Why is carbon fiber often used as a stick to hit objects in sporting goods

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Things like Badminton rackets, Tennis rackets, golf clubs, softball bats and hockey sticks. I know its light and all but what are the other reasons why is it used as a stick to hit objects? Can someone give me a detailed answer? Edit: Is tensile strength an important factor to making these sticks if so why?

In: Engineering

28 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Carbon fiber composites are anisotropic meaning they have property that is different when measured in different directions like tensile strength or stiffness or ductility. This is especially important in making the part lighter because you’re only applying material where the forces need to be supported, so there’s no “wasted” space/unnecessary material. As for swinging sticks, it gets incredibly tiresome to swing heavy things repeatedly.

Carbon fiber composites are resistant to corrosion because the carbon-carbon bonds are resistant to oxidation.

Carbon fiber composites are actually susceptible to impact damage. The fracture modes can actually lead to catastrophic failure. In metal materials you will normally see some buckling before failure but in carbon fiber composites it’s more sudden and there’s not a lot of indication.

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