too much heat on graphite shaft?

I applied too much heat while extracting a graphite shaft and noticed that the tip of the shaft had softened and was bending very easily. After the shaft cooled, it returned to what seemed like normal stiffiness and consistency.

Is this shaft still ok to use? Did I weaken the tip by doing this? Is it safe?

thanks for your input.

Depends if you separated the fibres David, by twisting on removal?


However, if it was bending like you said, chances are its strength properties have been diminished somewhat

The tip of the shaft will not be any good. You might get 4 or 5 - maybe even 10 rounds in, but it will break. If it has been heated high enough to soften the shaft and it was bending, it's only a matter of time before the tip breaks off. The rest of the shaft should be fine, so if it's a driver shaft, if you tip it 1" you can use it as a 5W shaft or 1.5" for a 7W. Only tipping it .5" for a 3W shaft probably won't result in removing enough of the weakened portion to ensure the tip will be strong enough to keep from breaking.

__________________
Gord

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