Fissures in hockey helmet

[Phoenix]

I've just noticed a series of what looks like fissure lines at the back of my helmet. They look like the elevation lines on a map. You can just feel them with your nail. My last helmet developed these too. That helmet was about 7 years old so I expected it, but this one is only 3 years.
Non-checking hockey. Just rec hockey a couple times a week. No major knocks that I can think of, especially going backwards.
Do most people find these come up in this location? I assume the helmet should be replaced?
Its a CCM Fitlite.

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[tarheelhockey]

I've just noticed a series of what looks like fissure lines at the back of my helmet. They look like the elevation lines on a map. You can just feel them with your nail. My last helmet developed these too. That helmet was about 7 years old so I expected it, but this one is only 3 years.
Non-checking hockey. Just rec hockey a couple times a week. No major knocks that I can think of, especially going backwards.
Do most people find these come up in this location? I assume the helmet should be replaced?
Its a CCM Fitlite.

Naturally, nobody's going to say you should keep playing with that going on. Any helmet issue, the auto-response is going to be replacement. You might consider contacting CCM... even though it's probably not under warranty at this point, a helmet really should last longer than 3 years in a non-checking environment.

Weird issue, though. Do you keep your gear in a very hot or very cold storage space? I'm at a loss as to why else the plastic would break down so quickly, especially if it's never gone through any kind of trauma. Temperature and pressure seem like the most likely culprits here.

 

[JMCx4]

I've just noticed a series of what looks like fissure lines at the back of my helmet. They look like the elevation lines on a map. You can just feel them with your nail. My last helmet developed these too. That helmet was about 7 years old so I expected it, but this one is only 3 years. ... Its a CCM Fitlite.

When you say "fissure lines," are they clearly visible in ambient light or barely visible & more detectable when you run your fingernails along the back? If only obvious by feel or in bright light, it sounds like a surface-only imperfection rather than something deeper that might significantly affect material strength. The CCM "Specs" page for the Fitlite product has very little construction detail (not surprising in a highly competitive market). It describes the outer shell as "Two tone high density PE" (polyethelene). If the back of the helmet shell is separately manufactured from the rest (thus the "Two tone"), it's possible that CCM has had issues with the molding quality of that portion. Or if CCM applies some sort of top-coat for shine or protection, it could be "crazing" like you can see on old glazed pottery or in painted surfaces.

In any case, I agree with @tarheelhockey that you should contact CCM and report the imperfections. It could be a batch manufacturing issue that few if any customers have reported or even noticed. If you're persistent, you may even get to speak to one of their design folks who can make more sense of your observations than any customer service or sales rep can or will. Don't panic unless/until CCM can't offer any good advice beyond buying a third helmet. If that happens, shop other brands. Good luck.

 

[cynicalcitizen]

Naturally, nobody's going to say you should keep playing with that going on. Any helmet issue, the auto-response is going to be replacement. You might consider contacting CCM... even though it's probably not under warranty at this point, a helmet really should last longer than 3 years in a non-checking environment.

Weird issue, though. Do you keep your gear in a very hot or very cold storage space? I'm at a loss as to why else the plastic would break down so quickly, especially if it's never gone through any kind of trauma. Temperature and pressure seem like the most likely culprits here.

Canadian hair could cause breakdown.

 

[Phoenix]

Well, I've emailed CCM. So I'll see. I thought I'd attach photos for anyone's interest and comment here too. The ear pieces also seem to be breaking down...

 

[JMCx4]

Ah, I think I see the root cause now from your ear piece photo: Your extremely tiny feet are putting unusual stress on your giant-sized helmet. Mystery solved.

 

[beakerboy]

How do you store it? The arcing pattern makes me wonder if it is swinging and rubbing on something. Is it on both sides of the helmet or just one?

 

[tarheelhockey]

It looks like you baked that helmet in an oven

 

[cynicalcitizen]

Do you store it in a trash compactor?

 

[LarryO]

Aren't those ear pieces supposed to be transparent? What's up with that?

 

[Phoenix]

Yeah the ear pieces are supposed to be transparent - I have no idea what's happening there.
The arcing pattern is mainly on the left side and back of helmet. Not on the right...yet.
I put my helmet in my bag on the side...but I don't have anything on top of it except for the pants ie. nothing heavy.

 

[Phoenix]

Ah, I think I see the root cause now from your ear piece photo: Your extremely tiny feet are putting unusual stress on your giant-sized helmet. Mystery solved.

 

[JMCx4]

... I put my helmet in my bag on the side...but I don't have anything on top of it except for the pants ie. nothing heavy.

With thermoplastics like the helmet materials, it could be chemical or thermal reactions rather than mechanical force causes. Somebody @ CCM oughta be able to diagnose with some knowledge of those materials.

 

[HansonBro]

Do you shower with the bucket on too?

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Damn that’s a pretty rough 3 years. Looks like one of those before after meth pictures, bucket edition.

 

[JMCx4]

Serious question, @Phoenix : Are you sure your current helmet (and also your previous one) is a legit CCM product, or could it be a knockoff?

 

[Phoenix]

Serious question, @Phoenix : Are you sure your current helmet (and also your previous one) is a legit CCM product, or could it be a knockoff?

Well, I got this CCM one from a larger reputable retailer. Came looking legit in a box etc. My previous helmet was mission, that was from a different store.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Well, I got this CCM one from a larger reputable retailer. Came looking legit in a box etc. My previous helmet was mission, that was from a different store.

Just going based on your name — do you live in Arizona and store it in a very hot place like a non-air conditioned garage?

If this isn’t a temperature thing, I’m truly stumped.

 

[Jacob]

This dude raided the Empire Strikes Back wardrobe closet.

 

[Bondoao1]

Do you happen to keep your hockey bag in the trunk of your car, and is it hot where you live?
It looks to me like heat degradation on the plastic.

 

[Bruckuss]

Gotta go with heat or some type of chemical reaction (cleaning product or disinfectant?)

I have a 10+ year old mission intake lid that looks as good as the day I bought it, play up to 5x per week, goes from gear rack to old pillow case in bag, on my head, then back in case and finally back onto drying rack (indoors). Old pillow case is awesome to protect visor, and on that note I have never used anything other than water and a quick wipe with the case on the inside of the half shield, it's still amazingly anti fog after a few seasons now.

If you have had this happen to 2 now, it's not the product - it's something you are doing (or not doing) care wise