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Online now: 2 members: Golfman, TABLE SETTER 11; 133 anonymousDiscussion: Kevlar bats
| Posted | Discussion |
| March 24, 2011 hombre Men's 60 240 posts | Kevlar bats We've had many discussions about the technology needed to product a bat that has performance and durability. I wonder if anyone has considered a bat with a layer of kevlar fiber? It seems that it would be flexable and strong without being too expensive. Any thoughts? |
| March 24, 2011 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Check this out. Although not Kevlar, it is carbon fiber. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRhbYnNTdkg |
| March 24, 2011 Marv19 Men's 60 498 posts | hombre. I know of one bat that will have a layer of Kevlar. Look for the introduction of the new Gates GBA in about 45 days. The new GBA will be made here in the USA using all of the latest techniques and materials to give you guys what you have been asking for. Price, durably and Pop. Rumor has it the bat will even have a warranty as well. So we will see. |
| March 24, 2011 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Sounds promising. |
| March 24, 2011 hitman Men's 70 339 posts | Hombre, Kevlar is quite an interesting material and could work in a thin application for bats. While it is strong and good for stopping bullets it does not work well when exposed to moisture but then in a bat it would be sealed in. Another draw-back is that it work fatigues and is strong for a static load but eventially fails when flexed. I think we already have enough bats that fail, still looking for one to last long and be a performer but that is a tough combination. The Hitman |
| March 24, 2011 hombre Men's 60 240 posts | I guess I'll find out how well it performs when I receive the GBA bat that I ordered last October. LOL |
| March 24, 2011 Marv19 Men's 60 498 posts | Hitman: It depends on the combination of the different fibers. Carbon vs Kevlar and the type of resin being applied. As I understand it the Kevlar is being applied for strength not for the recoil properties. But I'll let the experts sort it out. I just know there is a lot of enthusiasm at Gates. Time will tell. |
| March 24, 2011 korbacatcher 17 posts | TPS cames out with a Kevlar bat (it was not a senior bat) in about 2002. It was a great bat (hot) but it would frequently break with 50 or even less swings. It was under warranty and because of its frequent need to be replaced under the warranty, I think it was only made for one year. I loved the bat but probably broke at least six of them that year. From my limited experience, it appears that Kevlar is not a good material to use for softball bats. |
| March 25, 2011 birdie Men's 70 802 posts | Marv19, If this is what the new Spirit Bat is made of, the rep who called me was really high on the bat. I told him that I would wait the additional 3 weeks and get the new spirit. I hope that I made the right choice and he said it comes with a warranty. Thanks Harry |
| March 25, 2011 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | The Kevlar material isn't the only material that could be used. There are ceramic materials which have been used in the past, Easton and I believe TPS had bats made out of this type. There are some materials used in Bullet proof vests. Spectra, Aramid, Airtec, & Dyneema that could be used as well. Each have properties that could be used in making bats as well. Some hockey sticks are used for some of these. As the R&D moves forward I am sure some will be used down the road. It's getting the right combo for producing the product that delivers both performance as well as longevity or durability as it were. |
| March 25, 2011 Marv19 Men's 60 498 posts | You know guys its easy to generalize on this subject. Because one Co "said" they used Kevlar and someone broke 6 bats doesn't mean a thing. Its how it was made and where the Kevlar was placed and the resin. This is like saying I had a surf board once made of Brand X glass and resin and it broke so all surf boards with that type of resin and glass is bad. Everyone knows it's how the board was made that makes it unique. I do know this that a lot of R&D is going into this. So don't judge something before it hits the market. As for the Spirit I love mine so to me it would be worth the wait. The Spirit always has had a 1 year warranty. Nothing new there. |
| March 25, 2011 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Boards are made of many types of "glass" as are the resins used. Same applies to boats and even some cars. Like Corvettes... your correct on the just because thing though. They rarely use Resin per se, like they did before, they are 'binders' of a different nature, but do same job as it were. Marv19, you might check the post with two gals looking to play ball and you might be able to help one that in in Orange county. Just a thought. |
