Synthetic Ice - Comparison With True Ice

Comparison With True Ice

Skating on natural ice, the skate blade increases the temperature of the microscopic top layers of the ice reducing drag and causing the blade to glide on top of the ice. On synthetic ice rinks, liquid surface enhancements are common among synthetic ice products to further reduce drag on the skate blade over the artificial surface. Although some synthetic ice products allow skating without liquid, liquid is still used to optimize gliding.

1. With most synthetic ice products, more effort is required to skate. Although this side effect can be positive for resistance training, skaters report to miss out on the fun of effortless skating.
2. Synthetic ice surface wears out skates much faster. Most synthetic ice products still wear-down the skate blades very fast, with 30 min - 120 min the industry average.
3. Many synthetic rinks produce a large amount of shavings and abrasions. Although this disadvantage is less on a practical level than on an aesthetic level, surfaces have to be cleaned more regularly and the attractiveness of the rink can be reduced significantly.
4. Temporary markings for hockey or other sports wear off. Only permanently embedded markings do not scratch off.