what rubber to choose

CSM Engineer.Thank you so much for the very helpfull information....! Regards Oomsarel.

This is quite a useful site as well:

http://www.rlhudson.com/Chemicals/ChemicalGuide.aspx

I think it would be best to find a manufacturer who can supply the mat & talk to them about the best material. I imagine you will be concerned with the hardness & durability of the material but price will also be a major issue. There are also things that don't show up in the tables, if you are carrying this mat around to different venues I imagine you will want to roll it up for transport. You will then want it to immediately roll out flat again but some elastomers take a bit of a set when rolled up & will need some time to flatten. Some materials like nitrile have a strong smell which is very noticeable if you have a large piece of the material.

Talk to a manufacturer & get your hands on some samples before committing yourself to a large & expensive piece of matting.

Would any of the lock together tile systems be any use? My knowledge of the requirements of a ballet mat is zero but a tile system could be easier to transport & more adaptable to different sized venues.

Hello Nigh

Ballet dancing surfaces are generally not ones with perceptible joints on the surface.

I would think that rules out any click-together, or tile types of matting.

They also require a hard, smooth surface, so many rubbers will be thus ruled out as unsuitable.

If a rubber is located, but the surface friction is too high, a sprinkling of talcum powder just before dancing commences, will make the surface more "slippery" for the dancers.

Kind Regards....

I did wonder about problems with the joints.

I'm impressed with your knowledge of ballet dancing, is this a secret hobby?

Hello Nigh

The answer to your question is No, and sorry to disappoint you.

If it had been an interest, it would be listed in my Profile here at CR4.

I have a large repository of general knowledge, plus specifics for different subjects, right between my ears.

As far as joint problems for ballet dancers, after a few years, the bones of the feet, ankle joints, knees, and hips, generally end up with arthritic problems, because of overloading.

Kind Regards....

Thanks for the comments. The mat will be rolled up and stored in the same location and could be broad strips duck-taped together every time. I think 3 strips of 2meters each -two joints. Each strip will be 6 meters long making 6mx6m (36m2) Although ballet dancers do dance on a hard surface it must not be concrete. there must be some "spring" or shock absorbtion but I agree that the surface must be semi smooth. I looked at all the properties of the materials that a sertain supplier can offer me and neoprene looks like the best suited. This mat is for children training in ballet and not for professional dancing, so it does not justify to buy the proper dancing mat (VERY EXPENCIVE). Neoprene is non toxic and odourless. I will try to get a sample to help me make a decision. Thanke again all...

All your answers are in:

http://www.bikudo.com/buy/details/131989/rubber_sheet_sbr_nbr_cr_epdm.html#desc

They will also sell your small need