Billiards use pool balls. Although they can be made from many different materials, most pool balls are made from phenolic resin. Phenolic resin is a mixture of formaldehyde and phenol. These two compounds are well known for their durability as well as scratch resistance. The mixture is also extremely resistant to high temperatures. The resin will start to yellow when exposed to the sunlight.
The first pool ball was made from wood. These balls were strong, but they became crackly with age. Leo Baekeland, an engineer and chemist created a new type of plastic that was non-flammable in the 19th century. This material was known as bakelite, and soon replaced wood in making pool balls.
It was expensive to create pool balls. It took a while to create the balls. To see the contents of the balls, you could cut them in half. Ultimately, the balls had to be molded under high pressures.
After the initial version of bakelite was invented, other inventors began to experiment with chemical compounds to make pool balls. These innovations are considered to be pioneering in the field of synthetic plastics.
While phenolic resin is an excellent choice for pool balls, the price is higher than its polyester counterpart. The polyester option is a better choice if you don't want to spend a lot on pool balls. However, the polyester option will not maintain its color for as long as phenolic resin.
The process of manufacturing a phenolic resin ball is a 23-day process. Each step is checked carefully to ensure there are no impurities. Furthermore, phenolic resin balls are more stable than polyester balls and can be kept at lower temperatures. They are more durable, last longer and are thus more long-lasting.
Aramith is one of the largest manufacturers of phenolic resin pool balls. The balls made from phenolic resin are durable and will retain their shine for up 40 years. They are also significantly less expensive than the polyester balls. Aramith Premier offers superior resin technology and is the best option for those looking to upgrade to better quality balls.
Iszy is another manufacturer of pool balls. It uses a mixture of phenolic as well as polyester resin. These pool balls are more affordable than phenolic but they don’t keep their shine as long. Polyester balls are also more likely to fade and create burn spots on your table. These balls are still good for beginners.
Predator Arcos is another manufacturer, using a proprietary chemical compound that creates a variety of phenolic-resin balls. In addition, these balls are through-hardened, so they are more dense. The Iszy marble swirl set is for those who wish to spend less.
Many companies are trying to replicate the ivory-billiard ball experience. However, the ivory material is no longer available. Modern pool balls use a mixture of formaldehyde-phenolic resin. The market currently has 85% phenolic pool balls.