Woodhead Publishing Materials in Sports Equipment: Volume 1

Improvements in materials technology have produced a significant impact on sporting performance in recent years. The relationship between material technology and design and their effects on sporting performance is the focus of this important handbook. From topics related to the general use of materials in sports - for example for sports surfaces and the behaviour of balls and ballistics, the book goes on to explore in detail the particular requirements of materials for many of the most popular sports including golf, tennis, cycling, mountaineering, skiing, cricket and paralympic sports. This book is an essential text for students on sports technology courses, manufacturers of sports equipment and materials scientists working with new materials with potential for sports applications. Key Features: a major handbook on materials in sports; practical guide to material selection and processing for equipment used in many popular sports; shows how material characteristics affect design and performance; essential reference for materials scientists developing new products in this rapidly developing industry. Contents: Part 1 General uses: Foam protection in sport; Performance of sports surfaces; Running shoe materials; Balls and ballistics. Part 2 Particular sports: Materials in golf; Surface engineering in sport; Materials and tennis strings; Materials and tennis rackets; Materials and bicycles; Materials in mountaineering; Materials in skiing; Materials in cricket; Materials used in paralympic sports.