North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) has developed a patent pending tube winding process to make composite tubes that can be used to make carbon golf shafts.
The shafts have been launched under the brand name TPT Golf and have been successfully used by professional golfer Lydia Ko to win her silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The shafts are manufactured using NTPT's Thin Ply Technology lightweight prepreg plies in combination with the new manufacturing process. The result is a centered and near homogenous shaft giving golfers greater stability during their swing and a better feeling impact that imparts lower spin to the ball – resulting in higher yardage and a lower shot dispersion, the company says.
The micro-structure of a thin ply laminate results in higher mechanical properties. Within a golf shaft, or any other tubular product, the use of thinner plies offers more options for fiber angles and fiber type combinations. NTPT's novel process makes it possible for each of the carbon plies to be laid concentrically, resulting in a symmetrical shaft (or tube) with no spine. The process also enables more control over the ratio of longitudinal plies to off axis plies along the length of the shaft. The resulting uniformity of wall thickness and control of fiber alignment provides a smoothly changing flex profile.
According to the company, the technology is also suitable in the production of automotive drive shafts, aircraft struts, windsurf masts, as well as other sports equipment shafts and frames.
This story is reprinted from material from NTPT, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
