# An Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Ti Films Reinforced with Wood Composites by Growing Ti Particles on a Wood Substrate

## TL;DR

This study improves table tennis racquet blades by coating them with titanium films, enhancing their rigidity and rebound efficiency.

## Contribution

A novel method of enhancing TTRB performance through Ti film deposition and custom testing devices.

## Key findings

- Ti film coating increases the rigidity and rebound efficiency of TTRBs.
- Optimal performance is achieved with a 5 μm Ti film thickness.
- Custom testing devices effectively measure TTRB mechanical properties.

## Abstract

Table tennis racquet blades (TTRBs) are specialized wood materials known for their excellent mechanical properties. As one of the widely used physical vapor deposition technologies, magnetron sputtering has become the most effective method for preparing various thin film materials. In this study, the surface of the TTRB is coated with a Ti film with different thicknesses by magnetron sputtering to improve the performance of the TTRB. The surface roughness, crystal structure, viscoelasticity of the TTRB were analyzed by means of non-contact surface profilometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In order to effectively test TTRB properties, three types of testing devices were designed, including free-fall rebound, laser vibration measurement, and the dynamic rebound test. The results reveal that the deposition of a Ti film on the surface of the TTRB improves the rigidity and rebound efficiency of the TTRB. Under optimized conditions, the initial amplitude, vertical rebound distance, and rebound rate can reach 2.1 μm, 23.7 cm, 13.7%, respectively, when the deposition thickness is 5 μm. It is anticipated that the modification and the corresponding detection methods developed in this study can foster innovative product development, standardize the TTRB industry, and contribute to the advancement of table tennis.