The Chemistry of Softball Bats

Introduction

I chose to research softball bats, a tool used in the sport of softball to hit the ball. There are two different types of softball bats, aluminum and composite. I mainly focused on composite because that is the most common type used today. Softball bats are extremely complex, but are made for such a simple purpose: to hit a ball in the most effective way possible. I decided to research softball bats because I have been participating in softball for many years, and it is my favorite sport. It has become a big part of my life, and it interests me to discover more about the way that it works.

Composition of ...

Main materials used in a composite softball bat:

Carbon fiber sheet -C3H3N: Form the shape of the bat
Aramid- C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂: Synthetic fibers that help build the walls
Epoxy-C₂₁H₂₅CLO₅: Structural Adhesive that keeps everything in the bat together
Poly-carbonate plug-C₁₅H₁₆O₂: Used for weight and to seal off the end
Steel Rod/Pin-Fe₃C: Rob is used to shape the bat, but is eventually removed. Pin is used to make the correct balance
Fiber Glass- (Al₂O₃)₉(B₂O₃)₅(MgO)₈₅(SiO₂): A part that helps build the walls

Steps to compose a composite softball bat:

Carbon Fiber Sheets are ironed together then cut to shape
Carbon Fiber Sheets are spiralled around a steel bat form and poly-carbonate tape is used to squeeze the air out between layers. Bat is then baked in an oven to fuse them all together.
Tape is removed. Tubes of braided carbon and fiberglass, carbon fibers, and a synthetic weave called aramid are slid on and taped, before putting the softball bat into a mold.
Epoxy Resin is injected, mold applies hot pressure to bake layers together, then forming the shape
Steel form is removed since bat can hold its own form, and is tested for flexibility using pneumatic equipment
The end is cut to shape a knob, and bat is sanded
Bat is painted with primer, spray paint, and decals and laser printers to make design
Poly-carbonate plug is added to the end for weight and is sealed with resin

A steel pin is drilled into the knob to attain correct balance

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Two Main Components: Carbon Fiber and Epoxy

1. Carbon Fiber:

Carbon Fiber is extremely thin strands of carbon twisted together, and these strands are exceptionally strong and remarkably light weight. Its chemical formula is C3H3N. Carbon Fiber is stronger than steel, and also lighter. It was created in 1958 by Roger Bacon at the Union Carbide Parma Technical Center in Ohio. Sheets of carbon atoms are placed into a hexagonal pattern, like graphite to form the strands. It is used in composite materials because it is so strong. This is useful for softball bats because the continuous repetition of contact with softballs will not damage it. Also, it’s characteristic of being lightweight is good for bats because it allows the batter to swing the bat faster and more powerfully.

2. Epoxy Resin:

Epoxy is a great structural adhesive made out of two parts, epoxide and polyamine. Its chemical

formula is C₂₁H₂₅ClO₅. This resin is used to keep all the materials of a softball bat together. It is

used on the outside to hold everything together, and on the inside to hold the layers of materials

together. It is man made and was created in the U.S. in 1972. It is used where high strength bonds

are needed. Other characteristics include good heat resistance, and good conductor of electricity

(one reason why bats should not be used during lightning storms).

Chemistry's Role

Chemistry is a large part of making a softball bat, as it is in making anything else. A softball bat is made of different elements, especially carbon, and a few others, like titanium or aluminum. The final product is a man-made object, and all of the pieces are made in laboratories. For example, carbon fiber is made in a five step process involving chemistry. Simply, it is made by spinning the fibers into long strands, and then heating them to extremely high temperatures without oxygen to rearrange the atoms. Then, the atoms are stabilized and heated again to remove the non carbon atoms. Another main component, epoxy resin, is made with two substances called epoxide and polyamine. They combine on a chemical level into a criss cross pattern of atoms. Chemistry is involved in the making of everything, and a softball bat is no exception.

Background Research

Softball bats were first used in 1887 when George Hancock invented the game of softball. Wooden bats were used up until 1970, which is when aluminum bats were introduced. Worth was the first company to create an aluminum bat, but Easton and Louisville Slugger were not far behind. Composite bats were introduced in 2000 and soon became the highest performing bats in the sport.

Resources

http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-make-composite-softball-bats.html

materials needed to make a composite bat

how to make a composite softball bat

http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats/compalum.html

composite vs. aluminum bats

history of types of composite bats

http://www.ehow.com/about_6863225_history-softball-bats.html

history of softball and bats

titanium bats vs. aluminum

http://www.ehow.com/about_4614339_softball-bats.html

background info about bats

http://haspi.org/curriculum-library/Med-Chem-lessons/17%20Chemistry%20in%20Water%20Quality%20and%20Monitoring%20and%20Green%20Chemistry/Brief%20Med%20Chem_Green%20Chem%20articles.pdf#page=93

elements used to make a softball bat

description of elements and their benefits

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_baseball_bat

History of composite bat

Design of composite bat

Advantages/disadvantages of composite bat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquidmetal

Info about Liquidmetal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyacrylonitrile#Carbon_fiber

Carbon Fiber Formula

Info about carbon fiber: background, history, uses, structure

http://www.academia.edu/2209780/Para-Aramids

Chemical formula for Aramid

http://leochemo.com/new/epoxy_resin.html

Chemical formula for Epoxy Resin

Information on epoxy: uses, history, structure

http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=7963

Chemical formula for polycarbonate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel

Steel chemical formula

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Carbon-Fiber

http://www.zoltek.com/carbonfiber/how-is-it-made/

How to make Carbon Fiber

http://www.google.com/patents/US20130130846

Melting point of bat mold

About the Author

Anna Paine is a junior at Billings Senior High School. She is the youngest of four children, all of which also attended Senior High. She loves to play sports, especially softball. Throughout high school she has participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She hopes to graduate as a valedictorian and possibly attend Montana State University to become a nurse.