We supply most ski and snowboard base or topsheet plastics (and for kitboards) from the Austrian Isosport. Isosport has some of the best quality products in the world. Another manufacturer of ptex or topsheet plastics might be CPS or Socrep or others..
Storage: Room temperature with low temperature fluctuations. Humidity should not be too high. You can store it on the roll.
Handling only with gloves!
All ski and snowboard materials are treated and ready to be used with epoxy!
When you receive the plastics, make sure you brush them off with a clean cloth (also its ok if you have 93% denutered alcohol or 100% alcohol). All plastics are treated minimum on one side from factory and ready to be used with epoxy so dont touch with bare hands! Make sure you know how to turn the plastic correctly.
In case you press at room temperature, make sure you wait 5-7 days before starting to cut your product. Also if possible, higher the temperature as much as possible, this will improve bounding.
IMPORTANT: Base or Ptex is flamed and sanded for successful adhesion to epoxy. Make sure you know how to turn your base properly. If not, please contact us for help!
TOPSHEETS
TPU Topshet stands for Thermoplastic polyurethane. It has good transparency, good resistance to scratches, good durability and it binds well to epoxy. Not suitable for sublimation due to low vicat temperature! It will melt at about 105 degrees C. Graphics might be printed digitally on the TPU/ABS topsheets. This should work with solvent inks. Printing from inside on the ABS layer. Its a milky appearance layer. The butadien in the ABS reacts with the solvent and achieves good bonding. If pre-treated e.g. a thin layer of resin that might make the other types of ink stick. TPU is a softer and more easy to work on topsheet, and will give a more soft ride than say PA topsheet product. It does not chip!
PBT polyester sublimation topsheet is white topsheet for skis and snowboards or watersports, with a fleece inside for better epoxy adhesion! It is suitable for sublimation. The material consists of a 2-layer polyester cap surface film and a fleece backing on the bond surface. Good strength and resistance, good binding to epoxy as it also has a fleece mesh on the inside/epoxy side to improve adhesion. PBT might chip!
PA, Polyamide and nylon topsheet: There is a clear or white option. It is the most expensive and highest quality topsheet. Usually it is consists of two PA layers, and is partly recycled and partly from castor oil, so it is suitable for those looking for environmentally friendly solution. Ultra durable. It is suitable for sublimation. The Polyamide is usually sanded and flamed and corona treated for improved adhesion. PA is a tough and more hard to work on, so you need sharp tools and will get a slightly harder end product.
A base/ptex made from HDPE/UHMWPE is IS 6000, in 0.4mm thickness or 0.9mm thickness is also good alternative to topsheet or base. It is with good durability, and easy to work with. From quality persepctive it is very close to sintered bases. It is about 70% clear. It is sanded and flamed.It is suitable for sublimation and printing with primer.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure you know how to turn the topsheet, which side is up/down! Check also for protective film! If in doubt contact us!
2115 TPU/ABS: The glossy smooth reflective side is the epoxy side usually. Can be tricky. Check for protective film which is the outside side.
4160 PBT: The treated and rough side with fleece is the epoxy side.
8210 PA: If sanded, the sanded rough side is the epoxy side. If not sanded then as for 2115 TPU/ABS, the smooth side will usually be epoxy side. It can be tricky. Always think about what finish you have on the outside surface and try to locate it. The other one should be epoxy side. 8100 is a version of 8210, where 1 layer is made white so the topsheet is white.
BASES
Read: https://www.junksupply.com/how-to-make-diy-skis-snowboard-kiteboard/
Read also https://www.junksupply.com/sanded-vs-s5-structured-ptex/
Bases are divided in Extruded and Sintered. Extruded are cheaper and produced by melting. They are softer, slower, easier to repair, hold better wax. Sintered are more expensive and produced by pounding in shape. They are durable, faster, harder to repair. They can be added carbon/graphite to benefit quality. The quality number starts with 1000 and up. Extruded can be 1600, 4800 etc. Sintered can be 7200, 7500 etc. The higher the number the better the quality usually. Price reflects the quality.
You can find bases for ski/snowboard but also for kite and wakeboards.
In case you press at room temperature, make sure you wait 5-7 days before starting to cut your product. Also if possible, higher the temperature as much as possible, this will improve bounding.
EXTRUDED BASE
Not all base and ptex is created equal. Extruded bases are softer and cheaper, more easy to repair. A 1600 base is cheapest base, very soft, while a 4800 base while still extruded offere much higher quality and durability.
SINTERED BASE
Make sure to read: https://www.junksupply.com/sintered-base-handling/
If you recognize some warping you can also try to wind it in other direction for storage.
http://www.skibuilders.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4935
UHMW PE is Ultra High Molecular Weight plastic. It might also called Ptex by some manufacturers. It is very strong and durable plastic, comparable to Sintered base!
Sintered bases come in numbers of IS7200 and up, indicating the density. They are very durable and hard to damage.
SPECIAL BASES
These are Graphite or carbon bases or race bases made with special nano additives and carbon additives to improve the gliding performance.
PRINTING GRAPHICS
please read here https://www.junksupply.com/printing-graphics/