will graphite racket become more brittle from time to time

**red00ecstrat** · 11-27-2005, 10:05 AM

anyone know about that? thx.

**DinkAlot** · 11-27-2005, 11:50 AM

Yes, if the racket is strung and you continue to play with the racket (flexing the frame and shaft). However, it should not be that significant; at least not significant enough for the racket to break under normal usage conditions.

**taneepak** · 11-27-2005, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

anyone know about that? thx.

High modulus or ultra high modulus racquets will not get more brittle with time. If anything, they should be less brittle, from humidity, oxidation, etc. If they become more brittle high modulus will become ultra high modulus, which I think is not possible.
But more seriously, short of abusing the racquet either in clashes or stringing which have put the racquet beyond the elastic stage but not the failure stage, high modulus racquets will last your lifetime.

**__Lam** · 11-27-2005, 07:43 PM

?? when i first got my racquet it felt stiff, dunno if i got stronger or something but my racquet seems actually less brittle and more flexible now

you guys are probly right but it seems like my racquet is extra flexible then when i got it

**forrestyung** · 11-27-2005, 08:46 PM

My old Boron 2 was softened after pro-longed used, then I stored 1-2 months without using, it returned a little harder again. After 8-10 games, they became softened again. There are already 5-6 cycles for this feature, I have shared in BC before and some members also have this features on their rackets.

**cooler** · 11-27-2005, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by forrestyung

My old Boron 2 was softened after pro-longed used, then I stored 1-2 months without using, it returned a little harder again. After 8-10 games, they became softened again. There are already 5-6 cycles for this feature, I have shared in BC before and some members also have this features on their rackets.

i dont think it is because of the carbon fibers but rather your racket sympton is likely due to property change of the matrix resin compound.

**forrestyung** · 11-27-2005, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by cooler

i dont think it is because of the carbon fibers but rather your racket sympton is likely due to property change of the matrix resin compound.

So, in this case, most fibers (carbon, HM carbon....) rackets would have this problem??

**cooler** · 11-27-2005, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by forrestyung

So, in this case, most fibers (carbon, HM carbon....) rackets would have this problem??

my post #6 was made from my belief.
since you're asking a broader question, i then did a google search.
it helps validate my earlier post.

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Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 36, No. 24, 2713-2733 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/002199802761675511
© 2002 SAGE Publications
This Article

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Articles by Kumar, B. G
Articles by Nakamura, T.
Articles citing this Article

Degradation of Carbon Fiber-reinforced Epoxy Composites by Ultraviolet Radiation and Condensation
Bhavesh G Kumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

Raman P Singh

Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

Toshio Nakamura

Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

The degradation of an IM7/997 carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy exposed to ultraviolet radiation and/or condensation has been characterized. Based on observations of physical and chemical degradation it has been established that these environments operate in a synergistic manner that causes extensive erosion of the epoxy matrix, resulting in a reduction in mechanical properties. Matrix dominated properties are affected the most, with the transverse tensile strength decreasing by 29% after only 1000h of cyclic exposure to UV radiation and condensation. While, the longitudinal fiber-dominated properties are not affected for the exposure durations investigated, it has been noted that extensive matrix erosion would ultimately limit effective load transfer to the reinforcing fibers and lead to the deterioration of mechanical properties even along the fiber dominated material direction.
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for unused rackets, i wouldn't worry about degradation. Proper storage is important for both used and unused rackets.

**bluejeff** · 11-27-2005, 11:21 PM

well, I wonder in 20 or 40 years of time, how much difference will it make in percentage?

**cooler** · 11-27-2005, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by bluejeff

well, I wonder in 20 or 40 years of time, how much difference will it make in percentage?

ask cheung, he has lots of original cab20(20 years)

**red00ecstrat** · 11-28-2005, 12:58 AM

why i was asking the question because somebody in other badminton forum said he wouldn't buy any old racket. not even for a new old stock! coz he said graphite will get older and older with time. it will become more brittle! therefore, i wanna know if it's true.
u know, i wouldn't mind if graphite/carbon is getting harder form time to time then eventually change itself to a diamond!

**taneepak** · 11-28-2005, 01:26 AM

Buying used badminton racquets is buying smart provided there are no cracks on the graphite material (paint chips are irrelevant) and that the whole racquet is not warped. Use a 10 x magnifier and go through the whole frame and shaft to look for hairline cracks. Graphite racquets are not high wear-and-tear items and buying second hand, usually at much lower prices, is the smart thing to do, provided you don't get the ones with cracks. An even better buy would be a sound racquet with paint chips, because you can probably get it for a much cheaper price than a used pristine looking one. It is really silly to pay through your nose for looks.