Polyurethane layers and waterborne heat-activated adhesive
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- Most advanced World Cup Match Ball to date
- Polyurethane coated textiles
- Polyurethane layers and waterborne heat-activated adhesive
The current “Telstar 18” football used in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia continues the series of Official World Cup Balls adidas has produced since 1970, when the original “Telstar” with its iconic 32 black and white panels was introduced.
“Telstar 18 employs the latest developments in polyurethane coated textiles, which lends it optimal handling, great flight characteristics and superb water resistance” says Thomas Michelis, Head of Covestro Textile Coatings EMLA.
Its outer shell with its polyurethane layers (brand: Impranil) and waterborne heat-activated adhesive (brand: Dispercoll) make “Telstar 18” a high-tech sports equipment, and lightyears ahead of the well-known stitched leather balls.
2018 FIFA World Cup™ Official Game Ball: adidas presents Telstar 18.
The innermost layer of the ball skin is an adhesion coating that connects the textile substrate to the layers above. On top of this is a polyurethane foam layer, roughly one millimeter thick, made up of millions of gas-filled microspheres. This foam is highly elastic so that the ball, after being deformed from being kicked, immediately returns to its spherical shape to ensure an optimal flight path.
The outer skin comprises two compact layers of polyurethane with different thicknesses. These layers are responsible for the very good resistance to external influences and abrasion, and for the ball’s high elasticity.
