How do you know if its sintered or extruded base?

Usually extruded bases seem a lot slicker and shinier. Sintered bases feel dryer and a lot more porous.

What is a sintered base?

Sintered bases are made up of tiny ground up pellets of p-tex that are crushed and put back together under high temperatures. This process creates a much stronger molecular mass and will absorb wax and bond better to new p-tex for stronger repairs.

Can you PTEX a sintered base?

So technically you are suppose to use a ptex ribbon (made from sintered ptex) to repair a sintered base instead of a ptex candle (made from extruded ptex, which is softer) because when fill in a gouge on a sintered with a ptex candle… it is more likely to wear down and pop out.

How are sintered bases made?

Rather than melting polyethylene pellets together (extrusion), sintered bases are manufactured by crushing the pellets together under high pressure. This makes a sintered base more porous for maximum wax absorption, and more abrasion-resistant. Base additives can also boost glide.

Which is more expensive sintered base or extruded base?

The process of “sintering” the base is more expensive for manufacturers and that is reflected in the price of the snowboard that has a SB. Con #3: Cost of repair. SBs are more costly and more difficult to repair if damage does occur.

What’s the difference between extruded and sintered snowboard bases?

Below I will outline the differences between the two different bases and which is better suited to which rider. Extruded bases are created by super-heating and melting polyethylene pellets. The result is a base that is essentially one piece and is not very porous (not as may tiny holes as sintered bases).

Why do you add graphite to a sintered base?

Base additives can also boost glide. For Palmer’s 7200 sintered base (7200 is the molecular weight of polyethylene), graphite is added to the mix during the sintering process, hardens the plastic, and decreases base friction.