Depending on the manufacturer and the type of plastic or resin used, pool balls can have a wide range of designs and colors. Having a quality ball can make all the difference when playing pool, and is also important for achieving professional skills. You can count on your quality balls to last a long time.
The first pool ball was made of wood. Manufacturers sought out alternatives to make high-quality pool balls as the game developed. In the 17th century, pool balls were made of ivory, which was popular because it was sturdy and smooth. It was also a relatively inexpensive material to make. The population of elephants declined in the 19th century. Manufacturers sought other options.
Leo Baekeland, an American chemicalist, created bakelite in 1907. In the 1920s, bakelite was popular as a choice for pool balls. Bakelite was much more stable and less flammable than celluloid. It was also simple to make and did NOT explode. While it is a type plastic, it is not as strong as today's resin. It is thermosetting and cannot be melted.
The next type of pool ball to be created was a plastic that is a mixture of nitrocellulose and alcohol. This material is still being used today and is known by the phenolic-resin. Phenolic resin is also used for circuit boards. This resin is strong and durable, making it a popular material for making pool balls. The resin is used to create pool balls in a way similar to bakelite.
Another plastic that is used for pool balls is polyester. Polyester is less expensive than phenolic resin. However, polyester does not keep its shine as long as the phenolic. In addition, polyester is not very durable. Polyester pool balls can be more easily worn. They also tend to wear out faster than phenolic resin balls.
Saluc, a Belgian company that manufactured pool balls, started production in 1923. Saluc is best known for Aramith, a company that makes pure phenolic-resin balls. Aramith balls use a combination of bakelite and pure phenolic resin. A thermosetting plastic, Phenolic resin, is often very durable. It can last for up to 40 years. It can also serve as a volleyball ball holder, which is durable and can withstand upto 450,000 impacts.
Apart from the above, pool balls can also be made with other types plastic. For instance, polyester pool balls are inexpensive, but are not as strong as phenolic resin balls. Furthermore, polyester pool balls don't last as well as phenolic-resin pool balls. However, they can be purchased at a low cost and are durable enough for beginners. The best pool balls for tournaments are made of phenolic resin, but they can be expensive.