Soccer Balls
Comments (0) The variety of soccer balls refers to the size, design and weight differences between models. Plus, the materials used for the construction of the soccer balls are also very diverse, directly influencing the features of the finite products as well as the price. Consider the following technical details that few people know about the structure of the soccer balls.
The key element for one of the most popular sports in the world, soccer balls come in different designs, sizes and weights. Plus, the materials used for the construction of the soccer balls are also very diverse, directly influencing the features of the finite products as well as the price. Here are a few technical details on the structure and the making of soccer balls that many of us know nothing of when having fun in a nice game.
Several covering layers are included in the surface structure of the soccer balls and they are not made of natural leather as it may appear at first sight but rather from synthetic materials that keep the balls lightweight even when it’s damp outside. Poly vinyl chlorine or PVC and polyurethane or PU are the main materials used for synthetic leather production. Even the types of artificial leather that soccer balls are manufactured of are too many in number to know and differentiate.
Depending on the design of the soccer balls, the various segments of the exterior cover, also known as the panels, present specific features. A soccer ball can be made of 16, 26 or 32 panels, with the latest being the official variant for most leagues and championships. Yet, the others are popular in all sorts of major leagues as well, mainly in Scotland and England. Soccer balls create nearly perfect spheres once the panels are sewn together and inflated.
Between the external covering and the internal bladder that holds the air, soccer balls have some special material incorporated, which is called the lining. These intermediary layer can be made of polyester or laminated cotton, thus contributing to the strength and the bounce properties of the finite product. For professional soccer balls, up to four or five linings are used, while promotional items and practice balls contain fewer such structures.
Differences of material do exist in the structure of the bladders as well. Soccer balls can be made either from butyl or latex. While natural rubber or latex creates a great surface tension, the tiny pores in the structure of this material cause the soccer balls to deflate.
In order to keep the ball practical, you’ll have to re-inflate it at least once a week. Butyl soccer balls on the other hand have an excellent air retention capacity and rely on valves for this process.
The surface of soccer balls consists of several coverings that are not made of natural leather as it seems at first sight but they are manufactured from lightweight plastic that keeps the balls dry. Synthetic leather is the most commonly used, being made of poly vinyl chloride or PVC and polyurethane. Even the types of artificial leather remain a mystery to most soccer fans, because these patterns too, come in great number of varieties.
The specific features in the exterior cover of soccer balls consist of several segments known as panels. A soccer ball can be made of 16, 26 or 32 panels, with the latest being the official variant for most leagues and championships. Yet, the others are popular in all sorts of major leagues as well, mainly in Scotland and England. Soccer balls create nearly perfect spheres once the panels are sewn together and inflated.
Between the external covering and the internal bladder that holds the air, soccer balls have some special material incorporated, which is called the lining. Laminated cotton or polyester are normally used for the intermediary layer, and they play an important part in the bouncing and strength features of the ball. In the professional design of soccer balls, up to five different linings can be used, although practice balls include fewer linings.
As for the bladders that actually keep the soccer balls inflated, differences do appear here as well, particularly because of the nature of the materials. Soccer balls can be made either from butyl or latex. While the surface tension brought by latex or natural rubber is unparalleled, the tiny pores in the structure of this material cause the soccer balls to deflate.
This means that you’ll have to re-inflate the ball at least once a week to maintain pressure and keep the ball practical. Butyl soccer balls present no air retention problem, but require valves to keep the air inside.
