SILESIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Badminton Rackets Lecturer : Dr hab. in. Janusz WIEK Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials Prepared by : Efekan BAKIR Gliwice 2012-2013
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CONTENT
1.Introduction 2.Badminton Racquet
o 2.1.Parts of Badminton Racquets and Special Materials
2.1.1.Frame
2.1.1.1.Aluminum and Graphite

2.1.2.Strings
2.1.2.1.Nylon 2.1.2.2.Natural Animal Gut

2.1.3.Handle
2.1.3.1.Cotton and Elastic

3.Information about materials 4.How to choose racquet? 5.Conclusion 6.References

1.Introduction
Badminton takes its name from Badminton House, a royal manor in the English county of Gloucestershire where it is widely considered the formal birthplace of the racket sport. Although evidence of badminton dates as far back as the ancient Greeks some 2000 years ago, it is now an Olympic sport and played all over the world. Historically, badminton rackets were made from wood, but due to their cumbersome nature and heavy weight, the materials and the shape changed drastically. Badminton rackets have been made from a variety of different materials since the game was invented, including wood to present-day aluminum and alloy metals. In addition to the equipment's frame, taut strings are strung across the face of the racket.

2. Badminton Racquets
Badminton racquets are lightweight, with top quality racquets weighing between 70 and 95 grams (2.4 to 3.3 ounces) not including grip or strings. They are composed of many different materials ranging from carbon fibre composite (graphite reinforced plastic) to solid steel, which may be augmented by a variety of materials. Carbon fibre has an excellent strength to weight ratio, is stiff, and gives excellent kinetic energy transfer. Before the adoption of carbon fibre composite, racquets were made of light metals such as aluminium. Earlier still, racquets were made of wood. Cheap racquets are still often made of metals such as steel, but wooden racquets are no longer manufactured for the ordinary market, because of their excessive mass and cost. Nowadays, nanomaterials such as fullerene and carbon nanotubes are added to rackets giving them greater durability.

Figure1:Wood Badminton Racquets

There is a wide variety of racquet designs, although the laws limit the racquet size and shape. Different racquets have playing characteristics that appeal to different players. The traditional oval head shape is still available, but an isometric head shape is increasingly common in new racquets.

2.1. Part of Badminton Racquets

Badminton rackets are light, with top quality rackets weighing between about 80 and 100 grams (with strings). Modern rackets are composed of carbon fibre composite (graphite reinforced plastic), which may be augmented by a variety of materials. Carbon fibre has an excellent strength to weight ratio, is stiff, and gives excellent kinetic energy transfer. Before the adoption of carbon fibre composite, rackets were made of wood to their excessive weight and cost.

Figure2:Badminton racquets parts are frame , head , throat , shaft , handle and strings.

2.1.1.Frame
Modern-day badminton rackets are typically made from alloy metals such as aluminum,graphite and composite materials. These metals are cast by the manufacturer in an iron mold and heated until the racket's shape is created. Aluminum and other lightweight metals are used so that a player can handle the racket efficiently and effectively when attempting to strike a fast-moving shuttlecock in the air. These metals also allow for adequate flex in the racket, which can provide added power to a return shot or serve. Other present-day materials include kevlar, titanium or lightweight stainless steel. Head , throat and shaft also made from the same material with from because of these parts are included frame.

Figure3:Most important 5 points

2.1.1.1.Aluminum and Graphite The badminton racket frame is normally made from lightweight, manmade metals such as aluminum. This is because most players believe that the lighter the racket, the more manageable and maneuverable it is. Lightweight rackets are also thought to move more quickly through the air and with more freedom, helping trace and hit fast-moving shuttlecocks. Other players, however, prefer a heavier racket because it provides more power and reduces shock.
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These rackets of differing weights are not made from different materials; the heavier racket is simply made with more graphite fiber. The standard weight of a badminton racket should be between 2.8oz (80g) and 3.5oz (100g).

Figure4:Aluminium Racquets

2.1.2Strings
Stringing the badminton racket is also typically done by machines due to the tightness required to make a high-quality piece of equipment. When strung, a racket's face strings have an equal length on the main and cross strings, thus creating a sweet-spot in the middle of the face. The tension on a normal racket' face is between 22 and 25 pounds, depending on your preference. Strung in a crisscross pattern, these strings provide for a highly durable surface you can use to execute precise and consistent shots during a game of badminton. 2.1.2.1.Nylon Nylon is used to make the strings of a badminton racket. The synthetic material is cheap to produce but strong and long lasting. Nylon string sizes are designated by gauge number. The lower the gauge value, the thicker the string. Thicker nylon strings give control and durability but sacrifice power. Thinner synthetic strings provide power to a player's shots but are prone to wear, tear and breaking.

2.1.2.2.Natural Animal Gut Interestingly, some badminton players still prefer animal gut strings because they give rackets more feel, control and power. They also absorb shock and reduce vibration on the user's playing arm. Natural animal gut is costly, however, and doesn't last as long as other synthetic strings.

2.1.3.Handle
The badminton racket handle has eight bevels: the two wide bevels, the two narrow bevels, and the four diagonal bevels.

Figure5:A wide bevel

Figure6:A norrow bevel

At the end of a badminton racket handle, there is a cap, which is usually marked with the manufacturers logo. Imagine that this cap is an octagonal clockface. In this guide, I number the bevels anticlockwise, starting from one of narrow bevels.

2.1.3.1.Cotton and Elastic Badminton towel grips are made from cotton and elastic. They can be bought to slip over the more common rubber racket grips and are used by professional players due to their perspiration-absorbing qualities.

The cotton compounds in the grip absorb excess body moisture ensuring that a strong hand grip remains constant and gives the user more control and confidence in his stroke. Because grips are made from cotton compounds, the material can be dyed in various colors, allowing players to customize their rackets.

Figure7:An elastic grips

3.Information about materials

The materials used in modern day rackets are much stronger and lighter, which has changed the way badminton is played. Materials such as graphite, X-Fullerene and synthetic nylon are the main components of a badminton racket. Badminton rackets have been used in various types of racket sports as long ago as the 5th century. Although, the form of the modern racket can be traced to the mid to late 1800s where the game started to take shape. How is the evoulation of Badminton Rackets? Rackets have been made from many different components since the 1800s. The shafts and frame have been constructed with everything from wood to steel to aluminum to the lighter, tougher metals of today's racket. The strings of the racket have been made with a few different types of animal hair, most popularly horse hair, but today are made of a polymer nylon which will be explained later in the article. What is racket made of ? The racket, simple in appearance, has many detailed components that make up the final product. The popular athletic brand, Yonex, has almost 40 badminton racket models alone, all of which

are designed according to gender and playing style. While these rackets are diverse, their components are the same. Head- The head is the stringed portion of the racket. Today, almost all strings are synthetic. Synthetic nylon with tiny filament strings are the most widely used, although platinum strings are becoming more popular. Shaft - The shaft of the racket has two layers. The main portion of the shaft is graphite. The graphite is specifically generated to fit the desired playing style. Graphite is just as strong as steel, but weighs considerably less. A new development in racket technology is the outer layer of the shaft, which is X-Fullerene. "X-Fullerene is used in the resin which bonds the Carbon fibers and creating the cross-link construction. The tenfold increase in binding force makes it possible to create 5 percent higher repulsion and 15 percent greater stability

4. How to choose racquets?

How tightly to have your racket strung is another subjective matter. Modern day badminton rackets can withstand tensions up to about 30 lbs, however most players would not have it anywhere near this tight. Typically, players have rackets strung at around 18-23 lbs, although some top professionals would be nearer the 30 lb mark. It is a common misconception that the tighter you have it strung, the more power you get. In fact the opposite is true! Lower tensions give you more power, whereas higher tensions give a far greater level of control over the shuttle. String tension is another example of personal preference, but as a rule of thumb something around the 21 lb mark is common for most amateur players. Heavier rackets are mostly preferred stronger wrists and can therefore make use extract more power from it. So unless you suggest you purchase one that is not too exceed more than 100 grams. by players who have much of the weight of the racket to are in this category, I would heavy.The weight should not

A majority of racket manufacturers use 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U to indicate the weight of the racket, 1U being the heaviest and 4U the lightest. The weight of high quality rackets range from 83 grams to 100 grams. Most racket manufacturers provide four grip sizes. In Japan, they range from G2, G3, G4 to G5 where G2 is the biggest size and G5 is the smallest size. In some countries, the opposite applies. Some brands go by small, medium and big sizes.

Choose a grip size that you feel comfortable with. Generally, attacking players prefer bigger grips as they need to hold the racket more tightly to generate power.Players who like to rally and make use of deception usually prefer a smaller grip so that the racket is easier to turn in their hands.

5.Conclusion
The beginnings of badminton can be traced to mid-18th century British India, where it was created by British military officers stationed there. Early photographs show Englishmen adding a net to the traditional English game of battledore and shuttlecock. The sport is related to ball badminton, which originated in Tamil Nadu, and is similar to Hanetsuki which originated in Japan. Being particularly popular in the British garrison town Poona (now Pune), the game also came to be known as Poona. Initially, balls of wool referred as ball badminton were preferred by the upper classes in windy or wet conditions, but ultimately the shuttlecock stuck. This game was taken by retired officers back to England where it developed and rules were set out. To sum up In ancient times wood was using as a material but wood is so weight for this sport. After development they try to use aluminium and graphite for frame, it is light , resistant and smaller then wood one.At the end of developing they change and improve badminton racket strings tension.

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6.References
http://www.badminton-information.com http://badmintonleaf.blogspot.com http://www.livestrong.com http://www.badmintonwarehouse.com http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.ehow.com http://www.prospeed.com.my http://khelmart.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/KhelmartBadminton-Rackets-Details.png

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