The variety of soccer balls refers to the size, design and weight differences between models. The diversity also extends to the materials soccer balls are made of and the features of the final product. Consider the following technical details that few people know about the structure of the soccer balls.
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. Synthetic leather is the most commonly used, being made of poly vinyl chloride or PVC and polyurethane. Even the varieties 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 encountered with some leagues in Scotland and England. Soccer balls create nearly perfect spheres once the panels are sewn together and inflated.
A special material called the lining is used between the internal bladder that holds the air and the outer covering. 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.
Differences of material do exist in the structure of the bladders as well. 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 allow deflation over a certain period of time.
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 author of this article has a hobby writing articles in many different topics. If you are being curious about other articles, you can check out the latest websites on simplicity vacuum cleaner and computer vacuum cleaner.