[Jhoffa_]

Other tiles, ceramic floor tiles in fact are quite brittle..

If you step on or drop one you will certainly break it.

With materials like this their strength comes from the backing material, it distributes the load evnely and keeps the tile from hinging..

I wonder if the backing was damaged, if a whole "sheet" of tiles couldn't come loose and peel off.

If tiles are the issue, I bet backing is the cause.

[DoughtyOne]

For the last couple of days they have talked about a zippering effect. I'm not sure what would precipitate that occurance. Others have stated correctly, that many shuttles have lost tiles. The loss of a few didn't translate into a failure. I imagine the position, plus the manner of loosening etc, would determine the loss of one, more or many tiles.

[Arkinsaw]

I wonder if the backing was damaged, if a whole "sheet" of tiles couldn't come loose and peel off.

The tiles are glued to the nylon sheet and the nylon sheet is glued to the shuttle with the same glue.

[_Jim]

If tiles are the issue, I bet backing is the cause.

Early on this was one of their biggest issues - initially a felt-type pad was used to 'take up' some of the unevenness ... until a better glue and process was worked out soas tro allow the tile to be directly bonded to the aluminum surface to which it is affixed ...