One of the most important elements when we play paddle are the paddle blades, but do you know what paddle blades are made of? If not, we’ll tell you about it here. This way you will be able to choose the best blades for your playing style.
Materials used to manufacture paddle blades
Paddle blades are made up of different elements, the frame, for example, requires certain materials, while its interior uses rubber. Here we will tell you which are the most common materials used in the manufacture of paddle blades.
Fiberglass
Considered one of the most common paddle blade materials in paddle blades, fiberglass stands out for its strength, relative lightness and affordable price. Its use is found in the manufacture of both the frame and the handle of the blade itself, giving structure and strength to its body.
Carbon fiber
The latest generation of carbon fiber is the material par excellence of high-end paddle blades because it is very resistant, strong and light. If you are wondering how paddle blades are manufactured with carbon fiber, you should know that they follow a rigorous process which allows incorporating the fiber to its frame, giving it flexibility and strength.
EVA rubber
Used in the core of the paddle blades, this is one of the most important paddle blade materials. Its purpose is to absorb the force of the impact, giving you the possibility not only to control the ball, but also to project it again. In addition, there are rubbers of different densities which are designed for different styles of play.
Foam Rubber
When looking for what paddle blades are made of, Foam rubber plays a very important role as this material is made to dampen the force and vibrations that can hurt your wrist. That is why they are used in parts such as the handle where shock absorption must be much higher.
Kevlar
Made from interwoven synthetic fibers, Kevlar is one of the strongest materials available on the market. In paddle paddle blades, Kevlar to give greater resistance to abrasion in the blade, in addition, it is combined with paddle blade materials such as carbon fiber to give professional performance, better control, precision, strength and durability.
Titanium
One of the most important innovations in the market is the inclusion of titanium in the blade frames. This metal is not only very resistant and perfectly withstands corrosion due to humidity and heat, it is also light and easy to shape. This makes it possible to create an even more robust and resistant frame without sacrificing flexibility and lightness.
Graphite
The last of the materials that have to do with how paddle blades are made is graphite. The inclusion of graphite is found in the frame, the surface and the handle, as it helps to balance the racket, as well as gives greater strength to it being a common material in professional paddle racquets.
How are paddle blades manufactured?
Now that you know what paddle blades are made of, it is time to tell you how paddle blades are made step by step.
Step 1: Design
The first step is to create a 3D design of the blade, remembering that there are drop-shaped, diamond-shaped, round, etc. blades. Once the model is generated, the manufacturer proceeds to create a mold, which is generally made of steel.
Step 2: Punching
With the mold ready, the operators proceed to cut layers of paddle blade materials, e.g. fiberglass, carbon fiber, EVA rubber, Foam, etc. As well as the elements to be included in it, such as titanium or graphite reinforcements.
Step 3: Laminating
The layers are arranged one by one in the mold using epoxy resin as glue to bond each of the layers firmly together. Basically, a layer of material is placed, then a layer of resin and so on, compressing them together to form a solid and robust one-piece blade.
Step 4: Washing
A key step in how paddle blades are manufactured is the washing of the paddle. After lamination, resin and dust residues may remain, affecting the final finish and resistance of the blade. It is then washed with soap and water under pressure and dried – just like in a shower!
Step 5: Priming
The next step in how paddle blades are manufactured is priming. As with vehicles, a first coat of primer is applied, which forms a film that helps protect the blade, as well as improves the adhesion of decals or paint.
Step 6: Decals
Once the primer is dry, the decals are placed on the paddle blade materials using special machines that help to glue them without wrinkles. The decals are very important, as they are responsible for giving style and personality to the paddle racket.
Step 7: Drill hole drilling
Remember we told you that the paddles are manufactured in one solid piece? Now it is time to create the characteristic holes of the paddle blades. A special high-precision drill is used to drill the holes that will give the necessary strength and aerodynamics to the paddle racket.
Step 8: Fit plug and strap
The last step in how paddle blades are manufactured is to place the cap that goes on the base of the paddle and protects it to give greater resistance, as well as the strap attached to the handle which helps control and safety of the user.
You may be interested in our article on the differences between 12K and 18K carbon.
