Product Description

What is Synthetic Ice?

Synthetic ice is a high-tech plastic polymer on which you can skate. It resembles a white plastic cutting board in texture. But, these are giant panels, usually 4 feet by 8 feet that resemble huge jigsaw puzzles. The dovetail or tongue-in-groove joints anchor the panels together snugly, ensuring a smooth and seamless skating experience.

These specially engineered polymers permit a skate blade to glide almost as smoothly as if on real ice.

The panels are usually made from very high molecular weight polyethylene (VHMWPE), or better, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). These surfaces are typically 'dryer' than the high-tech plastic polymers with oils embedded. In almost all cases, the regular (if occasional) sprayed application of a glide enhancer is required.

The very best (and most expensive, of course) synthetic panels are fabricated from ultra-high density (UHMW) polyethylene polymers with lubricating oils embedded directly in the polymer.
When you skate on ice, you're gliding on a thin film of water created by the heat of the blade's friction, which melts the ice. On these top-of-the-line oil-embedded polymers, the skating friction releases built-in lubrication, so the blade glides smoothly from start to finish without the need for any glide enhancers.
Most polymer panels are at least 1/2 inch thick. Some companies manufacture a 3/8 inch thick panel, and the most heavy-duty commercial panels are 3/4 inches thick. If desired, you can special-order 1" panels from a few firms.
The polymer is not damaged by high or low temperatures and is UV protected.
Solid polymer panels are waterproof. If outside, you can skate on a wet surface. In fact, it might be even better when wet, depending on the panel system you purchase.
Gliding improves with wear. Glide enhancer is always needed except for the truly oil imbedded polymers.

Maintenance:
No compressors or complex machinery
No compressors or complex machinery
No cold generation (no chillers, no generators)
Low maintenance energy cost
Low water consumption
Low maintenance costs

Applications:
Indoor and outdoor skating
Soccor wall
playground barrier
Mall entertainment equipment etc.