Car Sky Car Earth

what makes a graphite tennis racket

S.S.Lau

     We have had a few discussions on matters of the sky, i.e., comets and asteroids ( CAR SKY), in this discussion let us talk about something closer to ground, i.e., tennis rackets ( CAR EARTH), and tennis is a game that many lighters seem to like.

     Until about 25 years ago, tennis rackets were made from wood, which we may have used in our youth. In the 60s, metals frames were introduced. Jimmy Corners used his famous Aluminum frame ( the model I have forgotten. When  it went out of style, he tried to buy them at a fairly high price to replenish his supply). Currently composite rackets are widely used due to their "smartness", light weight and the ability to damp out vibration to reduce " tennis elbow".

      Many composite rackets are made of graphite, which is just carbon in a specific crystallographic form. This form of carbon, hexagonal-structured layers linked together by "inter-layer bonds", can be made into many useful things including pencils, stealth airplanes and tennis rackets. The other famous crystallographic form of carbon is, of course, diamond.

     A high-tech racket consists of a core (usually an epoxy-based material), 80 to 90% graphite which provides strength and stiffness, 10 % or so of kelvar ( a Dupont trade name for a nylon-like material to provide additional strength and durability), and a few proprietary materials to give an extra edge over the other brands of rackets.

     The Prince Vertex, for example, has the property of changing its stiffness according to the swing speed of the racket. I know a few Lighters play with the Vortex. This is what what this graphite racket "smart".

     So next time when you walk on the court, bring your high-tech racket with you. In case some takes a shot at you with a real gun with real bullets, block the bullets with your racket since it contains Kelvar; this is the Nylon fiber used in a bullet-proof vest.

      To gain an edge over your opponent, use the highest-tech racket. Should you lose the match, blame it on the wind, the sun, the sox, the net, the shoe, the line, but never on your racket and yourself.