Three Characteristics Of Hockey Sticks

3.0 METHODOLOGY

Three main qualities any player would seek for in a field hockey stick are lightness, responsiveness, and stiffness. All these qualities are attained by doing the right material selections and also by undergoing proper manufacturing process. (Michael Cavette, 2003). For instance, lack of flexibility is ultimately important in the blade of a stick, where any twist is capable of deflecting a shot from its desired path.

3.1 RAW MATERIALS

The largest variety is seen in the materials used to construct the shaft of the hockey stick. There are no actual real recipes that are used in the manufacturing process of a hockey stick, but instead, a huge variety and a combination of selected materials like wood, aluminum, composites (carbon fibers, Kevlar, Nomex, etc.), and fiber glass each in their own proportion is used in the making of an ideal hockey stick. (Wilkins, Charles, 1989)

3.2 MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Hockey sticks are produced in two major parts which are the shaft and the toe. Hockey sticks are also primarily made up of high grade wood, typically known as mulberry or hickory. A high grade or high quality lumber guarantees the overall strength and stability of a hockey stick. Hockey sticks are also molded together with composites and carbon fibers. Wood and synthetics determine the varying degrees of stiffness, which affects shock absorption and power. (Barrington, 1999)

The fresh lumber used to make wood shafts is completely dried and treated in building-sized kilns to prevent the wood from warping after manufacture. Then, logs are cut into thin sheets of wood by feeding them through multi-bladed saw. The thin sheets of wood and multiple layers of carbon fiber are coated with Nano resin adhesives and are hot pressed...

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...tary element to carbon fiber. Other than that, Kevlar also increases shock resistance and ultimate power transfer. Figure 3.3.2 shows Kevlar tape.

Figure 3.3.2: Kevlar tape (Van Paepegem, 2001)

3.3.3 Kevlar (Braid)

This type of Kevlar is woven into a full length sleeve and coated all over the stick for an overall impact endurance. This helps the stick to be used for making powerful shots and be able to endure it for longer period of usage.

Figure 3.3.3 (Van Paepegem, 2001)

3.3.4 Ceramic (Tape)

Unlike the other materials, the ceramic tape is only applied to the flat side of the hockey stick. This advanced aerospace technology provides ultimate strength and vibration reduction capability.

Figure 3.3.2 (Van Paepegem, 2001)

3.4 FLOW DIAGRAM OF HOCKEY PRODUCTION