Why Did Mizuno Send Me A Chunk of Boron?

I love a good media kit as much as the next guy. More often than not you get some really cool gear wrapped up in some really clever, well-executed, and often massively over-sized packaging.

And sometimes, well…you get  a snip from a billet of boron.

Seriously. That just happened.

As part of their 2015 product plan, Mizuno Golf is kicking off this really odd #AStarIsBoron (a play on A Star Is Born for those of you who missed that) campaign, and so I got mailed a very interesting little paperweight.

What’s the Deal with Boron?

I’m going to come clean with you guys right now. I am not a metallurgist. I have absolute zero formal (or informal for that matter) training in anything remotely metallurgical. My point in sharing that with you is so that you understand that I have absolutely no idea what Boron is generally used for or how Mizuno might be planning to use it.

Thank god for the interwebs.

I’ve done some quick research (so you don’t have to), and here’s what I’ve learned about Boron and how it’s sometimes used:

• It’s found in meteorites
• In pyrotechnics it makes things green
• It’s found in Boric Acid
• and in Borax
• It’s used in the production of fiberglass insulation
• and rocket fuel
• It’s also found in the enamels coverings of steel appliances

Hmm…while it might be cool, it seems unlike that Mizuno’s next driver will have Rocket Fuel in it (insert your own TaylorMade joke here). And while we have seen black Boron finishes lately (Miura), it’s equally as unlikely that Mizuno would send me a chunk of Boron just to promote a new iron finish.

I got nuthin’…

Well, there is this:

Boron filaments are popular in the aerospace industry because of their high strength-to-weigh ratio.

Given what we know about club design and the importance of mass and saving and reallocating weight, I’m thinking that last one has the best shot at being relevant, but honestly, that’s just a guess.

Let’s Hear It

What do you guys think? Why would Mizuno be trying to promote boron? How will Boron be used in Mizuno’s 2015 product line?

Why do you think Mizuno’s #AStarIsBoron is all about?