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 first pool balls used to be 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. In the 17th century, pool balls were made of ivory, which was popular because it was sturdy and smooth. It was also fairly inexpensive to produce. Unfortunately, the elephant population began to decline during the late 19th century, and manufacturers sought alternatives.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland, an American chemist, invented bakelite, a plastic that is made from polymers. During the 1920s, bakelite became a preferred option for pool balls. Bakelite was much more stable and less flammable than celluloid. It was easy-to-make and didn't explode. While it is a type plastic, it is not as strong as today's resin. It is a thermosetting polymer that cannot melt again.
The next type of pool ball to be created was a plastic that is a mixture of nitrocellulose and alcohol. This plastic is still in use today. It is called phenolic resin. Circuit boards can also be made from phenolic resin. It is a strong, robust resin that is preferred for pool balls. In a similar process to bakelite, the resin is used for making pool balls.
Another plastic that is used for pool balls is polyester. Polyester is more affordable than phenolic. It doesn't retain its shine for nearly as long, however, as phenolic. Furthermore, polyester is not very resilient. Polyester pool balls tend to be less durable than those made from other materials. They also tend to wear out faster than phenolic resin balls.
Saluc, a Belgian firm that specialized in pool balls, was established in 1923. Saluc is known for its brand Aramith, which produces only pure phenolic resin balls. The resin used in Aramith balls is a combination of the properties of bakelite and phenolic resin. Phenolic resin is a thermosetting plastic that is usually very durable. It can last upto 40 years. It can also be used for volleyball balls, which are durable and can withstand up to 400,000 impacts.
You can also make pool balls from other types of materials. Although polyester pool balls can be cheaper, they are not as durable as phenolic rubber balls. Also, polyester pool balls are not as durable as phenolic pool balls. They are however affordable and long-lasting enough to be used by beginners. The best pool balls for tournaments are made of phenolic resin, but they can be expensive.