There are many parameters in cross-country skiing that influence sliding in the snow. Base material, snow and air temperaure, humidity, ski wax, hydrophobicity, etc. In this diploma thesis we were focused on ski wax composition. We were interested in the influence of the fluorine content on the friction and hydrophobicity.
The tests were performed on snow at Nordic Center Planica with different skis and ski waxes and also in Laboratory for Tribology and Surface Nanotechnology in Ljubljana, where the coefficient of friction and static contact angle of wetness were measured. We tried to make the best test possible to show the difference in ski waxes, according to accessible devices.
The final results show, that ski waxes with fluorine content are hydrophobic and have better sliding ability.
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