Many synthetic rinks produce a large amount of shavings and
abrasions - especially if the material is extruded sheet. Sinter
pressed material on the other hand uses a much higher molecular
weight resin and has a far better abrasion resistance and therefore
the shavings are greatly reduced. Although this disadvantage is
less on a practical level than on an aesthetic level, surfaces have
to be cleaned more regularly with an extruded product and the
attractiveness of the rink can be reduced significantly.
Temporary markings for hockey or other sports wear off. Only
permanently embedded markings do not scratch off.
Materials
A typical synthetic ice rink will consist of many panels (usually
in typical building material sheet sizes) of thin surface material
assembled on top of a sturdy, level and smooth sub-floor (anything
from concrete to wood or even dirt or grass) to create a large
skating area. The connection systems vary. A true commercial joint
connection system can be installed virtually on any type of surface
whereas the typical "dovetail" joint system requires a near perfect
substrate to operate safely.
The most common material used is HDPE (high-density polyethylene),
but recently UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is
being used by some manufacturers. This new formula has the lowest
coefficient levels of friction at only *0% to *5% greater than real
ice.
Usage
Synthetic ice rinks are sometimes used where frozen ice surfaces
are impractical due to temperatures making natural ice impossible.
Synthetic ice rinks are also used as an alternative to artificial
ice rinks due to the overall cost, not requiring any refrigeration
equipment.For pleasure skating, rinks have been installed indoors
at resorts and entertainment venues while newer installations are
being made outdoors. For purposes of ice hockey, synthetic ice
rinks are typically smaller, at about *0 feet (*5 m) by *0 feet (*5
m), and are used for specialized training, such as shooting or
goalie training.
Examples
The 'Polar Rink' at the American Museum of Natural History in New
York City.
The 'Winter Garden' arena in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The arena has
a conventional ice rink which is closed in the summer, while a
2,***-square-foot (**0 m2) synthetic ice rink is used year-round
for youth hockey training and public skating.
The indoor skating rink in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This
***-square metre indoor rink is created from very high Molecular
Weight Polyethylene and is open to the public.
Kego Park Iceless Skating Rink in Fukuoka, Japan
Mawsons Skate in Hobart, Australia.
Parson's Chicken & Fish Winter Rink in Chicago, USA
Standard Size
***0x***0x(***0)mm
***0x***0x(***0)mm
Other size can be produced by your order.If you had any question
about synthetic ice,please contact us.
