STEM 6 Pole Vault What is the Importance of Material Selection in Sports Equipment? Klariszelle: Over the past 100 years, the materials used in sports equipment have evolved from raw materials such as wood, twine, gut, and rubber to high-technology materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and synthetic hybrid materials like composites and cellular concepts. Jasmine: The design of sports equipment must rely on the knowledge of materials science, engineering, physics, physiology, and biomechanics and must consider various possible characteristics. Material selection will play a vital role in the playing field by enhancing each sport's performance. What is Pole Vault? Pole vault is a track-and-field competition in which athletes attempt to jump over an elevated crossbar by vaulting themselves up and over it with a long, flexible pole. A competitor in the pole vault can be called a pole vaulter. During the competition, the crossbar continues to be raised after each round so that competitors can continue to attempt higher vaults (with some getting eliminated if they knock off the bar or cannot clear it). They usually get three attempts to complete a vault. What are the materials used in Pole Vault? The original use of pole vault was transportation, like vaulting over a creek or river. In this time the “poles” were made of bamboo because bamboo was more durable than a stick or tree branch since they would just snap when too much weight was applied. Nowadays, Pole vault is a mix of carbon fiber and fiber glass. Jasmine: The pole should be neither too rigid nor too flexible. In order to leverage the repulsive force, an athlete should choose a pole with a bending angle not exceeding 90 degrees. Differences between fiberglass and carbon fiber poles include: * Weight - carbon fiber poles are slightly lighter * Feeling - the poles will feel slightly different to jump on * Diameter - carbon fiber poles are narrower Klariszelle: However, carbon fiber is less common and sometimes more expensive. A vaulter you know has likely access to fiberglass poles. Therefore, Fiberglass is generally more diverse. What is the difference between Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber? Fiberglass is the standard material for making poles, and a carbon-fiber composite equivalent is a lesscommon alternative. Fiberglass is a very strong flexible and sturdy material which makes a perfect vault pole. It is used in three separate pieces to create the vault pole the first piece is a narrow piece that spirals up and down to give the pole flexibility, the second piece is used to give it strength, and the third piece is used to tell which way the pole will bend. These pieces are each different sizes and in the process are layered on top of each other. Fiberglass are made up of four main compounds. These are aluminium oxide, silicon dioxide, boron trioxide and sodium oxide. They are all naturally occurring, and chemical compounds. 1. Aluminium oxide (Al2O3), Aluminum is 1.61 and oxygen has 3.44 electronegativity resulting in 1.83 which is polar. It is used in vault poles because of its lightweight and strong characteristics. 2. Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), in its Lewis structure this has a linear shape, and since the elements at each end are the same, the pull is canceled out, making the overall compound non-polar. This is used most often as an additive in plastic because of its strength. This can be found in sand and quartz. 3. Boron Trioxide (B2O3), when combined it is non-polar due to the central boron atom, which makes it electron-deficient. This makes vault poles in the form of sodium borate pentahydrate it is lightweight and strong and very common use as an insulator for fiberglass. This can be found in the ocean, coal and in some soils. 4. Sodium Oxide (Na2O), It is an ionic compound because it contains one metal cation and one nonmetal anion, and when its molecular polarity is determined, it is 2.51, still resulting as an ionic compound. One of its characteristics is lowering the temperature it takes to melt which will help later in the process when the fiberglass and resin combine. Sodium oxide is not used in the raw form when creating glass. 5. Resin is a liquid product that is clear and also is used to create a durable and glossy finish. When the resin is introduced to certain conditions the catalysts in it will activate to turn the liquid into a hard finish, the resin will the cure which will make a smooth surface for the fiberglass pole. In the creation of the pole vault pole the resin that is being used with the fiberglass is called acrylic modified unsaturated polyester resin. This makes resin a non polar and hydrophobic compound. Conclusion: From the four primary compounds, we produced—polar, non-polar, and an ionic compound— when combined we form a force known as the London Dispersion Intermolecular Force. This force balances the material because there is only one destination for both paths; if it is too strong or too flexible, the poles may break. Despite looking ironic, LDF is the weakest IMF, I believe it’s just right so that all the Fiberglass materials are all balanced. We want to ensure that it will not break when a pole vaulter is in mid air that can actually carry the weight of a pole vaulter, and based on definition of strengths and cost, fiberglass would be considered the stronger material due to its nature to flex to avoid breaking and it costs less. Potential questions: 1. Why Fiberglass is more flexible than Carbon Glass? - Carbon fiber is slightly stronger than fiberglass and can replace metals in certain applications. Fiberglass, on the other hand might not have a have a higher tensile strength but has a dramatically lower tensile modulus. This allows our poles to bend and take more strain without breaking. As we are talking about making poles, we ensure that a pole must be strong however flexible since pole vaulters are going to jump over themselves into the crossbar. We want to ensure that it will not break when a pole vaulter is in mid air that can actually carry the weight of a pole vaulter. Both materials have their pros and cons but overall the superior material fiber glass. 2. Which is a better in terms of making poles, Fiberglass or Carbon Glass? Based on definition of strength, fiberglass would be considered the stronger material due to its nature to flex to avoid breaking. 3. Carbon Fiber is made up of? About 90% of the carbon fibers produced are made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The remaining 10% are made from rayon or petroleum pitch. All of these materials are organic polymers, characterized by long strings of molecules bound together by carbon atoms. 4. Fiberglass is made up of? Textile-grade glass fibers are made from silica (SiO 2) sand, which melts at 1720°C/3128°F. SiO2 is also the basic element in quartz, a naturally occurring rock. Quartz, however, is crystalline (rigid, highly ordered atomic structure) and is 99% or more SiO 2. If SiO2 is heated above 1200°C/2192°F then cooled ambiently, it crystallizes and becomes quartz. Glass is produced by altering the temperature and cooldown rates. If pure SiO 2 is heated to 1720°C/3128°F then cooled quickly, crystallization can be prevented and the process yields the amorphous or randomly ordered atomic structure we know as glass. 5. What are the other uses of CF? - Automobiles: Carbon fiber has been adopted rapidly in automobile manufacturing. The material first found its use in Formula 1 and NASCAR vehicles due to its strength-to-weight ratio, which helped develop faster cars. The material also gained traction in the production of high-end cars due to its sleek, hightech look. As costs come down, carbon fiber is expected to be used in components for mass-produced cars, such as housings and frames. - Aerospace: Aerospace was one of the first industries to adopt carbon fiber due to its strength and weight savings, and they've made good use of the material. In fact, 30% of all carbon fiber is used in the aerospace industry. From spacecraft and aircraft to helicopters and gliders, carbon fiber is everywhere in the modern aerospace industry. - Military: Military carbon fiber applications have come a long way since the 1800s. Whereas carbon fiber was initially used for lighting in naval ships, today's carbon fiber is used in everything from missiles and drones to helmets and tent posts. The key benefits of carbon fiber for the military are its strength and lightweight nature, facilitating easier transportation and improved energy conservation. - Sporting goods: Carbon fiber is everywhere in sports goods due to its strength and light weight. In fact, carbon fiber is often seen as a top-tier material for professional sports. Hockey sticks, tennis racquets, archery bows, and golf clubs made from carbon fiber are often used in competitions, while carbon fiber rowing shells and bicycles are the new standards. Even clothing and protective gear are made with carbon fiber, with racing sports often using carbon fiber helmets and shoes. - Medicine: The medical field is another industry where carbon fiber has made significant headway in recent years. Carbon fiber shows up as transparent on X-ray images, which has led to its use in a wide range of X-ray and imaging equipment. Carbon fiber is also used in prosthetic limbs, which are strong, light, and comfortable to wear and use. On top of broad industry applications, carbon fiber is gaining traction as a material for in-home and DIY uses. Carbon fiber is an eye-catching material for furniture, utensils, and even statement clothes. These days, it's easy to find pre-made or ready-to-assemble kits so anyone can have or make their own carbon fiber accessories. 6. What are the other uses of FG? Types and forms of fiberglass: Depending on the raw materials used and their proportions to make fiberglass, fiberglass can be classified into following major types: - A-glass: A glass is also called as alkali glass and is resistant to chemicals. Due to the composition of A glass fiber, it is close to window glass. In some parts of the world, it is used to make process equipment. C-glass: C-glass offers very good resistance to chemical impact and is also called as chemical glass. E-glass: It is also called as electrical glass and is a very good insulator of electricity. AE-glass: This is alkali resistant glass. S glass: It is also called as structural glass and is known for its mechanical properties. Fiberglass comes in various forms to suite various applications, the major ones being: Fiberglass Tape: Fiberglass tapes are made up of glass fiber yarns and are known for their thermal insulation properties. This form of fiberglass finds wide applications in wrapping vessels, hot pipelines, and the likes. Fiberglass Cloth: Fiberglass cloth is smooth and is available in various variants like glass fiber yarns and glass filament yarns. It is widely used as heat shields, in fire curtains and others. Fiberglass Rope: Ropes are braided from glass fiber yarns and are used for packing purposes. Properties of fiberglass Mechanical strength: Fiberglass has a specific resistance greater than steel. So, it is used to make high-performance Electrical characteristics: Fiberglass is a good electrical insulator even at low thickness. Incombustibility: Since fiberglass is a mineral material, it is naturally incombustible. It does not propagate or support a flame. It does not emit smoke or toxic products when exposed to heat. Dimensional stability: Fiberglass is not sensitive to variations in temperature and hygrometry. It has a low coefficient of linear expansion. Compatibility with organic matrices: Fiberglass can have varying sizes and has the ability to combine with many synthetic resins and certain mineral matrices like cement. Non-rotting: Fiberglass does not rot and remains unaffected by the action of rodents and insects. Thermal conductivity: Fiberglass has low thermal conductivity making it highly useful in the building industry. Dielectric permeability: This property of fiberglass makes it suitable for electromagnetic windows. Applications of Fiberglass in various Industries Materials with high-temperature insulation provide an effective thermal barrier for industrial gaskets. Since fiberglass is durable, safe and offers high thermal insulation, fiberglass is one of the widely preferred materials in industrial gaskets. They not only provide a better insulation but also help in protecting the machinery, conserving the energy and ensure the safety of the professional workforce. This is the reason perhaps why fiberglass is widely used in industries given below: - Beverage industry: Fiberglass grating is used in many areas like bottling lines and in brew houses. Car washes: Recently, fiberglass grating is greatly used for rust resistance and to give a contrast color to areas that previously looked forbidden. It brightens the inside of the carwash tunnel making the car look cleaner than it was. Chemical industry: In this industry, the fiberglass grating is used for anti-slip safety feature of the embedded grit surface and the chemically resistant feature of different resin compounds. The chemicals being used are matched with the resins. Cooling towers: Since cooling towers are always wet, they have to be protected from rust, corrosion, and other safety issues. Due to the excellent properties of fiberglass, it is used in these towers as screening to keep people and animals away from the danger zones. Docks and marinas: The docks get corroded, rusted and damaged by the salty sea water. So, fiberglass is used here for protection. Food processing: In the chicken and beef processing plants, fiberglass grating is used for slip resistance and for holding up to blood which is corrosive. Most of the areas of food processing also use fiberglass as other grating materials are not suitable. Fountains and aquariums: All sizes of fountains and aquariums use fiberglass to support rocks to help in circulation and filtering from under the rocks. In large public fountains, fiberglass grating is used to protect spray headers and lights from getting damaged. This also keeps people from drowning in the fountains. - Manufacturing: The embedded grit surface of fiberglass grating ensures slip resistance in the areas that are wet or in places where hydraulic fluids or oils are present. Metals and mining: Fiberglass grating is used in electronic refining areas prone to chemical corrosion. Other grating materials cannot be used here. Power generation: Many areas of the power generation industry like tank farms, scrubbers, and others use fiberglass. The reason for this is the non-conductive property of fiberglass. Plating plants: This application uses fiberglass grating due to the anti-slip property of the surface. Pulp and paper industry: The property of fiberglass which makes it chemical corrosion resistant is useful in pulp and bleach mills. Recently, fiberglass is used in many areas due to its corrosion resistance and anti-slip properties. Automotive industry: Fiberglass is extensively used in automobile industry. Almost every car has fiberglass components and body kits. Aerospace & Defense: Fiberglass is used to manufacture parts for both military and civilian aerospace industry including test equipment, ducting, enclosures, and others. 7. Do the players have to change their pole vaults? Athletes use several poles at a meet, starting smaller and getting bigger as they go higher, they have to know when to change. "when poles gets too soft, they tend to maybe overbend and break them. Changing onto a longer pole is usually needed when the vaulter starts to run out of grip as they grip higher up the pole.
