TENNIS STRING MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION
POLYESTER BASED TENNIS STRINGS:
EXAMPLES:
Golden Set Power Cord, Hex Poly, Snake-Bite & Snake-Bite Smooth
MATERIAL PROPERTIES:
Polyester based strings have improved a great deal over the last 10 years thanks to the development of co-polyesters (polyester blends) having more favourable mechanical properties. These new co-polyesters maintain tension better and offer a feel that is less harsh.
CONSTRUCTION:
Typically extruded mono-filaments. Recent trend towards non-circular cross-sections (i.e.. Hex Poly) to increase spin potential (texture increases friction between ball and strings).
NYLON BASED TENNIS STRINGS:
EXAMPLES:
Golden Set Synthetic Gut
MATERIAL PROPERTIES:
Can be fairly soft or hard depending on chemical composition
CONSTRUCTION:
Generally, the cores of solid-core strings are made from a soft nylon compound to provide elasticity. (nylon solid-core examples: Classic, Synthetic Gut). A harder nylon compound is often used as the jacket material. Abrasion and notch resistance improve as hardness increases. Nylon based, multi-filament core strings such as Golden Set Satin, Maximal or Velvet have cores consisting of many nylon filaments.
COMMENTS:
- Nylon based solid-core strings offer excellent value by providing good performance and durability characteristics at a reasonable price. Easy to string with thanks to moderate flexural stiffness and smooth low-friction surface
- Nylon based multi-filament core strings can provide levels of comfort, softness and power that approach those of natural gut string.
NYLON BASED TENNIS STRINGS:
EXAMPLES:
Golden Set Synthetic Gut
MATERIAL PROPERTIES:
Can be fairly soft or hard depending on chemical composition
CONSTRUCTION:
Generally, the cores of solid-core strings are made from a soft nylon compound to provide elasticity. (nylon solid-core examples: Classic, Synthetic Gut). A harder nylon compound is often used as the jacket material. Abrasion and notch resistance improve as hardness increases. Nylon based, multi-filament core strings such as Golden Set Satin, Maximal or Velvet have cores consisting of many nylon filaments.
COMMENTS:
- Nylon based solid-core strings offer excellent value by providing good performance and durability characteristics at a reasonable price. Easy to string with thanks to moderate flexural stiffness and smooth low-friction surface
- Nylon based multi-filament core strings can provide levels of comfort, softness and power that approach those of natural gut string.
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COMMENTS:
- Polyester based strings are the fastest growing segment of the tennis string market
- Have become extremely popular at the professional level
- The relatively low power of polyester (in comparison with nylon based or natural gut strings) allows for the generation of more spin
- Generally, stiffness is in between that of nylon and aramid based strings
- For a softer feel, Polyester strings are sometimes used only in the mains. A solid-core nylon based string is often used in the crosses (strings running perpendicular to handle axis) to soften the feel A combination of different string types like this is commonly referred to as a "hybrid" or "blend". Typically the more durable string will be installed in the mains (because main strings usually endure more abrasion and stress than cross strings). Sometimes a polyester string is used in crosses with a softer string in the mains (even softer feel at the cost of durability). Main strings tend to have a greater influence on string-bed behaviour (playability) than cross strings
- When trying polyester for the first time, it is generally recommended that a player use a tension that is 5-10% lower than what they would normally use with a nylon or natural gut based string (this will compensate for the higher stiffnes of polyester)