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leisure Materials
An Introduction
The industries of leisure, sport and recreation may be wrongly considered of less importance when it comes to materials selection for optimum performance than other heavy industries within engineering. However, this is a most unforgivable misconception when we consider that the international leisure, sports and recreation industries are worth tens of billions of pounds to the global economy each year, not to mention that the competition and engagement aspects give all citizens the ability to support a team, watch live action and emulate their sporting icons by buying and using the same equipment which their heroes use.
Key considerations needed to be employed when selecting materials for products in this industry are; strength - most sports equipment is subject to very high stresses, formability - sports consumer products must be formed into the optimal shapes to ensure maximum performance, corrosion resistance - many activities take place in outdoor and marine situations, so the ability to withstand the elements and salt water are imperitive.
The materials and applications on this page are listed solely as a guide and do not reflect the limit of our supply, or the uses of said materials. If you have a specific application for which you need particular materials, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Aluminium
Pros
+ Straightforward to form into complex shapes, extruded, rolled, drawn and joined
+ Excellent corrosion resistance
+ High strength to weight ratio
+ Readily anodised for further corrosion/damage protection and colour accessorising
+ Very lightweight
+ Low modulus of elasticity
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Cons
Aluminium in Leisure
Nickel
Pros
+ Excellent corrosion resistance to the elements and chemicals
+ High strength
+ Superior hardness, meaning that Nickel-plated goods keep their aesthetic over time
+ Good electrical conductivity
+ A useful alloy in Sports, Leisure and Recreation goods made from Stainless Steel
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Cons
Nickel in Leisure
Steel
Pros
+ Relatively inexpensive
+ Stainless Steels have good corrosion resistance - useful for outdoor pastimes, in addition to proven plating methods
+ Good strength for load bearing roles/activities
+ Broad range of alloys to select from for different applications
+ Straightforward to shape, machine, cut and join
+ Good stiffness
+ Most abundant material used in Leisure and Recreation
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Cons
Steel in Leisure
Titanium
Pros
+ High strength to weight ratio
+ Excellent corrosion resistance - suitable for outdoor/marine pastimes
+ Relatively hard, making it difficult to scratch/damage
+ Very high specific strength
+ Low modulus of elasticity
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Titanium in Leisure
Carbon Fibre
Pros
+ Straightforward to form into complex shapes
+ Excellent corrosion resistance for outdoor and marine use
+ Very high strength
+ Low modulus of elasticity giving excellent stiffness
+ Unrivalled low weight
+ Aesthetically pleasing - often left in as-lacquered form
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Cons
Carbon Fibre in Leisure
Aramids
Pros
+ Straightforward to form into complex shapes
+ Excellent corrosion resistance
+ High strength
+ Very lightweight
+ Fire retardent
+ Resistant to electrical conductivity
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Aramids in Leisure
Integ Metals // Industries // Leisure
