In recent decades, the development of innovative high-performance materials has transformed the world of sports equipment. Engineers and designers are constantly looking for ways to make gear like bikes, rackets, clubs, bats, and sticks lighter, stronger, more durable, and better performing. This often starts by using advanced materials that possess exceptional properties.
Composites Reinforce Gear While Shedding Weight
One major area of advancement has been the growing use of composite materials. Composites blend two or more distinct materials to create a final product that leverages the best properties of each component. By far the most common type of composite used in sports equipment is fiber-reinforced polymer, or FRP composites. These pair a plastic polymer resin together with very strong synthetic fibers, like carbon fiber, aramid fiber or fiberglass.
The fibers give strength and stiffness to the resin matrix. The resin transfers loads efficiently to the fibers and protects them from damage. This results in gear with extremely high strength-to-weight ratios; they are much lighter than metals while just as strong, if not stronger.
Fiberglass prepreg, which features fiberglass fibers pre-impregnated into the resin material, allows for precise tuning of the composite’s qualities during manufacturing. The experts at Axiom Materials tell us that the fiber volume and orientation can be optimized for the desired application.
New Materials Enable Innovation
The rise of advanced materials has powered revolutionary leaps forward in product design across every sport. For example, composite materials have allowed tennis racket and golf club producers to enlarge the sweet spots on their equipment. They can redistribute weight saved from using composites to strategic areas that increase swing speeds or offer more power and control.
Materials like aluminum alloys and composite polymers have enabled ski, snowboard, and wakeboard manufacturers to craft flexible boots that are also rigid enough to transmit force in the right directions. The boots provide support and responsiveness while still being comfortable to wear all day. Athletic shoe companies are endlessly experimenting with synthetic fabrics, foams, and plastics to enhance runner performance and economical benefits.
Equipment Sees Huge Leaps in Durability
Today’s sports equipment also lasts significantly longer than previous generations, even with heavy use. This comes from both the inherent durability and fatigue resistance of composite materials and resins, as well as additional protective coatings companies apply during manufacturing.
For example, applying urethane paints using a bed coating process allows baseball bats and hockey sticks to better withstand the dings, cracks, and scratches of daily play. The tough resin paint soaks deep into the porous surface. Companies also use Teflon-like fluoropolymer resins to give fishing rods and golf shafts slick, protective finishes that reduce friction and wear. This keeps the gear working smoothly cast after cast or swing after swing.
Conclusion
The most important benefit of high-performance materials for athletes is that equipment can now be engineered to better match both overall player needs as well as an individual’s specific requirements. Rackets can be built with varying balance points for more control or quicker swings. The weight distribution complements different play styles and experience levels.
Bicycle frame geometry can better account for comfort, power, or endurance riding positions. Companies produce bikes for criterium racing, time trials, trail riding and bike packing. Custom options are also more achievable, like tailoring mountain bike suspension for a rider’s weight and typical terrain.
Hockey and lacrosse sticks give players more accuracy options with specialized curve and pocket placements. Even sportswear and protective padding are becoming more breathable, flexible, and thinner while not sacrificing impact absorption. As materials science continues advancing, expect even more customization and optimization in future sports equipment innovations.
