Re: [RC] Do Dixie Midnight Pads need to be replaced regularly? - Sisu West Ranch
Disclaimer: The manufacturer of Dixie
Midnight pads claims that his polymer is "proprietary" and so secret that
he can not tell anyone its chemical class. He specifically claims that it
is not plasticized vinyl. I do not believe him, but you can if you
wish.
My best guess is that Dixie Midnight pads are
plasticized polyvinyl chloride coiled web, almost assuredly made by 3M
Company. Plasticized vinyl tends to loose its plasticizer after a few
years of use. This happens first in the pressure/flexing areas. When
the plasticizer goes, it becomes stiff and hard. Examples: Older folk will
remember how the vinyl covered hard tops and dashboards of cars got stiff and
cracked after a few years
Plasticized polyvinylchloride is an extremely
useful material. It does need to be examined periodically and replaced
when it starts to get stiff. The time to failure depends on lots of
things. Some waffle weave "neoprene" girths are actually PVC. Beta
horse tack is PVC.
Bottom line: Examine PVC horse tack frequently and
replace it when it gets stiff.
Ed,
Who shortly after the invention of more than 4
elements, worked on coiled web for 3M Company.
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
