... why would you want foot pads that go rock hard on impacts? :dunno:

http://www.vimeo.com/19429794

'Discussions' over D3O as a shock absorber over at the kiteforum.com ...

Sounds like folks are listening too much to the wrong marketing blurbs.

D3O is a technology. Actually usage and design for an end product varies a lot from application to application. There are smooth and perforated/mesh versions, and in many cases it is used with other materials. The "rock hard" isn't the key point, what is that it provides support when needed without getting in the way when it isn't needed. It absorb kinetic energy and deadens impacts much like Sorbothane.

From the D30 site:
"D3O can be used as both a foam and un-foamed material in a variety of formulations, from elastomers, robust and resilient microcellular foams and soft and tactile polymers. This unique ability allows a selection of the most appropriate materials to be used to focus the energy dispersion in critical areas for maximum shock absorption or protection. The intrinsic energy dissipation characteristics can be enhanced by combining D3O with other functional materials to provide a composite or organic solutions. The synergy between D3O and other materials can be optimized by dual-casting or via the modification of their surface energy, this provides a unique matrix of possibilities and composite solutions to deliver enhanced shock absorption or protective qualities."

ATB,
Sam

That makes more sense then ... that's the problem with reading stuff in my freetime (ie. not at work) I don't want to waste the time

Whatever happened to Alpha Gel?

Alpha Gel is just a brand name (Taica Corporation) which includes a host of different silicone forumulations. Still in use. You can find it in Asics sneakers (see the logo near the heel)


and

the grips for some Uni pens & pencil grips



among other things.

ATB,
Sam

That makes more sense then ... that's the problem with reading stuff in my freetime (ie. not at work) I don't want to waste the time

Whatever happened to Alpha Gel?

I'm used to seeing accidental double posts...but that's gotta be the first time I have seen it an hour apart.

New one on me too! :o

Yeah pen grips what a great use of that material :ticking: now THAT is what I want in my foot pads!

Silicone is used on a lot of pen/pencil grips. Nothing wrong with that. Alpha Gel is just a brand name for a particular manufacturer's silicone. It just sounds more technical and impressive.

FWIW: There are a bunch of manufacturers that are using a minimal amount of D3O in their products (in some cases, with a high WTF factor), just so they can get the badge on the product and jack up the price. In those cases, D30 is the new titanium/carbon fiber.

ATB,
Sam

661 used to make impact shorts from stuff like this .. it was like regular fabric untill you impacted it hard, then it would become hard. the fabric would recat differentlly to diferent speed implacts, the heavyer and faster the impact the more the force would spread out, the change of the materials state would dampen the forces.


did that make any sense?? awww hell, my hip is sure happy I was wearing a pair of these when I misjudjed a drop and went down hard.

Nah real Alpha Gel was that stuff that you could drop eggs onto and they wouldn't break ... please don't tell me that it was just a branded silicon square :o

... couldn't I just make my own D3O out of ziplock bags and corn starch? :D

ahhh the custard body armour discussion re-born on yet another forum ..