Composite athletics track - of rubber covered bitumen with a microcellular filler to reduce muscle damage to runners

摘要

A synthetic track comprises a substrate layer of bitumen, incorporating, among other fillers, elastic and compressible microcellular particles (such as cork), and a rubber-based cover is not >1 cm thick which does not contain compressible microcellular particles, which cover may incorporate flakes or chopped pieces of (solid) moulded rubber. Prod. is esp. suitable for construction of tracks for sports grounds, walk ways or festivals, and provides a smooth impermeable surface which is sufficiently flexible to deform under the impact of a runner's feet. The relatively slow recovery of the bituminous layer delays the reaction of the elastic components so that the runner's muscles are not subjected to a damaging energy rebound.