Rubber thickness and weight

Equipment

Devin Hirsch
Devin Hirsch Asked 8 years ago

Hi Alois,

I was wondering. Does the thickness of a rubber dictate its weight no matter what, or can the hardness of the sponge matter as well? For instance, will a 2.0mm piece of hard sponge Hurricane III rubber weigh more than a 2.0mm piece of Rakza 7 Soft sponge rubber? Or since it's the same thickness it still weighs the same amount?

Thank you,

Devin


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Devin,

The density of the sponge is a big factor as well as the thickness.  A harder sponge will tend to weigh more than a softer sponge.

The top sheet can also vary in weight as well depending on its composition.


Thoughts on this question


Jean Balthazar

Jean Balthazar Posted 8 years ago

Alois said it all. For the same rubber, e.g. Yasaka Rakza 7 and the same sponge thickness, the regular Rakza (46°) will be heavier than the Rakza Soft (40°). For the same rubber and the same sponge thickness, e.g. Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft, a Max sponge will be heavier than a 1.8mm sponge. But two different rubbers with the same sponge thickness and the same density will not necessarily be exactly equally heavy.

Also, there is some variation between two sheets of the same rubber with the same sponge tickness. sometimes it can go be as much as 15%. Check here : http://tabletennis-reviews.com/reference/rubber-sheet-mass-size-database/ So in practice, you can sometimes find a sheet of Rubber X in 2.0mm sponge that is lighter than another sheet of Rubber X with a 1.8mm sponge!


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