The materials and methods used in creating a snowboard. See also snowboarding.

= Materials =

Core

The snowboard's core is generally made of wood. Some companies use other materials, but generally they suffer from a rapid loss of the ability for the board to 'pop' back into shape when flexed and lack the lively feel of wood.

Aspen and poplar are generally the main woods use for cores. Some companies replace this with foam, which is light, but very flimsy. Other companies use metal alloy core in the shape of hexagons. This makes for extreme lightness without sacrificing strength. However, this also lacks the lively qualities of a full wood core and can become bent - thus is often combined with wood.

The core may be a mix of different woods stringers for different characteristics. Balsa and cork may be used for lightness in areas that do not require much strength. Other companies simply carve out chunks of wood in those areas. Birch, beech, and abachi may be used to reinforce specific areas for added strength. Some companies use a bamboo or carbon fiber strut along the length of the board for extra pop and snap.

Laminate

The snowboard's core is also sandwiched on the top and bottom by at least two layers of fiberglass. The fiberglass adds stiffness and torisonal strength to the board. The fiberglass laminate may be either biaxial (fibers running the length of the board and more fibers 90 degrees perpendicular to it), triax (fibers running the length of the board with 45 degree fibers running across it), or quadax (a hybrid of the biax and triax). Some snowboards also add carbon and aramid (also known as kevlar) stringers for even more strength. Furthermore, carbon/kevlar may be added in a 'v' or 'x' shape under the bindings for extra response.

Base

A snowboard's base material, being the part most in contact with the snow, is very important. Base material is polyethylene, a plastic often called P-Tex, and the same material used on skis. The preparation of this base material is where we start to see differences.

• Extruded: The P-Tex is cut from a large sheet, or squeezed out of a machine much like play-doh. A low maintenance base, it is the least expensive and easy to repair. Extruded bases do not hold much wax, and are slower sliding than other base types.

• Sintered: P-Tex base material is ground to powder then reformed with pressuse and heat, and cut to shape. A sintered base is very porous and absorbs wax well. Sintered bases slide faster than extruded bases, but are more expensive, and harder to repair.

• Graphite: Sintered bases may have graphite added to the mix. Graphite bases hold a lot of wax and are extremely fast. High-end racing and alpine, or freecarve, boards have graphite bases for maximum sliding speed. Additives may also include gallium and/or indium.

Often, the bases are grinded down and structured with small, lengthwise grooves. This reduces suction with the snow to increase speed. Some snowboard companies offer bases with inward dimples, much like a golf ball. This StrucTurn technology allows for even more reduction of suction.

Waxing

P-Tex bases must be waxed for minimum friction between the board and the snow. A properly waxed board glides easier and also gets minor protection from friction with the snow. Wax is hydrophobic, so snow tends not to stick to it. A sticky board won't slide down the slope as fast, and is also harder to turn.

Different wax types exist for varying snow conditions. Warmer, wetter snow is stickier and a softer wax will glide better. Cold, dry snow needs harder wax for best performance. Advanced riders may mix waxes, using a harder wax at the edges for longevity and special fluorinated wax near the center for optimum glide.

= Construction =

Snowboards come in two constructions, cap and sandwich. In cap snowboards, the edges are pressed together and the top layer is bend down to meet the bottom in a "cap". In sandwich, the layers are pressed together with a hard sidewall material wrapped around the sides, keeping every layer flat. Each construction has its share of advtanges, cap supporters claim it gives extra liveliness whereas sandwitch advocates prefer its durability and edge-to-edge response. Some models utilize a hybrid of both (capped tips and sandwitch middle or vice versa).