Can anyone explain what blank makers mean when they say that 24 tonnage or 30 tonnage of graphite cloth was used in building the blanks? How does that apply to modulus? Thanks Angelo

I wish I could help you out Angelo, but that makes no sense to me and I use and purchase these raw materials weekly. I have heard of people use the (TON) verbage, in terms of rolling pressure that is applied when rolling the prepreg on the mandrels, but I don't go along with that either. Personally whenever I see these claims, it alarms me of who is making it and why. To put in perspective, think of it this way. The prepreg (graphite) material that we purchase is produce in the weight of (gsm or grams/sq. meter). Blank manufacturers range this weight from 115 - 130gsm for graphite prepreg on average. That is a far cry from 2000lbs or (1) ton. If you figure it out, please let me know. I am curious.

Take Care

Thanks Jason. Anyone else out there have answers?

I suspect what they are saying is that they use 30 million modulus fiber, or 50 million modulus fiber or something to that effect. That would relate roughly to the stiffness-to-weight ratio of the material.

I have never heard the term "tonnage" used to describe any fiber or manufacturing technique.

.............

Maybe that would take care of our spine issues. We could squeeze the spine right out of it!

Had to throw that humor out there! I'm not trying to offend anyone.

Take care guy's

Manufacturers in the far east do rate their graphite by tonnage. I have corresponded with one of these manufacturers and inquired as to what the different tonnage ratings meant. If I understand correctly, 30 Ton graphite is roughly equal to IM6 material. I can email that manufacturer again to clarify this and will let you know.
Wes

Wes, try to find out what exactly they mean by 30 ton graphite, and why they give it that label. It sounds like you have the contact to find this out. Good luck and keep us posted.

Jason,
Here is the reply that I had received a while ago when I tried finding out what they mean:
"We rank graphite fabric from 24ton, 30ton, 36ton,40ton and up.
General graphite rods are made with 24ton fabric, and using higher tons fabric for more stiffness. As you know very well, its from different modulus of tensile strength.
We know the IM6 fabric is quite close and almost same with 30ton fabric, so 30ton fabric made blanks are same as with IM6 blank. The 36ton fabric is a little bit more stiffer than IM8."
I can try to find out more information if anybody interested more on this topic.
Wes

Sounds like they use that wording to denote what we call modulus.

Remember those Fuji blanks. They are also rated in tons. They have only two ratings; 30 ton and 42 ton. And I do remember that 1993 catalog stated taht the 30ton is very similar to IM6. I do still have a steelhead 8;6" rod made with the 42 ton blank. To be frank, I like it more than most. I am not sure 36 Ton is IM8. The 42 Ton I got feel a lot more crisiper than G Loomis's IMX but with the abuse I give it, it sure do not feel like GLX for I have easily broken a few. Too bad the DNY are no where to be seen and I sure like to get my hands on a few. Great price and extremely durable. May be St Croix and get some 42ton graphite and roll us a few!!

Good fishing (catching) <*)))))))><{

I thing William might be right. It sounds like they are using the (TON) term to catagorize the stiffness of certain materials. Much like we do with the modulus term. Interesting!

I visited a far east factory, what Tom Kirkman said is right. 30 ton graphite is 30 million modulus, and so on and so on. This particular factory uses graphite from Korea.

I purchased a Fenwick Silver Hawk spinning rod from Cabela's that boasted 30 ton construction. When I received the rod, the infomation tag hanging from the lower guide described the 30 ton rod as IM10 graphite. I am only further confused. My Abu Garcia Vendetta has a "30 Ton" sicker on it, but the blank could not be moe different from the Fenwick. Neither seems to be at all like rods made with IM6. The mystery continues. The answer has to be out there somewhee.