Materials for sporting goods: golf clubs, bicycles, scooters, shuttlecocks, and other sporting goods perform better and last longer thanks to developments in aluminum, steel, polymers, and composites.

Advanced Materials & Processes, September, 2004

* Zirconium-aluminum alloy, carbon composites make stronger bicycles A zirconium-aluminum alloy called ZR9000 is the first alloy developed exclusively for the bicycle industry, reports Trek Bicycle Corp., Waterloo, Wis. To make superior bicycle tubes, such as those on the mountain bike shown, an alloy must be able to withstand the stresses and strains unique to cycling.

After twelve years of development, Trek engineers determined the perfect amount of zirconium to add to aluminum to create a strong aluminum alloy for bicycle frames. ZR9000 is said to be 15% stronger and 15% lighter than standard aluminum, and as strong as steel. The new alloy is also dense, weldable, formable, and capable of heat treatment. Trek made a special carbon composite racing bicycle...

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