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Unread 04-02-2009, 00:14
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Re: Actual Composition of Orbit Balls!

Quote:
Originally Posted by DUCKY View Post
I got a section of an actual orbit ball submitted for Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microscopy. The results are as follows...

Plastic Loops = Polypropylene
White Bit Inside of Fabric Layer = Polyester/Polyester-diisocyanate(urethane) like LycraŽ spandex
Outside of Fabric = Nylon (polyamide)
One of the first things I noticed about the sample in the KOP was a little tag saying it contains PU Foam, which I assumed meant Polyurethane foam. But when we dissected one of the balls, the substance lining the fabric didn't look like foam. So it sounds like the ball label was correct; FT-IR trumps eyesight!

I thought the plastic seemed like the kind milk jugs are made of, but that's polyethylene, not polypropylene. Nevertheless, I'm kinda hoping that next year FIRST will just have everyone rinse and dry their 1-gallon plastic milk jugs for game pieces-- then we won't have this year's supply lunacy.
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