Improvements in materials technology have made a significant impact on sporting performance in recent years. Advanced materials and novel processing methods have enabled the development of new types of equipment with enhanced properties, as well as improving the overall design of sporting goods. The interdependence between material technology and design, and its impact on many of the most popular sports, is reviewed in this book.

Materials in sports equipment presents the latest research, from a distinguished panel of international contributors, into the chemical structure and composition, microstructure and material processing of the various materials used in a wide range of sports. The relationship between performance and design is examined in detail for each sport covered.

Part 1 concentrates on the general use of materials in sports. Here, the reader is given a broad insight into the overall influence of materials in sports, and the significance of material processing and design.

Part 2 focuses on showing how individual sports have benefited from recent improvements in material technology. It also analyses the way in which improvements in our understanding of biomechanics and the engineering aspects of sports equipment performance have influenced materials and design. Sports whose equipment is considered in detail include: golf, tennis, cycling, mountaineering, skiing, cricket and paralympic sports. The overall aim of the book is to make the reader aware of the interaction between the type of material, its selection, processing and surface treatment, and show how this process underpins the performance of the final sporting product.

It will be essential reading for all materials scientists and researchers working in this rapidly developing field.

About the editor
Mike Jenkins studied Chemistry before completing a PhD in Polymer Science at the University of Birmingham, UK. During a 3 year joint appointment as a Research Fellow at Birmingham and NXT Ltd, his research interests evolved to encompass the dynamic mechanical response of carbon fibre reinforced polymers and engineering polymers. Following his industrial role he was appointed as a lecturer in Materials Science at the University of Birmingham where he is now the Course Director for Sports and Materials Science and Course Tutor for Biomedical and Materials Science. He is an active member of the Executive Committee of the International Sports Engineering Association and the editorial board of the journal, Sports Engineering. His current research interests include the use of polymeric materials in sports equipment and biomedical engineering.


Introduction
- Factors determining sports performance
- Materials, processing and design in the pole vault
- The relationship between materials technology and design - fencing masks
- Overview of materials in sports

PART 1: GENERAL USES

Foam protection in sport
- Introduction
- Static foam protection products
- Soccer shin and ankle protectors
- Rigid foam protection for sport wear - cycle helmets
- Further sources of information
- Summary

Performance of sports surfaces
- Introduction
- Why do we have a diversity of sports surfaces
- The measurement of surface performance
- Sport-specific surfaces
- Future developments

Running shoe materials
- Introduction
- Shoe construction
- Running
- Shoe foam stress analysis
- Foam durability
- Discussion
- Future developments

Balls and Ballistics
- Introduction
- Basic aerodynamic principles
- Cricket
- Baseball
- Tennis
- Golf
- Soccer / Volleyball
- Boomerang
- Discus
- Javelin
- Future trends

PART 2: PARTICULAR SPORTS

Materials in golf
- Introduction
- Oversized golf drivers
- Role of the face
- Frequency spectrum testing A
- Test variables
- CoR - frequency relationship
- Variability within a single club type
- Head design criteria
- Construction effects
- Conclusions, further work and design trends

Surface engineering in sport
- Introduction
- Surface properties and surface engineering
- Surface coatings
- Surface modification
- Surface engineering case studies
- Summary

Materials and tennis strings
- Introduction
- String types
- The function of strings in a racquet
- Frame stiffness
- Laboratory testing of tennis strings
- Quasi-static stretch tests
- Energy loss in a string
- Perception of string properties
- Measurements of tension loss and dynamic stiffness
- Tension loss results
- Impact dynamics
- Coefficient of friction
- Discussion
- Oblique impacts on tennis strings
- Conclusions

Materials and tennis rackets
- Introduction Influence of materials on racket technology
- Influence of materials on racket technology
- Frame materials
- Materials for accessories and special parts
- Current manufacturing process
- Design Criteria
- Future trends

Materials in bicycles
- Introduction Wooden bikes
- Wooden bikes
- Material properties
- Failure by fatigue
- Bike failures - some case studies
- Pedal bike injury statistics
- The exploding wheel rim (case 1)
- The Consumer Protection Act
- The exploding wheel rim (case 2)
- Conclusion

Materials in mountaineering
- Introduction
- Ropes
- Harnesses and slings
- Karabiners
- Belay, descending and ascending devices
- Rock protection
- Ice climbing equipment
- Helmets
- Future trends
- Sources of further information

Materials in skiing
- Introduction
- The impact of technology on the ski industry
- Contribution from materials and manufacturing
- Development of competitive and recreational skiing
- Future trends

Materials in cricket
- Introduction Cricket balls
- Cricket balls
- Cricket bats
- Protective equipment in cricket
- Conclusion
- Future trends

Materials Used in paralympic sports
- Introduction
- Physical disabilities
- Paralympic sport regulations
- Devices and materials used in paralympic sports
- Future trends
- Sources of further information and advic