The manufacturer of the pool ball and the resin used can influence the design and color of the balls. Quality pool balls can make a difference in your game of pool and professional skills. A set of high-quality balls will last a lifetime.
The original pool balls were made of wood. As the game evolved and manufacturers began to look for better options to meet high-quality demand, pool balls became more popular. The first pool balls were made from ivory in the 17th Century. This was because it was durable and smooth. It was also a relatively inexpensive material to make. Unfortunately, the population of elephants began to decline in the late 19th century and manufacturers started looking for alternatives.
Leo Baekeland an American chemist invented bakelite in 1907. During the 1920s, bakelite became a preferred option for pool balls. Bakelite was less volatile and more durable than celluloid. It was also easy to make and did not explode. Although it is a type of plastic, it is not the same as the resin used today. It is a thermosetting plastic that cannot be melted again.
The next pool ball was made from a combination of alcohol and nitrogen. This material is still being used today and is known by the phenolic-resin. Circuit boards are also made of phenolic resin. This resin is strong and durable, making it a popular material for making pool balls. It is used in making pool balls, in a manner similar to bakinglite.
Polyester is another material that can be used to make pool balls. Polyester is much cheaper than phenolic. It doesn't retain its shine for nearly as long, however, as phenolic. Also, polyester isn't very durable. Polyester pool balls are more susceptible to deterioration. In addition, they do not last as long as phenolic resin balls.
In 1923, a Belgian company named Saluc specialized in manufacturing pool balls. Saluc is best known for Aramith, a company that makes pure phenolic-resin balls. Aramith balls are made from a mixture of phenolic and bakelite resin. A thermosetting plastic, Phenolic resin, is often very durable. It can last up to 40 years. It can be used to make volleyball balls. These are strong and can withstand upto 400,000 impacts.
There are many other types of plastics that can be used to make pool balls. Although polyester pool balls can be cheaper, they are not as durable as phenolic rubber balls. Polyester pool balls won't last as long as those made from phenolic resin. These pool balls are still affordable and can last for a long time. They are expensive, but are the best option for tournaments.