SPORTS & RECREATION

From football helmets and hockey sticks to kayaks and bobsleds, composite materials help athletes all over the world optimize performance. Almost every sport has found an application for carbon or glass fiber composites, and many athletes who compete in the Olympics or on their little league fields rely on high-performance composite equipment. Composites are used in sports equipment because they offer ease of transport, damage resistance, reduced weight, durability and low maintenance.

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Properties and Benefits

  • Durability in extreme environments
  • Light weight
  • Flexible in terms of color, shape and texture
  • High strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Long lifespans

Applications

  • Skis
  • Snowboards
  • Bikes
  • Helmets
  • Golf clubs
  • Off road vehicles
  • Race cars
  • Bobsleds
  • Skate boards
  • Motorcycle
  • Pools

Case Studies

Composites in the Olympics

In nearly every Olympic sport you can imagine, athletes are using advanced composite technology in their remarkable demonstrations of speed, strength and skill. From archery bows and bicycle frames to lightweight hulls for kayaks and racing boats.

A Racing Helment

While some motorcycle racers might be leery of a helmet that’s thinner and lighter, helmet manufacturer Bell Powersports recognizes that using composites can better protect racers.

The Cyclotron

Upstart company Cyclotron Cycles is using composites to develop on its innovative Cyclotron Bike – the world’s first “smart bike” that rides without spokes or wheels.

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