The backspin of the Redster WC Ski Boot, is made with a blend containing Xecarb 6 C30, a carbon based thermoplastic matrix composite created by Xenia in its plant in Mussolente, Vicenza.
Xenia engineers high performance polymeric materials for a range of diverse industrial applications. Atomic invited Xenia to collaborate in the production of its new Race Boot with the development of a stiffer backspine compared to the previous generation, making the product considerably more direct, stabile and responsive while reducing the weight. Xenia’s laboratory produced a composite formed by a thermoplastic polyurethane and a special carbon fibre of aeronautical derivation. The tests carried out by Atomic on the product have highlighted a rigidity six times superior to that of the previous one, with considerable improvement in ski control and speed.
Xecarb 6 C30 has high shock resistance and wear and tear resistance even at very low temperatures (the tests were performed at -30°C). Xenia says that the composite material maintains a good balance between rigidity and elastic properties.
Compared to other thermosetting materials, Xecarb 6 C30 requires a less complicated transformation process which is consequently also less expensive and produces a reduced environmental impact. Furthermore it has the advantage that it can be overmoulded through an injection moulding process, to form a single body with the other component in virtue of a chemical bond.
However, its main added value is that it allows materials with mouldable physical-chemical characteristics. In other words, this is a perfectly customisable composite, depending on whether you want to enhance the properties of the polyurethane (elasticity and resistance in low temperatures) or those of the carbon (rigidity).
Xecarb 6 C30 is made with raw materials produced by Bayer.
See also:
Xenia Materials offers carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastics
