Board construction - Definition

Snowboard Construction

The materials and methods used in creating a snowboard. See also snowboarding.

Core

The snowboard's core is generally made of wood. Some companies use different materials, but in general, they suffer from rapid loss of pop, the ability for the board to pop back into shape when flexed. These are the general materials used for the core.

Aspen and Poplar are generally the main components of the core. Some companies replace this with foam, which is light, but very filmsy. Other companies use metal alloy core in the shape of hexagons. This makes for extreme lightness without sacrificing strength. However, this also lacks the lively qualities of a full wood core.

Also in the core can be a mix of different woods for different characteristics. Balsa and cork may be used for lightness in areas that do not require much strength. Birch, Beech, and Abachi may be used to reinforce specific areas for added strength. Some companies used a Bamboon or Carbon Fiber strut bar for extra pop and snap within the core.

Laminate

The snowboard's core is also sandwitched on the top and bottom by at least two layers of fiberglass. The fiberglass adds stiffness and strength to the board. The fiberglass laminate may be either biaxial (fibers running the length of the board and more fibers 90 degrees perpendicular to it), triax (fibers running the length of the board with 45 degree fibers running across it), or quadax (a hybrid of the biax and triax). Some snowboards also add carbon and aramid (also known as kevlar) stringers for even more strength. Carbon may also be added separate to the fiberglass in a 'v' or 'x' shape under the bindings for extra response. Aramid, too, can be added in key areas for extra response.

Base

A snowboard's base, being the part most in contact with the snow, is very important. There are three main types of bases. Many other variants are used but many of them are simply modified versions of the following.

• Extruded: A durable and easy matinence base that sacrifies some speed. Best for rail riders.
• Sintered: A good all around base. Often this comes with a number next to it. The higher the number, the better the molecular weight, meaning more speed.
• Graphite: An extremely high speed but very high matinence base. Used by many of the racers and alpine snowboaders.

Also, bases are often given additives to increase speed even further. This can be Gallium, Indium, or Carbon.

Construction

Snowboards come in two constructions, cap and sandwich. In cap snowboards, the edges are pressed together and the snowboard is effectivily capped. In sandwich, the layers are just pressed together and a sidewall material is put around the edges to protect the core. Both have different pros and cons but it mainly has to do with preference. Also, both snowboard constructions are given steel or hard plastic edges to dig into the snow.