Hockey

Early History of Composites

Early History of Composites

• 1970’s: Wooden field hockey sticks are being reinforced with external layers of glass fibre composites (fig.1 & 2)
• 1982: Change of the shape of the “hook”, innovation by Dutch inventor Toon Coolen
• 1980’s: Start of development of full glass fibre and/or carbon fibre composite field hockey sticks (fig.3)
  (a.o. 1983, Snauwaert & Van Raemdonck, Belgium)
• Main drivers are performance optimisation and weight reduction
  (+- 500 gr for composite versus +/- 700 gr for wood)

Recent Development

Recent Developments

• Full composite field hockey sticks optimise relative carbon/glass/aramid fibre content, with either hollow, wooden or foam filled core
  • CFRP adds stiffness and “power”…
  • GFRP for durability and strength
  • Aramid FRP for shock absorption
  • CFRP content can vary widely, from 0% (all GFRP and wood) to 100% !
• Some examples:
  • Adidas 2023 Shosha Kromaskin 100% carbon , spread tow weaves at outside (fig.4)
  • Malik Dribble Curve combines all three types of fibres:
    15% Composite Carbon – 5% Aramid – 80% Glass Fiber, (fig.5)
  • Crown uses expanding foam inside the stick, to reduce prepreg wrinkling (fig.6)
• Protective gear like shin guards and face masks sometimes contain carbon, glass or aramid fibre composite reinforcements (fig.7)

Gallery

Gallery