Carbon is just one of seven ITTF-approved composite materials. ALC, ZLC, glass fibre, Kevlar, and TeXtreme all behave differently. Here is what each one actually does.
# Module 5 — Carbon Technology: Not All Fibres Are Equal
The word "carbon" on a blade's marketing tells you almost nothing.
The important questions are: *which composite material*, and *where is it placed*?
## ITTF-Approved Composite Materials
*(Source: Wikipedia citing ITTF Laws, Greg Letts Megaspin.net; cross-validated
against Revspin.net community reviews)*
| Material | Brand Name | Profile vs. All-Wood |
|----------|-----------|----------------------|
| **Carbon fibre** | Generic | Stiffest, fastest, highest Hz, smallest sweet spot |
| **Arylate (pure)** | Butterfly "A-" | Dampens vibration, larger sweet spot, softer than carbon |
| **Arylate-Carbon hybrid** | Butterfly "ALC" | Balance: stiffer than wood, softer than pure carbon, enlarged sweet spot |
| **Zylon** | Butterfly "ZLC" | Largest sweet spot in Butterfly's composite range; very fast; stiffer than ALC |
| **Glass fibre** | Various | Moderate stiffness increase; less dwell reduction than carbon; beginner-friendly composites |
| **TeXtreme (Spread Tow Carbon)** | Stiga "Carbonado" | Angle-dependent: 45° = torsional flex; 90° = flexural; directional control |
| **Kevlar/Aramid** | Donic "Carbokev" | Vibration dampening; softer feel than standard carbon |
> Greg Letts (ITTF-certified coach): *"Aralyte is meant to also increase the
> size of the sweet spot, but is supposed to dampen vibration and give a softer
> feel than carbon."*
## Position Matters as Much as Material
**Outer placement (e.g. Butterfly Viscaria — Koto/ALC outer):**
Every contact engages the composite. Consistent response at all power levels.
Smaller sweet spot compared to inner placement. Direct, stiff feel.
**Inner placement (e.g. Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC):**
The two outer wood plies are what you feel first. The composite activates
only at higher power — this is the "threshold" or "gear-change" behaviour.
The sweet spot is larger because the outer wood absorbs off-centre contacts.
## Stiga TeXtreme Explained
Stiga's Carbonado uses carbon in a spread-tow weave (TeXtreme). At 45° the
carbon controls *torsional* flex (twisting). At 90° it controls *flexural* flex
(bending). These are different mechanical modes — the blade responds differently
to sidespin vs. topspin strokes. This is patented technology not replicated
by other manufacturers.
## Choosing a Composite
- **First composite blade?** → Inner composite (ALC or glass fibre inner) — retains wood feel
- **Want maximum sweet spot?** → ZLC (outer placement paradoxically has smaller sweet spot; inner ZLC is the sweet-spot king)
- **Feel matters more than speed?** → Arylate-Carbon (ALC) > pure carbon
- **Vibration sensitivity?** → Kevlar/Aramid composites dampen feedback
- **Chinese style / tacky rubber?** → Softer blade recommended to complement hard sponge