ALC vs KLC vs Aromatic

[John_]

What's the difference between these 3? I've seen some of them being used interchangeably by Chinese sellers on AliExpress.

 

[SofaChamp]

Alc: we copied Butterfly's composition description
KLC: we didn't copy Butterfly's composition description
Aromatic: we messed up on Google translate

 

[John_]

Alc: we copied Butterfly's composition description
KLC: we didn't copy Butterfly's composition description
Aromatic: we messed up on Google translate

So all are same material?

 

[Creek]

They are quite similar with little differences. Much less differences than eg alc vs zlc

 

[SofaChamp]

So all are same material?

No idea 😋

 

[Silver Server]

Bumping this. Which is softer and less stiff between ALC & KLC? Is one less bouncy and offer better control than the other or are they more the same?

 

[TensorBackhand]

Bumping this. Which is softer and less stiff between ALC & KLC? Is one less bouncy and offer better control than the other or are they more the same?

I think KLC is softer than ALC, but very slightly where few people would notice the difference.
It seems ZLC has a bigger difference vs ALC

I just ordered the KLC Pro 05 and the ALC W81...so I can test my theory in a few weeks

 

[zeio]

The A in ALC = Arylate/Vectran
The K in KLC = Kevlar

Both Vectran and Kevlar are made from LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymers).

Polyarylate, wholly aromatic polyester (Vectran, Zxion)

Aramid, wholly aromatic polyamides
- Para-Aramid (Technora, Twaron, Kevlar)
- Meta-Aramid (Conex)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B0080429939000449
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128035818103030

Wholly aromatic polyamides are often called “aramids” not only for abbreviation, but also to distinguish them from conventional aliphatic polyamides, such as nylon.

https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/.../documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

Kevlar® is an organic fiber in the aromatic polyamide family.
The unique properties and distinct chemical composition of wholly
aromatic polyamides (aramids) distinguish them—and especially
Kevlar®—from other commercial, man-made fibers.

 

[Grumms]

I think KLC is softer than ALC, but very slightly where few people would notice the difference.
It seems ZLC has a bigger difference vs ALC

I just ordered the KLC Pro 05 and the ALC W81...so I can test my theory in a few weeks

I thought you ordered the 03 !

 

[TensorBackhand]

I thought you ordered the 03 !

I ordered both, 03 and 05. Both were under $40...so quite remarkably cheap

 

[TensorBackhand]

The A in ALC = Arylate/Vectran
The K in KLC = Kevlar

Both Vectran and Kevlar are made from LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymers).

Polyarylate, wholly aromatic polyester (Vectran, Zxion)

Aramid, wholly aromatic polyamides
- Para-Aramid (Technora, Twaron, Kevlar)
- Meta-Aramid (Conex)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B0080429939000449
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128035818103030


https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/.../documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

So is there a actual difference in performance between ALC, KLC, and Aromatic Fibre?

 

[zeio]

Aromatic fiber is simply a direct translation of the term 芳基纖維.

For table tennis, Vectran and Kevlar are mostly different in vibration damping and shock absorption. Other than that, they aren't that far apart.

Vectran
https://www.kuraray.co.jp/vectran/en/tokutyou/index.html (see 1. Basic physical properties and 9. Other merits)
Kevlar
https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/.../documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

For future reference
中国特許情報の異表記・誤訳 用語編（その５） ・・繊維編①
http://patentsearch.punyu.jp/asia/Word5.pdf
中国特許情報の異表記・誤訳 用語編（その６） ・・繊維編②
http://patentsearch.punyu.jp/asia/Word6.pdf

 

[JackJohnson]

Aromatic fiber is simply a direct translation of the term 芳基纖維.

For table tennis, Vectran and Kevlar are mostly different in vibration damping and shock absorption. Other than that, they aren't that far apart.

Vectran
https://www.kuraray.co.jp/vectran/en/tokutyou/index.html (see 1. Basic physical properties and 9. Other merits)
Kevlar
https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/.../documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

For future reference
中国特許情報の異表記・誤訳 用語編（その５） ・・繊維編①
http://patentsearch.punyu.jp/asia/Word5.pdf
中国特許情報の異表記・誤訳 用語編（その６） ・・繊維編②
http://patentsearch.punyu.jp/asia/Word6.pdf

I just found this on AliExpress: US $99.45 | LOKI Arthur W81 Inner Table Tennis Blade Brand New 5+2 Aromatic Carbon Ping Pong Blade Professional Base Board with Original Box

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqsXGkF

So what type of carbon would this blade be using. On the front of the blade it says Aramid Carbon but then the other pictures showing the composition of the blade says Aromatic Carbon Fiber.

So is this Aromatic/Arylate Carbon or Aramid Carbon

 

[Grumms]

No, Aromatic is used for the same thing than Aramid : KLC. The w81 inner is not Arylate. Loki is pretty clear about that : https://flbook.com.cn/c/VubLi8CH4p

 

[Doralikesmath]

I ordered both, 03 and 05. Both were under $40...so quite remarkably cheap

I was in the same boat, trying every cheap inner carbon blades possible. Just get a Jinshi KLC (Pro) and be done with it, my man, lol.

 

[lodro]

No, Aromatic is used for the same thing than Aramid : KLC. The w81 inner is not Arylate. Loki is pretty clear about that : https://flbook.com.cn/c/VubLi8CH4p

whatever Loki is clear about , surprises even Loki 😫

 

[lodro]

I just found this on AliExpress: US $99.45 | LOKI Arthur W81 Inner Table Tennis Blade Brand New

WOW. when i pressed the link to Ali i can buy it for
NZ$86.27
49% off

 

[zeio]

I just found this on AliExpress: US $99.45 | LOKI Arthur W81 Inner Table Tennis Blade Brand New 5+2 Aromatic Carbon Ping Pong Blade Professional Base Board with Original Box

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqsXGkF

So what type of carbon would this blade be using. On the front of the blade it says Aramid Carbon but then the other pictures showing the composition of the blade says Aromatic Carbon Fiber.

So is this Aromatic/Arylate Carbon or Aramid Carbon

Aromatic fiber is a generic term for wholly aromatic polyesters. By extension, aromatic carbon is a direct translation of 芳碳, so it can refer to Vectran carbon or aramid carbon. If it says aramid, you can ignore aromatic.

The only problem is on the official site where aramid carbon is used in the description, but "ARYL FIBER" is seen in the image below it.
http://www.lokisport.com/pro_55564273.html

 

[Tyce]

There are so many translations here that you can't even trust the text.
Couple of great theoretical descriptions about different properties in this thread, but at the end of the day you don't even know if you get an inner or outer fiber W81 when you buy one.

So I guess the proof is in the pudding as to how a blade plays: it plays... how it plays.


The difference in properties between Kevlar, Arylate and other aromatic fibers aren't that big when you compare it to Zylon. And there's plenty of people who hardly feel the difference between ALC and ZLC, or at least keep debating about which one is faster. It's pretty safe to assume ALC, KLC and Aromatic are similar as long as the rest of the blade, glue included, is similar.

 

[Leno]

ALC = Blue
KLC = Yellow

Other info I just trust the members here 🤣