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Polyfibre

Poly Hightec 18

Polyester Gauge 18 1.10 mm In production

Lab measurements for Polyfibre Poly Hightec 18, ranked against all 789 strings in the database. Every figure below is a testing-machine result at a fixed reference tension, not a playtest opinion.

Measured values

Stiffness

150lb/in

lower = softer, kinder on the arm

Tension loss

61%

lower = stays where you strung it

Energy return

81%

higher = livelier, more free power

Spin potential

3.9

higher = more spin off the string bed

Ball bite

0.435COF

higher = grabs the ball harder

Snapback

0.112COF

lower = strings slide and snap back

How it ranks against all 789 strings

Stiffness 150 lb/in · 13th pct

Stiffer than 13% of strings tested.

Tension loss 61 % · 97th pct

Sheds more tension than 97% of strings tested — goes dead fast, expect frequent restringing.

Energy return 81 % · 5th pct

Livelier than 5% of strings tested — very muted and low-powered.

Spin potential 3.9 · 27th pct

More spin potential than 27% of strings tested.

Ball bite 0.435 COF · 48th pct

Grips the ball harder than 48% of strings tested.

Snapback 0.112 COF · 78th pct

More string-on-string friction than 78% of strings tested.

Strings that play like this

Closest matches across stiffness, tension loss, energy return and spin potential.

Polyfibre Cobra 17/1.20 96% match Polyfibre Hightec Premium 17 95% match Polyfibre Poly Hightec 17 95% match Polyfibre Viper 17/1.20 95% match Polyfibre TCS 17 93% match Topspin Cyber Flash 17 93% match

More from Polyfibre

What these numbers mean

Stiffness · lb/in

How much the string bed resists deflection. Higher plays firmer and more controlled; lower plays softer and easier on the arm.

Tension loss · %

Share of the reference tension the string sheds under a fixed test protocol. Lower means the bed stays where you strung it for longer.

Energy return · %

Share of impact energy handed back to the ball. Higher plays livelier and more powerful.

Spin potential

Ball friction divided by string-on-string friction. Higher means better bite with a cleaner snapback, so more spin.

Ball bite · COF

String-on-ball friction. Higher grabs the ball harder through the brush.

Snapback · COF

String-on-string friction. Lower lets the mains slide and snap back into place after impact.

Compare Poly Hightec 18 against 789 strings Find the right string for me