In the sporting goods industry, thermoplastic composites are mainly used, which consist of a combination of thermoplastic polymer matrices and long-fibre reinforced fibres. Examples of such materials are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamides (PA) and polypropylene (PP) in combination with carbon fibres or glass fibres .
It should be noted that the choice of thermoplastic composite and the type of fibre reinforcement depends on the requirements of the specific sports article and the desired properties. Thermoplastic composites make it possible to optimise the performance of sports articles. For example, the flexibility of a racket can be adjusted by choosing the right type of fibre and the arrangement of the fibres in the material. Vibration damping can also be optimised by choosing the right thermoplastic material. Compared to classic materials such as wood or aluminium, they are lighter, more stable and more resistant to damage. In addition, they can be used to produce very precise shapes.
Another advantage of thermoplastic composites is that they are recyclable. Unlike conventional materials such as wood or aluminium, thermoplastic composites can simply be melted down again and processed into new products.
In the sporting goods industry, thermoplastic composites are used in a variety of applications, including:
Overall, thermoplastics offer many advantages to sporting goods manufacturers and their use is expected to increase in the future. Compared to conventional materials, they offer improved performance and longer life.
