Hybrid systems consisting of foamed thermoplastic elastomers and polyurethanes

2:

• A saddle comprising a hybrid material,
• wherein the hybrid material comprises a matrix of polyurethane and foamed particles of thermoplastic polyurethane comprised therein,
• wherein the foamed particles have a closed surface skin.

3:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the foamed particles have a diameter of from 0.1 mm to 10 cm and are spherical or ellipsoidal.

4:

• The saddle according to claim 3, wherein the foamed particles have a diameter of from 0.5 mm to 5 cm.

5:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the foamed particles have a density of from 0.005 to 0.50 g/cm3.

6:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane of the foamed particles is based on polytetrahydrofuran having a number average molecular weight of from 600 to 2500 g/mol.

7:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane of the foamed particles is based on polyester alcohol having a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 2500 g/mol.

8:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the matrix of polyurethane is a foam, a compact elastomeric system or a gel.

9:

• The saddle according to claim 8, wherein the matrix of polyurethane is a compact material and a weight ratio of the matrix to the foamed particles is from 1:1 to 1:20.

10:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein the matrix of polyurethane is a foam having a density of from 0.03 to 0.8 g/cm3.

11:

• The saddle according to claim 2, wherein a tear propagation resistance is greater than 2.5 N/mm at an average density of the hybrid material of from 0.4 to 0.5 g/cm3, greater than 2.2 N/mm at an average density of the hybrid material of from 0.3 to <0.4 g/cm3, greater than 2.0 N/mm at an average density of the hybrid material of from 0.2 to <0.3 g/cm3 and greater than 1.0 N/mm at an average density of the hybrid material of from 0.1 to <0.2 g/cm3.

12:

• A method of obtaining a saddle, the method comprising:
• forming a hybrid material into the saddle,
• wherein the hybrid material comprises a matrix of polyurethane and foamed particles of thermoplastic polyurethane comprised therein, wherein the foamed particles have a closed surface skin.

14:

• The process for producing a saddle according to claim 13, wherein the expanded particles (c″) have a diameter of from 0.1 mm to 10 cm, and are spherical or ellipsoidal.

15:

• The process for producing a saddle according to claim 13, wherein the expanded particles (c″) have a density of from 0.005 to 0.50 g/cm3 and have a compact outer skin.

16:

• The process for producing a saddle according to claim 13, wherein no blowing agent is used.

17:

• The process for producing a saddle according to claim 16, wherein an isocyanate prepolymer having an NCO content of from 1 to 20% by weight is first prepared from the polyisocyanate a) and the compound having a hydrogen atom which is reactive toward isocyanates b), and
• optionally, the chain extender and/or crosslinker d), the catalyst e), the further additive g) and the isocyanate prepolymer are subsequently mixed with the expanded particles (c″) of thermoplastic polyurethane, to form a composite, and
• the composite is allowed to cure by action of water.

18:

• The process for producing a saddle according to claim 16, wherein the weight ratio of the components a), b) and d)-g) to the component c) is from 1:1 to 1:20.

19:

• A bicycle or a motorcycle, comprising the saddle according to claim 2.