Supracor© Open Cell Padding Used in Our Saddles
Supracor© Therapeutic Padding
The Imus 4-Beat® Saddle has a unique tree design (you can read more about that here) to allow complete freedom of movement and even weight distribution of the rider. However, we wanted to make absolutely sure that there was another layer of protection to eliminate the possibility of pressure points. Supracor© is very expensive but there is nothing like it as far as a light-weight material that will distribute weight and conform to your horse, allowing your Imus 4-Beat® Saddle a custom-like fit for your horse. The Imus 4-Beat® Gaited Saddle essentially has a high-quality built-in saddle pad. We also build Supracor© into the seat and stirrups for the rider to ensure the rider is as comfortable as their horse!
The solution is to build Supracor© open-celled padding directly under the bars of the tree. Supracor© is phenomenal at distributing weight and is used often in the medical and airline industries. It is open-celled and looks like honeycomb so it is very thin, light, and breathable (you can see through the entire padding when you hold it up to light).
The following information is available at the Supracor© Website
“Bees are accomplished mathematicians and architects. The hexagonal honeycomb structure they have chosen to build for the storage of honey in their hives allows them to store the greatest amount of honey with the least amount of wax required to create the comb. It is an extremely efficient design.”
“Supracor© studied the nature-proven hexagonal structure and adapted it for commercialization. Developing a revolutionary technique of fusion bonding, we are able to produce the honeycomb cellular matrix without the need for adhesives. This has been possible due to an advanced class of materials called thermoplastics.”
“Supracor© honeycomb and its ventilated Stimulite® honeycomb are fabricated from an extensive range of thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE’s). These materials combine the best properties of rubber and plastics for superior durability and performance in both dynamic and static applications. They are noted for their exceptional tensile, tear and compressive strength, resistance to puncture and their flexibility at low and high temperatures.”
“Supracor’s © flexible, fusion-bonded honeycomb technology utilizes the same geometry as rigid aerospace honeycomb, eg. a cellular matrix comprised of alternating thick- and thin-walled cells with eight interior and exterior radii. This geometry allows the matrix to be both lightweight and anisotropic: having varying degrees of resistance in its length, width and thickness.”
“When compressed, the cells radiate outward, surrounding the object of compression. This characteristic is what makes Stimulite® cushions and sleep surfaces so comfortable.”
Anisotropy:
“The sophisticated architecture of radiated double- and single-walled cells is what makes Supracor©’s fusion-bonded honeycomb anisotropic—having three different degrees of resistance or flexibility in the length (“L” direction), width (“W” direction) and vertically against the surface (“T” direction). This enables it to absorb energy or impact from different angles and to perfectly contour to the anatomy.”
Optimum Strength-to-Weight:
“The alternating thick- and thin-cellular walls make Supracor©’s fusion-bonded honeycomb both strong and lightweight. Its cellular matrix is over 90% open space.
Shock Absorption:
The widespread use of aerospace honeycomb in structures of commercial and military jet aircraft attests to its excellent shock-absorbing capabilities. Energy from impact is absorbed and dispersed evenly throughout the honeycomb matrix. Because the cells are interconnected, when one cell buckles from impact the walls of the adjacent cells also buckle to absorb the force, similar to a ripple effect. Supracor©’s fusion-bonded honeycomb absorbs shock in the same manner, but has increased load-bearing capability as a result of its elastomeric composition. This makes it ideal for shock-absorbing bumpers on amusement park rides and blunt trauma protection in body armor.”