An alloy is a composite material formed by combining a base metal with other elements to enhance its properties, such as strength, corrosion resistance, heat tolerance, or flexibility. The process of alloying involves blending these elements using a precise formula to produce a material with tailored characteristics, suitable for a range of applications including military, aerospace, and sporting goods. 

In alloy development, metallurgical engineers concentrate on achieving an optimal balance of strength and integrity, prioritizing these factors over cost considerations. Their objective is to produce materials that consistently perform under stress, extreme temperatures, or challenging environments. Each element is precisely portioned to fulfill a specific purpose and function. The process also involves rigorous testing to ensure the alloy meets mechanical, safety, and environmental standards.

Once developed, alloys must undergo a formal approval process to comply with industry standards. Regulatory organizations such as ASTM, ISO, or the FAA certify alloys, particularly for critical applications in aerospace, medical devices, or military sectors. This approval process involves extensive testing by these agencies to ensure the alloy's safety, durability, and reliability before it is used in high-performance, safety-critical applications. The costs associated with research, testing, and obtaining regulatory approval for a newly developed alloy typically run into the millions of dollars.

The series numbers of alloys, such as 7075, are typically assigned by organizations like the ASTM International, or other similar regulatory bodies. These numbers are part of standardized classification systems for various alloys, which help categorize them based on their composition and intended properties.

THE MOST COMMON METAL ALLOYS USED IN LACROSSE

The metal alloys chosen for lacrosse handle manufacturing are selected for their strength, weight, and durability, as players require a stick that is both lightweight and capable of withstanding rigorous physical play, as well as extreme weather and temperature conditions. Additionally, and no less important, cost to the end user is an important factor in the selection process.

These are the alloys commonly used in lacrosse shaft manufacturing:

6000 Series (e.g. 6061): This is one of the most common alloys used for basic lacrosse shafts. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and offers good strength and durability. It’s often used in entry-level sticks, generally not strong enough for mid-level and above players.

7000 Series: (e.g. 7075): 7000 series alloy is far stronger and more durable than 6000 series, with 7075 incorporating titanium as a reinforcing agent, and is commonly found in high-performance lacrosse shafts. Its superior strength-to-weight ratio makes it the material of choice for shafts designed for elite players. 7075 alloy has become an industry standard in lacrosse, used by all major lacrosse brands.

Scandium-Titanium: This alloy incorporates both scandium and titanium, enhancing strength, durability, and resistance to fatigue. While the cost is higher due to the premium materials, the combination of these elements makes it ideal for high-performance lacrosse shafts, offering an exceptional balance of strength and weight, and ensuring long-lasting performance under intense conditions.

8000 Series: Although only occasionally seen in lacrosse equipment, these alloys are primarily used in packaging, electrical, and marine applications due to their corrosion resistance. They are generally not suitable for performance-driven sports equipment like lacrosse sticks, where optimizing strength-to-weight ratios is critical. Their inclusion in lacrosse gear appears to be largely a promotional strategy, designed to create the impression that the alloy is superior simply because its numerical designation is higher, which is incorrect and misleading.

The 9000 series in alloys is often considered a "catch-all" category. It doesn't have a specific, standardized composition or application like other series (such as the 2000, 6000, or 7000 series). Instead, the 9000 series is used to classify alloys that don't fit into the more defined categories, and they can have a variety of alloying elements and properties. Like the 8000 series, the inclusion of 9000 series in lacrosse gear appears to be largely a promotional strategy, designed to create the impression that the alloy is superior simply because of a higher numerical value.

ALLOYS USED BY SAVAGE X LACROSSE

7075 Titanium-Reinforced Alloy (UNS A97075 7075)

7075 alloy is popular in lacrosse because of its exceptional strength and durability. It is one of the strongest alloys available, and when properly heat-treated (typically T6 temper), it can achieve tensile strengths of up to 83,000 psi.

This combination of high strength, light weight, and resistance to stress cracking makes it ideal for aerospace, military, and high-performance engineering and sports applications, where materials need to perform under extreme conditions.

Titanium contributes to the alloy’s superior strength-to-weight ratio by enhancing its structural integrity while keeping the material lightweight. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in improving fatigue resistance and impact strength, which are vital for materials subjected to repetitive stress and extreme conditions. The inclusion of titanium ensures that 7075 remains not only strong but also resilient, able to withstand wear and tear better than many other alloys, even under the most demanding environments.

The 7075 alloy was developed in 1943 by William L. L. (Bill) White at the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA). It was specifically designed during World War II to meet the demand for stronger materials needed for aircraft construction. The alloy's combination of high strength and light weight made it ideal for military applications, particularly for building aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator.

Following the war, 7075 became a go-to material for military aircraft and weapons systems, including the construction of high-performance fighters, bombers, and helicopters. Its high strength and resistance to corrosion were crucial for aircraft exposed to extreme operating conditions, including high-speed flight and harsh weather.

As the commercial aviation industry grew, 7075 found use in civilian aircraft as well, especially in aircraft wings, fuselages, and structural components. Its lightweight nature helped improve fuel efficiency, making it ideal for commercial aviation needs during the post-war boom.

After its success in aerospace, the material found its way into civilian industries due to its versatility, particularly in applications where both strength and weight were paramount. This includes high-performance sports equipment, such as lacrosse sticks, bicycles, and golf clubs, where the combination of strength and lightness is crucial for performance.

While 7075 is more commonly associated with aerospace and sports equipment, it has also been used in marine applications, particularly in high-performance boats and offshore structures that need materials that can handle both high stress and harsh environments. In the automotive industry, 7075 is sometimes used in racing car components where weight reduction and strength are critical, such as chassis parts and engine components.

Scandium Titanium Alloy

Scandium was discovered in 1879 by Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson. He isolated it from the mineral euxenite, a rare earth mineral that contains several other elements, including yttrium and tantalum. Nilson was the first to identify scandium as a new element while studying the mineral in Lund, Sweden.

At the time of its discovery, scandium was thought to be a rare, exotic element due to its scarcity in the Earth's crust. Nilson named the element after Scandinavia, reflecting his pride in his homeland. Despite its initial discovery, scandium remained relatively underused for many years due to its rarity and the difficulty of isolating it in pure form. 

It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s, with advances in extraction and refining methods, that scandium began to find more practical uses, especially in alloys for aerospace and military applications. Today, scandium is valued for its ability to significantly improve the properties of alloys, particularly in the aerospace, sports, and industrial sectors. Scandium is Element 21 on the Periodic Table of Elements. 

When scandium is alloyed with a base metal, it creates a strong, lightweight material with exceptional strength-to-weight ratios while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance. Scandium plays a key role in refining the grain structure, enhancing the toughness and resilience of the alloy, especially under high stress or fatigue conditions. Even small amounts of scandium can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the material without notably increasing its weight.

Savage X Lacrosse uses scandium-titanium alloy in shaft manufacturing to deliver superior performance, combining the best qualities of both metals. This combination results in a high-performance shaft that can withstand intense physical play and harsh environmental conditions without compromising on weight or strength. The scandium-titanium alloy used by Savage X Lacrosse is of the highest quality, ensuring optimal toughness, responsiveness, and reliability for elite players. While this premium material increases the cost, it provides unmatched performance and longevity, making it an ideal choice for serious athletes seeking the best in durability and power.