Rec. String Tension: 25-29lbs
TECHNOLOGY
GRAPHITE
Graphite, used in a long fibre format, is the basis for composite racquet manufacture across all the racquet sports. To distinguish this material from particulate or short fibre forms of graphite, Black Knight has adopted the term Continuous Carbon Graphite, indicating that the racquet frame is entirely formed with graphite fibres.
In spite of the recent popularity of complementary materials such as Titanium, Beryllium and BrainWeave, the type and quality of the Graphite is the most important material factor in the features and performance of higher range racquets. The nature and mix of the graphite fibres will determine strength, torque, flex, weight, vibration dampening and response. Some factors critical to the quality of the finished graphite product are:
- The quality of the raw graphite filaments;
- The treatment process (which immerses the graphite in an epoxy compound and converts the hair-like filaments into workable sheets);
- The mold design
- The lay up process
- The application of appropriate internal pressure and temperature during the curing process.
Terminology:
Following are Black Knight's main designations to identify the progressive standards of graphite used.
- CCG (Continuous Carbon Graphite)
- ECG (Enhanced Carbon Graphite)
- TRG (Titanium Reinforced Graphite)
- HMG (High Modulus Graphite)
- C4 (Carbon 4)
- XMG (eXtreme Modulus Graphite)
(Except for the first two grades, which are sometimes used alone, several types of graphite are often combined in a frame to achieve specific benefits.)
TITANIUM
With minimal added weight, Titanium selectively strengthens and stiffens sections of a racquet?s frame. In upper range models, the titanium may be visible in a woven Titanium/Graphite mesh. In lower graphite based models the Titanium mesh is represented cosmetically, but is actually dispersed in the frame. In fusion style racquets, the titanium is usually found only in the aluminum alloy.
Titanium and other materials added to graphite: In all cases, the graphite mix determines the real benefits of the added materials. For example, the limitations of CCG material would outweigh the benefits of adding Ti mesh. Generally, the higher the graphite grade, the more is to be gained by adding any of the various meshes.
Also to note, depending in part on racquet painting, a line may be visible across a mesh section. This is normal since the mesh is usually wrapped around the frame ? the line is the point at which the two edges of the wrap meet or overlap.
