Super-Strong German Steel Velcro: Not for Sneakers

first comment!!!! this is so cool its like super velcro i can see it now sketchers super shoes lol

In the future this new Velcro may have many yet to be announced applications, as a mechanical engineer I have always been interested in cutting edge technology like this.

What is the comparative pull strength of regular velcro? A post on gizmodo.com said it was actually higher than this stuff, which I doubt, but I'm curious.

The Wikipedia article cited a book on inventions, which states that Velcro is strong enough for 2 square inches to support a 175 lb weight. One square meter is 725 the area of two square inches, so regular velcro can support 63 tons per square meter. So it's twice as strong as this metal stuff.

Sounds like the main advantage of the new product is heat resistance, not strength.

@bookmatch....theres just gotta be something like regular velcros rate of strength decreases as the piece gets bigger...or its just wikipedia with it out of wack contributers...

2 Qs:
How much does it cost?
Is it ready for mass production?

i think there is some confusion over the strenghts being quoted here, the article is refering to the force required in shear, "......the pulling force is parallel to the fastener surface....."

where as the wikipedia article is referring to a force applied perpendicular to the fastener surface

this is some really cool stuff!!! and you guys are totally out of wack with your wikipedia stuff........anybody can go in there and edit ANYTHING so i don't think that article is very accurate or reliable.........if you're going to do some background research, make it reliable.......but on the other hand, this is an awesome invention

sox all the way

incredibly simple yet so insightful... heres to german engineering

Go Sham-Wow germans :D

*its like a shammy, its like a towel*

oh give it up .. wikipedia has been proven to be just as accurate a closed source commercial references. Its plenty good for blog comments, theres no expectation of professional level research going on here. Got better info? Post it.

As far as the strength goes.. thats only 1 level of measurement here. This steel stuff can be used in harsh environments that would melt or otherwise destroy traditional velcro. That gives it a use right there even if its strength is less.

One must wonder how this new metal Velcro is attached (presumably it could be epoxyed, riveted, nut & bolted, or welded) since one of the major problems with conventional "cloth" Velcro is adhesive failure on one or both sides (or stitching failure in the case of sew-on types). A second problem with Velcro is the hook side getting clogged with threads, fibers and other debris, but at least this metal variety could easily be cleaned up with a quick application of a butane torch, a decided advantage!
An explanation of how the metal version is detached would be appreciated! It will be interesting if a lightweight version of this metal Velcro becomes available in local hardware stores.

Hehe, Yes - it's a good idea to watch the wikipedia references :

-- cut --
"so regular velcro can support 63 tons per square meter. So it's twice as strong as this metal stuff..."
-- cut --

I just can't see a square meter of normal velcro having the strength to support the weight of, eh, 30 cars.

I am not certain of what the purpose is for the steel valcrose.I mean I can imagine it could be used for many activities and fasteners, but is it feasible?

Regards,
Shawn
www.bigshoes.com