Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
(OP)
Hello,
I use special balls (thicker than a regular basketball but with the same characteristics) for hydraulic engineering purposes. These balls must sometimes be inflated at high pressures (more than 70 psi) and then be put inside a pressure vessel connected to a pump line which will contain water under high pressures (200 psi or more). Sometimes this water pressure will vary (hydraulic oscilations or transients) making these balls expand and contract following these variations (the air inside the balls will act as a buffer against high and negative pressures in the water, threfore protecting the pipe).
The question finally is: Can somebody recommend me a special polymer that can be used as a coating surrounding the polybutadiene of the ball to prevent the air to leak through the material? Or maybe manufacture the ball entirely on this polymer.
I use special balls (thicker than a regular basketball but with the same characteristics) for hydraulic engineering purposes. These balls must sometimes be inflated at high pressures (more than 70 psi) and then be put inside a pressure vessel connected to a pump line which will contain water under high pressures (200 psi or more). Sometimes this water pressure will vary (hydraulic oscilations or transients) making these balls expand and contract following these variations (the air inside the balls will act as a buffer against high and negative pressures in the water, threfore protecting the pipe).
The question finally is: Can somebody recommend me a special polymer that can be used as a coating surrounding the polybutadiene of the ball to prevent the air to leak through the material? Or maybe manufacture the ball entirely on this polymer.





RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
You will notice they are fibre reinforced. That is for a reason.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
I've tested the stuff and it has amazing impermeability to air. In fact it was so good that we had to recalibrate our permeability machine to be able to measure it. It's a water based dispersion you just spray on.
They have already commercialized their coating for an application similar to yours. They used it inside tennis balls to keep the air pressure in. I'm not sure but I bet they are polybutadiene too!
Good luck,
Chris
Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem
www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
Demon3: I appreciate a lot your information, will take a look and let you know if it ultimately works for me.
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
Good luck,
Chris
Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem
www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
Thanks a lot
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
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for site rules
RE: Plymer coating in basketball to prevent air leaking