About graphite/racquet composition?

[westwood_13]

My question is, what is the purpose of using graphite as a compositional material in racquets?


Graphite, from what I understand, is made of graphene sheets of sp2 carbons. These are bonded together from dipole-dipole interactions and easily slide over one another (like when you write with a pencil, the graphene sheet is sliding from the graphite onto the paper). It is also used in electronics because its available valence orbital makes it a good conductor.

So what the heck does it do for badminton? I mean, graphite certainly is neither the lightest or cheapest material available. It is strong, but only in the direction of the sheet, which doesn't really apply to the multi-directional aspect of badminton.

Also, I presume it's not only graphite. What else do they mix it with? I guess basically, what do they make a racquet of and why?

[DinkAlot]

So what the heck does it do for badminton? I mean, graphite certainly is neither the lightest or cheapest material available. It is strong, but only in the direction of the sheet, which doesn't really apply to the multi-directional aspect of badminton.

It's not the lightest nor least expensive but it's still the best combination, overall. :)

[westwood_13]

It's not the lightest nor least expensive but it's still the best combination, overall. :)

Being a massive science nerd, I'm compelled to ask... why is it so?

[DinkAlot]

Being a massive science nerd, I'm compelled to ask... why is it so?

You can do a search to find out why as I'm no massive science nerd. Heck I'm barely a nerd. :p

But, we can use laws of economics to answer the question. If graphite wasn't the best material, then why would all the performance rackets from budget to top-of-the-line use it?

[HKChua]

The graphite provides strength and stiffness, minimizing head deflection, and also helps to prevent twisting of the racket head when the ball impacts outside the sweet spot.

Thanks.

[yy_ling]

My question is, what is the purpose of using graphite as a compositional material in racquets?


Graphite, from what I understand, is made of graphene sheets of sp2 carbons. These are bonded together from dipole-dipole interactions and easily slide over one another (like when you write with a pencil, the graphene sheet is sliding from the graphite onto the paper). It is also used in electronics because its available valence orbital makes it a good conductor.

So what the heck does it do for badminton? I mean, graphite certainly is neither the lightest or cheapest material available. It is strong, but only in the direction of the sheet, which doesn't really apply to the multi-directional aspect of badminton.

Also, I presume it's not only graphite. What else do they mix it with? I guess basically, what do they make a racquet of and why?

all I know is theres carbon in our rackets(except some cabs), and carbon makes up diamond, so are they as hard as diamond?

[gabxzz]

all I know is theres carbon in our rackets(except some cabs), and carbon makes up diamond, so are they as hard as diamond?


Nope, although both "graphite" and "diamonds" are both made up of the same element "carbon", the way the are bonded (the way their atoms are joined together) makes them so different. Graphite is bonded in a six membered rings that are joined to form sheets, whereas diamonds are bonded in structure composed of connected pyrimids. Thats why carbon graphite is definately not as strong as diamonds.

ps.. sorry. couldent resist taking the chance to revise :D

[yy_ling]

Nope, although both "graphite" and "diamonds" are both made up of the same element "carbon", the way the are bonded (the way their atoms are joined together) makes them so different. Graphite is bonded in a six membered rings that are joined to form sheets, whereas diamonds are bonded in structure composed of connected pyrimids. Thats why carbon graphite is definately not as strong as diamonds.

ps.. sorry. couldent resist taking the chance to revise :D

you take chemistry?

[gabxzz]

This is physics :D

[morewood]

Excuse me if I am wrong about this but my understanding is that HM Graphite racquets use carbon fibre threads which are in effect woven together to form the structure of the racquet. This can then be precisely heat treated and cooled to give the frame the desired flexibility/stability. Therefore the reasons for using HMG are the fact that its light, not massively expensive, easy to use, very strong for its weight, able to be heat treated to provide different flexibility/strength requirements.

[DinkAlot]

Nope, although both "graphite" and "diamonds" are both made up of the same element "carbon", the way the are bonded (the way their atoms are joined together) makes them so different. Graphite is bonded in a six membered rings that are joined to form sheets, whereas diamonds are bonded in structure composed of connected pyrimids. Thats why carbon graphite is definately not as strong as diamonds.

ps.. sorry. couldent resist taking the chance to revise :D

Since you started this...

...diamond would be terrible for badminton rackets. Though extremely hard, it's brittle. Badminton rackets need to flex and return to its normal state in order to achieve performance.

[gabxzz]

Besides the fact that there are simple no diamond big enough to carve into a racquet for Sir Dink to destroy.. or is there? :rolleyes:

[hydrocyanic]

You can do a search to find out why as I'm no massive science nerd. Heck I'm barely a nerd. :p

But, we can use laws of economics to answer the question. If graphite wasn't the best material, then why would all the performance rackets from budget to top-of-the-line use it?

it can be b/c people are used to the feeling of graphite rackets, where if a new material only boosts a slight advantage by a few, there is no point to switch, given the new material will be more expensive to make initially

or, we can say it is b/c yonex still mainly uses graphite, not many of us will be changing the racquet composition


for majority of people where yonex will earn money from, as long as the professionals still uses graphite, or whatever yonex is making, we won't see other materials be popularized

ex. kelvar, magnesium, balsa, woven, and vectran will not be heard in the majority of the markets, right? :P

side notes, i think mizuno have new racket tech that yonex will soon follow

[stumblingfeet]

What's wrong with graphite? It's lightweight, stiff and a common engineering material for sporting tools (otherwise, the material cost would be very high).

You mention the anisotropic strength of graphite sheets. However if you look at racquet design, the graphite is usually made into a tubular shape - which should be okay in carrying the hoop stresses in the frame and the bending stresses in the shaft. What is meant by the "multidirectional nature" of badminton? It seems to me that most strokes will result in a similar loading direction wise on the racquet.

[Gollum]

For those who really wish to get into the gory details, this article might be of interest:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite_reinforced_plastic

[westwood_13]

Thanks to everyone!!!


Now I have something to write about on the long answer on my organic chem final today, heh.