PP Honeycomb Core Injected with Foam Overview

Development:

This technology is a direct evolution of the traditional Polypropylene (PP) Honeycomb Core, engineered to address its inherent performance limitations. For years, PP honeycomb has dominated the market due to its light weight, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, intermediate and advanced players began demanding a more solid-feeling paddle with less vibration and better stability, particularly around the edges. To retain the responsive “pop” of the honeycomb structure while enhancing its stability and feel, manufacturers pioneered the process of injecting foam into the core’s empty cells. This innovation first appeared as perimeter foam injection to increase swing weight and stability, but has since evolved to include full-core injection, creating a high-performance hybrid technology that bridges the gap between traditional honeycomb and pure foam cores.

Characteristics:

• Hybrid Feel & Enhanced Solidity: This core masterfully blends the benefits of two technologies. Players experience the signature “pop” and responsiveness of a PP honeycomb core combined with the solid, dampened feel provided by the foam. This eliminates the hollow sensation, resulting in shot feedback that feels substantial and powerful.
• Significantly Increased Stability & Swing Weight: The injected foam adds mass and density to the paddle. When applied to the perimeter, it creates a “Perimeter Weighting System,” which dramatically increases the paddle’s stability against powerful shots, reducing torsional twisting and improving blocks and counter-attacks.
• Expanded Sweet Spot & Higher Forgiveness: The foam filling reinforces the entire paddle face, especially in off-center areas. This means that on mis-hits, there is less power drop-off and less paddle deflection, providing players with more predictable and consistent returns.
• A Balance of Power and Control: Compared to a pure foam core, this hybrid design retains more of the honeycomb’s inherent stiffness and rebound. This allows the paddle to offer exceptional stability without excessively sacrificing the raw power and speed needed for offensive play, striking an ideal balance between a solid feel and powerful output.

Uses:

PP Honeycomb Cores with injected foam are primarily used in mid-to-high-end and competitive-level paddles. This technology is especially suitable for players who find traditional honeycomb paddles too “hollow” or unstable but do not want to fully sacrifice power for a pure control feel. It holds immense appeal for intermediate to advanced players with aggressive playing styles who rely on powerful drives and counter-punches, as it provides the necessary stability to maintain shot quality during high-pace rallies.

Suitable Paddle Types:

• Power Paddles: This is its most common application. The added weight and unparalleled stability make it the top choice for players seeking maximum “plow-through” and devastating power on their shots.
• All-Court Paddles: For players desiring the optimal blend of power, control, and stability, these paddles are an excellent choice. They support strong baseline offense while providing the stability needed for fast-paced exchanges at the net.
• Thermoformed Paddles: Foam injection technology is frequently combined with the thermoforming process. This combination involves heat and pressure to create a unibody construction, which is then foam-filled internally. The result is one of the strongest, most stable, and most powerful paddle constructions available on the market today.