I want some proof..Pro Stock racquets

[vsbabolat]

No that isn't what I meant. The paint cosmetic said "Aerogel 200" but in small print on the racket itself, it said "No Aerogel".

Yes it does say Aerogel on the side of the racquet where it should.
Photo by suppawat:

The cosmetics on Berdych frames match retail frame perfectly.

 

[grimmbomb21]

 

[Marcus]

no clue what your problem is, but its pretty clear what the A/B choices are. if you think they are different materials in the pro stock or not. its also clear you are a former banned poster.

Excuse me.... Banned poster ?

I don't think so mate !

 

[grimmbomb21]

Excuse me.... Banned poster ?

I don't think so mate !

Sorry. Couldn't resist!

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

... Not only has the carbon fiber and resin become better with newer materials but the processes for resin use has allowed far better saturation of the resin as well as allowing much less of it to be used. I find it is no coincidence than many people feel today's racquets are "tinny" compared to older racquets. This is a result of better graphite which is very brittle coupled with more of it playing into the overall makeup of the racquet....

Very interesting info; thanks for posting. One part of it seems counterintuitive, not so much from an engineering standpoint as from a business one: given that (a) stronger, higher-modulus graphite is now available, that (b) less of a stronger material is needed to ensure a sufficiently low rate of retail frame failure, and that (c) using more material costs more money, it seems like companies would have every reason to use less rather than more CF than in the old days. And the lower frequency response would make us grognards happier too!

Is it that there is so much more CF in each layer of composite (due to higher CF-to-resin ratio these days) that it more than makes up for the fewer layers in racquet walls (assuming that claim is true) and lower overall mass?

 

[ClubHoUno]

I have used TGK238.5 and retail YTPP, they are somehow similar but still different. It felt like the TGK wasnt as stiff and had a different flex to it. It had the exact same specs as the retail version, it could be the polarized set up with silicone and lead at 12 that did it but it played better IMO.

I agree.

I had a retail Youtek Prestige Pro (YTPP) and then bought 4 TGK 238.5 setup just like the retail Youtek Prestige Pro - and while they're definitely are similarities between the two frames, they just feel different.

The TGK 238.5 feels softer and more flexy than the retail YTPP - wheter it's because of the silicone in the handle and the lead tape under the cap grommets and maybe some extra material stuffed inside the tubes, I don't know - fact just is that TGK 238.5 with the same balance, weight and swing weight as the retail Youtek prestige pro feels quite a bit different compared to the retail YTPP !

We will never be able to answer the question from the OP, unless you are an insider at Head HQ, and they would be totally stupid if they revealed the truth in here on TT - so the question will never be fully answered

 

[grimmbomb21]

The TGK 238.5 feels softer and more flexy than the retail YTPP - wheter it's because of the silicone in the handle and the lead tape under the cap grommets and maybe some extra material stuffed inside the tubes, I don't know - fact just is that TGK 238.5 with the same balance, weight and swing weight as the retail Youtek prestige pro feels quite a bit different compared to the retail YTPP !

Excellent. Now I am definitely sticking with the retail frame. I like the stiffer flex and pop just fine.

 

[pyrokid]

FWIW, I chopped up a K90 a while ago.

It has the same amount of kevlar as the 88, which is advertised to have none.

 

[mtommer]

...One part of it seems counterintuitive, not so much from an engineering standpoint as from a business one:...

This is where an understanding of the big consumers of carbon fiber comes into play. The high money contracts are the military and aviation fields. The ideal carbon fiber material is one with no resin at all as the resin is a potential point of product failure. Essentially what this means is that other industries that use carbon fiber are left with a product that is really over engineered for their purposes but they still get it cheaper than if they had a custom makeup using older resins and graphite configurations; which even if they are available may or may not pass more current government regulations/heath and safety laws.

Is it that there is so much more CF in each layer of composite (due to higher CF-to-resin ratio these days) that it more than makes up for the fewer layers in racquet walls (assuming that claim is true) and lower overall mass?

Well, I'm not sure of the exact difference in the number of layers. As it's only a tennis racquet, even with the old stuff, there aren't that many layers to begin with. However, for example, the microscopic differences between the graphite strands would be like being able to fit a log between strands as opposed to now being able to fit a twig between strands. To our eye we don't see much of any difference but what about frequency waves as they propagate through the material? Also, even being able to take away just one layer of ply represents a pretty significant advance in material.

 

[Azzurri]

FWIW, I chopped up a K90 a while ago.

It has the same amount of kevlar as the 88, which is advertised to have none.

yes, a while back someone had cut up a K88 and it definetly had kevlar.