<P> Table tennis uses a table tennis racket made from laminated wood covered with rubber on one or two sides depending on the grip of the player . Unlike a conventional racket, it does not contain strings strung across an open frame . This is called either a paddle, racket, or a bat, with usage differing by region . In the USA the term "paddle" is common, in Europe the term is "bat", and the official ITTF term is "racket ." </P> <P> Table Tennis racket specs are defined at the ITTF handbook section 2.04 and currently include the following . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 01 </Td> <Td> The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 02 </Td> <Td> At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35 mm, whichever is the smaller . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 03 </Td> <Td> A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0 mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0 mm . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 03.01 </Td> <Td> Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per cm and not more than 30 per cm . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 03.02 </Td> <Td> Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0 mm . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 04 </Td> <Td> The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 05 </Td> <Td> The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 06 </Td> <Td> The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on the other . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 07 </Td> <Td> The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 07.01 </Td> <Td> Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 08 </Td> <Td> Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or her racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and the umpire the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them to examine it . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> 2.04. 01 </Td> <Td> The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid . </Td> </Tr>

What is the difference between a squash racket and a tennis racket