OUR MATERIALS

There can be different materials used in composite hockey sticks, from basic fibreglass sticks up to the most complex high carbon, vibration controlling, super lightweight Olympic level items.
This section details the nature of all the materials that are used across the SNS range, what they do and the effect they have.

SNS hockey sticks are made of 4 primary constituents:
Carbon Fibre
Fibreglass
Aramid (Kevlar)
Resin Matrix

Carbon Fibre

We use Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean carbon fibre to make our sticks. Carbon fibre offers the highest strength-to-weight ratio.

When used correctly, carbon is an ideal component for hockey stick composition contributing to delivering high ball speed [power for hitting, slapping, pushing] while being light. It contributes to reducing the overall weight to enhance players ability to move the stick quickly.

Carbon is stiff but brittle. The stiffness means that the energy created by the player when striking the ball (hit / slap) transfers to the ball and is not absorbed by the stick. Maximum energy transfer allowed by the FIH is 98%. But this stiffness means that the stick will not absorb energy on trapping / receiving so needs soft hands!

Carbon fibre makes SNS sticks light-weight with high power and stiffness.

Fibre Glass

Fibreglass is heavier and not as stiff as carbon fibre. It is more impact resistant and has a greater elongation to break than carbon fibre. Whilst being strong, it is not as brittle as carbon and therefore forms a fantastic base which absorbs some energy because of its flexibility and over which the carbon and kevlar can be layered to create high performance sticks.

Fibreglass is used to control the flex of SNS hockey sticks, owing to its easy formability characteristics and high mechanical strength. These specifications make fibreglass a crucial material in protecting carbon fibre from impacts.

Glassfibre improves the touch and feel of SNS sticks.

Aramid (Kevlar)

Aramid is another key material used in the production of SNS sticks.

It is also known by its trade name of Kevlar.

Aramid fibres are a heat resistant, incredibly strong synthetic fibre. For these reasons, they are used commercially in the manufacture of bullet proof vests and cars.

In a hockey stick, they add to the strength and durability of the stick, balancing the brittle nature of the Carbon with shock absorption and creating well bonded hitting surfaces. Aramid fibre provides an exceptional impact resistance and is very abrasion resistant.

Heavier than carbon, aramid fibre is key in vibration reduction and fatigue resistance.

Aramid fibre increases the abrasion resistance and durability of SNS sticks.

Resin Matrix

Epoxy resin is what combines the 3 types of fibres in SNS hockey sticks.

Under high temperature, this resin gets cured and forms a solid composite material with new characteristics that are better than the individual components.

Resin matrix is the process of moulding the stick where the resin combines both the chemical and physical structures of different fibres together.

Resin matrix provides the optimal combined benefits of all fibres in SNS sticks.