The second model in the Elite range, the 95% carbon lay-up is placed across a fibreglass micro-skeleton giving more touch and feel than the CK95. The Pro Bend is suited for a wide variety of playing styles, without the aggression of the Ultimate bend.
- 95% Carbon
- Pro Low Bend (24mm @ 230mm)
- Dual process vibration control (Piezo-Electric fibres, M-Gel)
- Nano-Polymer Resin
- X-fibre backhand edge
Pro Bend
The Mercian Pro Bend incorporates a near maximum 23.5mm bow positioned just below the mid-point of the shaft, approximately 250mm from the bottom of the stick. The shaft has then been shaped to give a thinner profile under the right hand and a balance point that favours the head end of the stick.
This gives a combination of great stick turn-over due to the shape but enhanced hitting power because of the balance point and sweet spot, the hitting power is also enhanced because the head is 1.5mm thicker than the ultimate bend.
Carbon Fibre: CF95 – 95% Carbon
To provide stiffness in multiple directions the fibre can be woven into a multi-directional sheet (seen as an obvious weave in the sticks surface) or single direction sheets can be layered over each other to create the multi-directional stiffness. 40% of the weight of a composite stick comes from the resin within it.
So, a stick can’t be 100% carbon. However, it can be claimed that 100% of the composite materials in a stick are carbon. Mercian do not believe this gives optimal strength and so always combine the carbon overlay with a composite micro-skeleton made from fibreglass, Kevlar (aramid) and basalt.
TCDK (tungsten carbide diffused Kevlar)
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fibre, also known simply as ARAMID in other sticks. This high-strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires. Typically it is spun into ropes or fabric sheets that can be used as such or as an ingredient in composite material components.
Currently, Kevlar has many applications, including bulletproof vests, because of its high tensile strength-to-weight ratio; by this measure it is 5 times stronger than steel. Tungsten carbide (chemical formula WC) is a chemical compound (specifically, a carbide) containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine grey powder, Tungsten carbide is approximately twice as strong as steel, For TCDK the fine powder version of WC is diffused through a sheet of Kevlar in the manufacturing process further enhancing the natural characteristics of the material and increasing both its strength and more specifically its durability.
Peizo-Electric Fibres
Piezo-electric fibres are included in all the Evolution sticks they are used to ‘harvest’ the vibrations created in these super-stiff sticks and turn them into heat. The result of this is efficient vibration dampening. Its achieved because the molecules within the material are active, the force applied to them (vibrations) causes the fibres to bend and emit a small electric charge that is dispelled as heat. The technology originally used by Head in tennis, applied those forces through an electrode to counter-act the vibrations (this isn’t present in hockey sticks!)
Nano-Polymer Resin
The particles within our resins have been altered at a nano-size level (10 x below microscopic) Instead of using nano-carbon particles, the use of rubberized polymers creates a more flexible but stronger bond between the composite layers. This increases the stiffness of the sticks and reduces de-lamination.
Fibreglass – CF95 – 5% Fibreglass
The basic synthetic material that makes the initial micro-skeleton in all Mercian composite sticks. Simple fibreglass stands, dipped in custom resins and then woven into sheets to be combined with other materials to create the combinations relative to the specific stick’s performance.
Player Profile
- The Elite CF95 is a PRO BEND (24MM @ 230MM), high carbon stick. It suits aspirational intermediate players or elite athletes*.
- The Pro Bend is a standard low bow which eases the execution of drag flicks, 3D skills and overhead passes, but is also suitable for standard slaps, hits and great close control.
- It is suitable for a (advanced*) defensive player who enjoys push passing, hitting and slapping as primary skills. (Jab and block tackling are skill, not stick, dependant). The lower balance point gives some head weight to aid ball control.
- It is suitable for a (advanced*) midfield player who enjoys running with the ball but is not focused on lifting the ball off the ground. The head weighting aids hitting for shooting and passing as well as tight control.
- It is suitable for a (advanced*) forward who likes to focus on accurate control, powerful hit and slap shots and running with the ball with controlled movement.
