Unequal® Technology
- 1st Layer: Elastomer - absorbs and converts
- 2nd Layer: Aramid- blocks and redirects
- 3rd Later: Elastomer - compliancy & comfort
The Unequal® w/ Kevlar® Composite Technology
UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® is the patented, unique, multilayer composite technology that is incorporated into its proprietary patented construction:
- First Layer: Consists of a shock absorbing, medium durometer elastomer. It is a tough layer that exhibits high shockwave and vibrational energy suppression and buffering capabilities.
- Second Layer: Consists of high tensile strength aramid (Kevlar®) fibers. This fiber layer stabilizes the product, disperses and blocks the shockwave energy. Aramid is five (5) times stronger than steel and the top vibration absorbing material in the world.
- Third Layer: Consists of a soft energy absorbing, low durometer elastomer. This is the top layer that comfortably conforms and cushions the body, hand, or foot.
When vibrational energy waves enter and travels through UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® composite its intensity or energy level dissipates with:
- Energy Suppression: Suppression is the conversion of the shockwave and soundwave energy to other forms of energy.
- Diffusion and Scattering of the energy wave: This is the transmission and reflection of the vibrational waves in directions other than its original direction of propagation. Energy is reduced by the physical spreading of the wave.
The combined effect of the suppression and the scattering is called attenuation. Attenuation is the decay rate or decrease of the energy of the wave as it propagates through the composite material.
The UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® multi-layer composite, although very simple in construction, is extremely complex in its capability to attenuate large amounts of vibrational, sound and impact energies. It uses several different methods of dissipation and absorption, simultaneously, to handle tremendous amounts of vibrational, sound, and impact energies.
Vibrational energy waves will undergo multiple behaviors when traveling through the multi-layer composite. The possible behaviors include: reflection, dispersion, diffraction, transmission, refraction, friction and wave interaction.
Most of the vibrational energy will be suppressed. Hysteretic damping is the primary energy dissipation method encountered in the composite. Hysteretic damping simply put is the dissipation of vibrational energy by conversion of the mechanical wave energy into thermal energy (heat). This is accomplished by the yielding or elastomer straining of the molecules of the material. This type of damping is also called material damping, because the material absorbs the energy during wave propagation.
The main advantage of the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® composite over other damping materials is its multi-layer composite structure and the high tensile strength fiber layer (Kevlar®). This layer adds many different avenues of energy dissipation and absorption not seen in other damping systems.
The high tensile strength fiber layer of the composite allows for an unusual type of damping (reduction in energy per unit volume) to occur. Within the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® composite the energy of the impact and vibrational waves are spread over a large area and redirects quickly. This type of damping is usually referred as mechanical radiation damping. This type of damping is unique and is what makes UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® different and very efficient at energy dissipation. A great example of this is the new UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® Ultra-Lite Insole technology that reduces the weight to a very acceptable 1.5 oz (approximately) while still delivering the same unique energy dissipating capabilities of the regular UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® insoles.
This mechanical radiation damping accurse, when the mechanical wave energy is dispersed and transmitted through the high tensile strength fiber layer. The aramid has the unique ability to radiate or quickly carry the vibrational energy waves away from the point of entry. The Company believes that a reduction in vibration and harmful shock waves caused by impact, such as striking a baseball with a bat, will create the additional benefits of simultaneously increasing athletic control, balance and performance.
Technology Validation
Some of the Company’s testing of the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® was conducted at Villanova University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering by Dr. C. Nataraj. He holds a PhD in Vibratory Physics and is the Dean of the Mechanical School of Engineering at Villanova University.
In 2007, Drexel University and the Rothman Institute (Orthopedic Surgeons for Pro sports teams), tested the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® Athletic Tape against standard Johnson & Johnson athletic tape. The tests measured the degradation and stretch levels of the tape over time and the support the tape provides the athletes over usage. The Report concluded that the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® Tape performed approximately 3X superior to popular.
In 2007, Villanova University tested the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® golf grips versus typical golf grips. They completed their evaluation and concluded that the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grip reduced the magnitude of vibration up to 90% more than the typical golf grip. The summary report is available upon request.
In 2006, Villanova University tested the Bosch Tools grips on a 13 amp reciprocal saw against the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grips on an identical saw. They completed their evaluation and concluded that the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grip reduced the magnitude of vibration by approximately 66% more than the Bosch grips. The summary report on the testing is available upon request.
In 2006, Villanova University tested the Ames True Temper grip against the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grip. They completed their evaluation and concluded that the magnitude of vibration was reduced by approximately 95% in the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grip as compared with the best Ames’ grip. The summary report is available upon request.
In 2001, Villanova University tested the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® composite and concluded that the magnitude of vibration was reduced by approximately 80% on a baseball bat with a UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® grip as compared with standard grips. There is a summary report on the testing available upon request.
In 2001, Villanova University tested the coefficient of friction (“COF”), for the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® as compared to other rubbers. They concluded that the UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® was 1.00 as compared to typical rubber with a 1.03 COF. There is a summary letter available upon request.
Numerous other companies and organizations have tested and/or evaluated UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar® including: Rawlings, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Ames True Temper, Worth Inc., US Army, Brass Eagle LLC, , USGA, QVC, magazines, team trainers, and various professionals. In addition, Medical professionals such as Dr. Arthur Bartolozzi, an Orthopedic Surgeon, and Dr. Lee Cohen, a Board Certified Podiatrist, who were formally the team doctors for several Philadelphia professional sports teams, as well as many local universities have also worked with or evaluated UNEQUAL® w/ Kevlar®.