In billiard games, pool balls are used. Although made of many different materials they are often made from phenolic. Phenolic resin is a mixture of formaldehyde and phenol. These two compounds can be trusted for their strength and resistance to scratches. The mixture can withstand high temperatures. When exposed to the sun, the resin will begin to fade and yellow.
Wood was the first material used to make pool balls. These balls were tough, but they crack with age. Leo Baekeland, a 19th-century chemist, created a new plastic material that wasn't flammable. This material was soon called bakelite and it quickly replaced wood in the production of pool balls.
It was expensive to create pool balls. It took a long time to develop 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.
Other inventors started to experiment with chemical substances to make pool ball after the first bakelite version was created. These innovations are considered to be pioneering in the field of synthetic plastics.
Although phenolic resin is an excellent option for pool balls however, its price is much higher than that of 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 is not as durable as phenolic.
Manufacturing a phenolic resin balls takes 23 days. Each step is carefully examined to ensure that there are no impurities. The phenolic resin balls can also be stored at lower temperatures than the polyester balls. Consequently, they are also more durable and last for longer periods of time.
Aramith is one of the largest manufacturers of phenolic resin pool balls. Their phenolic balls last for 40 years and are very durable. They are also significantly less expensive than the polyester balls. If you are looking for a higher-quality set of balls, the Aramith Premier includes superior resin technology.
Iszy is another pool ball manufacturer that uses both phenolic resin and polyester resin. These pool balls may be cheaper than phenolic ball, but they won't hold their shine for nearly as long. Polyester balls can also fade faster and leave burn marks on the table. These balls are still good for beginners.
Predator Arcos is another manufacturer that uses a proprietary chemical to make phenolic resin balls. These balls are also more dense because they have been through-hardened. For those who want to spend less, they can choose the Iszy marble swirl set.
Many companies attempt to reproduce the ivory billiard balls experience. However, the ivory material has been discontinued. Modern pool balls are made of phenolic and formaldehyde. The market currently has 85% phenolic pool balls.