1. Composite Materials In Sport

2. How much has technology been used to improve sports shoes?
Before we investigate the type of footwear used by our athletes let's examine a modern football boot.

3. Therefore enhancing the performance of our Olympians?
If we look carefully we can see that it is made from a variety of materials chosen because of their individual properties.

4. Types of Material Material Why used Kevlar
10 times the strength of leather
Leather/canvas which is a composite material
This material is thin, stable and low density
Foam-blown polyurethane
This gives a shoe extra cushioning
Thermoplastic polyurethane
This makes a shoe both strong and pliable
Kangaroo leather
Gives a footballer that extra spring in his or her step. It offers good elasticity

5. Question: What exactly is a composite material?
They do not tend to blend or dissolve into each other. Composite Materials can be either man-made but they may also exist in nature. Fibreglass and concrete are both composite materials. Car tyres, mud bricks and drinks cartons are all made from composite materials.

6. Question: What exactly is a composite material?
When two or more materials with very different properties are combined together they form a composite material. The different materials work together to produce a new material, which combines all of the properties of the previously separate materials. Within the composite it is still possible to easily tell the different materials apart.

7. Question: What does the terms stability, elasticity and density mean?
The extension of a material under a load over a period of time is called 'creeping'. Aeroplane turbine blades are exposed to high temperatures and rotational speeds. It is important that they are made from creep resistant materials.

8. Question: What does the terms stability, elasticity and density mean?
This is a material's resistance to changes in shape and size. Timber tends to 'warp' and 'twist' due to changes in humidity. Plastics and metals deform when subjected to certain forces and stresses for long periods of time.

9. Question: What is polyurethane?
It also comes to the rigid forms of insulation for buildings, water heaters, refrigerated transport, and commercial and residential refrigeration.

10. Question: What is polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a unique material that offers the elasticity of rubber combined with the toughness and durability of metal.
The flexible type of polyurethane is used to make upholstery, mattresses, earplugs, chemical-resistant coatings, specialty adhesives and sealants, and packaging.