When you're investing in safety products for your athletic facilities, you need to do your research and find the best materials for the safety of everyone. At Fieldwallpads.com, we and our sister company, Sports Graphics, have been in this business for decades and have conducted our research to test different products. With our extensive independent research, we've determined the best materials for the safety of our athletes and fans.
Through research, we've discovered that polyurethane foam is a safe material, and we use it widely in our products. But what is polyurethane foam, and how does it protect people in collisions? Here, our experts at Fieldwallpads.com will explain why polyurethane foam is a great option for you.
What is Polyurethane Foam?
Polyurethane foam is one of the most flexible and durable materials on the market. It is extremely versatile and used in a variety of industries throughout the world. Not only is it used in wall padding but also in several other products, some of which include:
- Packaging
- Insulation
- Electronics
- Fire protection
- Shock dampening
- Shipbuilding
- Vibration absorption, and more
Synthetically made, it is one of the planet's most durable and versatile products. More specifically, its absorption capabilities make it the perfect material to lessen the impact for athletes who crash into its surface.
How Does Polyurethane Foam Absorb Impact?
In many sports, athletes often slam into walls, sports equipment, sports announcer tables, and a wide array of other items in athletic facilities. They often collide with walls while running at high speeds, and the impact can cause athletes to suffer a severe concussion if the crash is head-on. The challenge that facility managers face is how to lessen the blow when collisions occur.
The answer is this specialty foam. Polyurethane foam absorbs kinetic energy without creating resistance to impact. In other words, an athlete can run into a wall pad and not bounce back off. What also sets foam apart is that its sponge-like composition makes it incredibly durable. It retains its shape instantly after an impact.
Most polyurethane pads provide a density range of three to five pounds per cubic foot. While this may not seem like much, it can produce exceptional vibration-dampening and cushioning for heavy items such as muscle-bound athletes.
This is the same type of material that companies use to protect underground missile silos, earthquake-prone buildings, large but delicate items, and mechanical equipment If it's good enough to protect large equipment, it's good enough to protect large athletes.
Polyurethane Tests Prove It's Viability in Sports
Two years ago, the North American National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) released a study based on several tests of athletic equipment such as helmets and other padding.
The tests were performed on athletes' helmets in baseball, football, cycling, and cricket.
In each test, manufacturers reinforced the helmets with polyurethane foam. NOCSAE exposed the helmets to varying levels of impact that simulated real-world scenarios.
The tests were evaluated using the STAR rating system developed by the University of Virginia. The result was that the helmets received a 0.3-star rating, the second-highest rating in an evaluation, meaning equipment that is reinforced with polyurethane foam drastically improves safe conditions for players in high-intensity environments.
The foam used to reinforce helmets is the same material used in wall pads. The difference is that sports wall pads are often much thicker and can absorb even more energy.
Contact Fieldwallpads.com Today
If you're looking for state-of-the-art wall padding and other protective equipment for your athletic facility, contact Fieldwallpads.com today. Since we opened for business over 30 years ago, we've helped countless customers nationwide with exceptional results. Our team is here to answer all your questions, so to learn more or request a free quote, give us a call at 1-800-257-6405 or message us on our contact page today.