Two-layer topsheet. Is it legitimate?

[igorponger]

Two-layer topsheet. Is it legitimate?

Not at all. Production of the "sandwich topsheets" is now discontinued as a result of ITTF reiterated warning. Nevertheless, a decent number of the products still remain on market. Get alert.

 

[igorponger]

ITTF rejected coated topsheets long moons ago. ITTF M4 document states as follows:

2.4 APPEARANCE

The rubber surface of the racket coverings shall be
⚫ uniform
⚫ without coating
⚫ matt

 

[zeio]

Here are the original threads from which the pictures were taken.
http://mytabletennis.net/forum/strange-topsheet-damage_topic75949.html
http://mytabletennis.net/forum/foru...itle=the-birth-of-modern-table-tennis#1003858

Over the years, all the tacky rubbers from DHS and 729 (and all the brands that are derivatives of 天津系/Tianjin lineage such as Friendship 729, Globe 999, 長興999/Changxing 999, Xushaofa 999...) I've come across had never de-laminated like those from Yinhe/Milkway.

 

[igorponger]

HISTORICAL RETROSPECTION.

TIBHAR was the first to start a complex sponge on market back in 1993, the rubber brand of SUPRA. Banned in a short while afterwards.

The KTL Golden Star rubber (launched on market in 2011) has always been contending to be a monolayer structure. Banned a bit later as well.
Perhaps ITTF got tired through making explanations of the Racket Rules repeatedly, so they introduced a specific rule to the ITTF M4 document. 🤓

The 729 Battle Taichi seems an another endeavour to get around the Law. May it be a happy trial 🤗🤓😜.

 

[Leno]

Mark my words, double layered pips/pimples are coming next

 

[Tinykin]

SANDWICH RUBBER
More than one layer of cellular rubber (sponge) is not permitted, even if the layers are of the same composition.

Taken from:
3May2024_15_55_58_0.8724043071055312_M4 RACKET COVERING MANUAL March 2024.pdf

 

[zeio]

ITTF rejected coated topsheets long moons ago. ITTF M4 document states as follows:

The problem is not the coating. It was added to the Technical Leaflet T4 (known as "M4: Racket Coverings" now) at a much later date (see Technical Leaflet T4 from 1/1998) after Tempest, a grippy rubber whose topsheet was composed of 2 layers (see 2nd link in my previous post for those interested) and tacky rubbers first appeared.

The issue is in the interpretation of "The Laws of Table Tennis", specifically "The Racket" (see quotes below). As with factory vs aftermarket boosting, they don't want players to glue up 2 or more layers of topsheet and/or sponge.

Statutes 2024
https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/2024_ITTF_Statutes_clean_version.pdf

2 THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS

...

2.4 THE RACKET

...

2.4.3.2 Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single
outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled
rubber not being more than 2.0mm.

Handbook 1967
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll23/id/748/rec/1

4. THE RACKET
4.1. The racket may be of any size, shape, or weight. Its surface shall be dark coloured and matt. The blade shall be of wood, continuous, of even thickness, flat and rigid. If the blade is covered on either side, this covering may be either—
4.1.1. of plain, ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outward, of a total thickness of not more than 2 mm.; or—
4.1.2. of “sandwich”, consisting of a layer of cellular rubber surfaced by plain ordinary pimpled rubber—turned outwards or inwards—in which case the total thickness of covering of either side shall not be more than 4 mm.

...

4.5.
Specification: Pimpled Rubber
A single covering with pimples evenly distributed not fewer than 10 nor more than 50 to the square centimetre (65-325 to the square inch) on rubber which, whether natural or synthetic, is non-cellular, and of which the total thickness includes the height of the pimples and adhesive.

Handbook 1975
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll23/id/818/rec/2

3.4. THE RACKET

...

3.4.3. The visible surface of each side of the blade, whether used for striking the ball or not, shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt; any trimming or binding round the edge of the blade need not be of the same colour as either side, but shall not be white, yellow or brightly reflecting.
3.4.4. A side of the blade used for striking the ball may be:
3.4.4.1. uncovered, in which case the wood, if not naturally dark, shall be darkened in such· a way /as not to alter the frictional characteristics of the surface—for example', by staining and not painting—or:
3.4.4.2. covered over the whole of the striking surface with a layer of plain, ordinary, pimpled rubber, pimples outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2mm or:
3.4.4.3. covered over the whole of the striking surface with “sandwich” rubber, consisting of a layer of cellular rubber surfaced with plain, ordinary, pimpled rubber, pimples inwards or outwards, having a. total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4mm.

...

Specifications
3.4.6. “Pimpled rubber” is a layer of non-cellular rubber, either natural or- synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10/sq cm and not more than 50/sq cm.
3.4.7. A “uniform” colour is one which is basically the same over the whole of a single surface; minor variations of shade, such as those due to fading or wear, may be ignored.
30

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

igor is going to call a ban on all rubbers, period

 

[Reaper]

I bought Skyline 3-60 when it came out in TT11. i noticed It had 2 rubber layers after scratching it against the table. I sold it because it the sticky top kept peeling off, anyone noticed the same?

 

[NetProphet]

Two-layer topsheet. Is it legitimate?

Not at all. Production of the "sandwich topsheets" is now discontinued as a result of ITTF reiterated warning. Nevertheless, a decent number of the products still remain on market. Get alert.

View attachment 30877
View attachment 30876

Yes, this rubber is used by all top professionals, strip all the titles now!!