As the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia kicks off today (Thursday 14th June), all eyes will be on the Adidas ‘Telstar 18’ ball, the most advanced World Cup match ball to date.
The innermost layer of the ball skin is an adhesion coating that connects the textile substrate to the layers above.
Roughly one millimetre thick, above this is a polyurethane foam layer made up of millions of gas-filled microspheres.
As this foam is highly elastic, after its deformed from being kicked, it immediately returns to its spherical shape, ensuring an optimal flight path.
The outer skin comprises of two compact layers of polyurethane with different thicknesses, which are responsible for the outstanding resistance to external influences, abrasion and for the ball’s high elasticity.
“Telstar 18 employs the latest developments in polyurethane coated textiles, which lends it optimal handling, great flight characteristics and superb water resistance,” said Thomas Michelis, Head of Covestro Textile Coatings EMLA.
“Its outer shell with its Impranil layers and Dispercoll adhesives make “Telstar 18” a high-tech sports equipment, and lightyears ahead of the stitched leather balls I used to play with as a kid.”