Application of Epoxy Resin and Glass Fiber Composites in Cricket Bats

Abstract

The sports industry predominantly makes use of wood for manufacturing equipment such as cricket bats. However, the equipment has to be replaced often as it gets worn out and damaged. This has led to increased wood consumption, which is rapidly becoming scarce, contributing to environmental issues. The objective of this work is to provide a protective composite layer on the face of the bat to enhance its life without affecting its performance. This work also aims to find a solution to reduce the wood consumption in the cricket industry in the form of a protective composite layer. The layers on the bats are prepared using two different resins, namely HSC 7600 and General Purpose resin with 400 GSM glass fibers as the reinforcement. The specimens are prepared using the hand-layup process and then cured in the oven. The composite materials are then subjected to tensile tests and impact tests. Properties such as Young’s modulus and impact stress are obtained. When compared with willow wood, the specimens prepared using HSC 7600 exhibit similar properties and can be used in practical applications. The layer once applied on the bat, is subsequently tested under traditional match-like conditions wherein more than 2000 shots are played with a standard leather ball. Regular willow bats are tested similarly, and cracks begin to appear after approximately 1700 shots. Testing of the bats that are reinforced with the composite layer shows that the layer is intact with negligible damages. It is concluded that this material is more resistant to the impact of the ball and also does not provide the batsman with an unfair advantage. With proper implementation, the application of such a layer is a promising solution to be put to use in the cricket industry that tackles the challenge of excess wood consumption.