What are the Materials Used to Make Rollerblades?

Rollerblades, also known as inline skates, are a type of roller skate that is different from old-fashioned skates. A rollerblade has four wheels that are aligned one after the other, while regular roller skates have two wheels in the front and two wheels in the back. Rollerblades are manufactured using different materials, with separate companies manufacturing individual components.
    • Rollerblades

    How Rollerblades are Assembled

    • A rollerblade's wheels are aligned on a strip that holds the wheels in place with bolts. Each wheel has ball bearings that help them spin faster and more freely. The bearings, which are rated to indicate the precision of their manufacturing, are separated with a spacer so that they don't come into contact with each other. The strip is attached to a boot, which holds two to five buckles used to keep your foot in the boot while skating. Rollerblades also have brakes located at the back of the skate, which help you to stop while you are in motion.

    Polyurethane Plastic

    • High-grade polyurethane is a manufactured material and is used in many parts of a rollerblade. These parts include the wheels, the boot and sometimes the shell of the boot and the brakes. Leather or a combination of polyurethane and leather, copolymer plastics, or carbon fiber Kevlar are also sometimes used to make the boot and the shell of the boots, which are similar to ski boots.

    Plastic and Metal

    • The wheels of a rollerblade are made of copolymer plastic or lightweight aluminium. Sometimes they are made of carbon fiber and titanium. The wheels used in rollerblades vary in hardness and come in different sizes, which determine what the rollerblade will be used for, such as for playing hockey or recreational skating. Often, the buckles on the boots of rollerblades are also made of plastic. Ball bearings are made of steel, although the spacers are made of plastic or metal.

    Velcro Straps or Cloth Laces

    • Aside from plastic buckles, the closures attached to the boots of rollerblades are made of hook-and-loop snaps (Velcro) or cloth laces, similar to regular shoelaces. Although plastic buckles are best because they snap in place and don't come undone as easily as cloth laces or Velcro straps, cloth and Velcro laces are less expensive. Additionally, plastic buckles are easier to snap in place and take off.

    Hard Rubber, High-Density Foam and Nylon

    • Although the brakes of rollerblades are often made of polyurethane, they are sometimes made of hard rubber. The brakes--which are produced with a brake line to indicate how much of the brakes have been used--can be replaced when needed. High-density foam covered with nylon is used to line the boots of rollerblades in order to absorb sweat. In addition, foam and nylon used to line the boots also provide added padding for comfort and protection.