Carbon Sharx™ is laid up over custom molded foam cores manufactured at Easton Sports. This braid reinforced preform is placed in a two-part female mold and resin transfer molded. The use of braided reinforcements allows the Easton designers to tailor the fiber orientation to achieve the desired strength, stiffness and durability with the most cost-effective preform. Woven cloth wrapped around the blade would be effective, but hand wrapping, trimming, and finishing would be labor-intensive. The choice of a braided construction permits assembly in one simple operation, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Blades reinforced with Sharx™ are lighter in weight, thinner, and 10% stronger than blades made with prepreg. As the braid expands to fit over the blade, the angle becomes a relatively high hoop-direction angle, ideal for impact resistance. Then as the braid is drawn down to fit the hozzle, the braid angle changes, adding more longitudinal strength in the hozzle. This conformance to changing geometries is seamless, and the braid conforms perfectly to the shape of the blade - as easy as pulling a sock over one's foot.
Easton Hockey has found that Sharx™ adds service life, identity, and flair to their world-renowned blades.