Pool balls can be used in billiards. They can be made of many different materials, but they are most commonly made from phenolic. Phenolic resin is a mixture of formaldehyde and phenol. These two compounds have a reputation for being durable and resistant to scratching. The mixture is also extremely resistant to high temperatures. The resin will start to yellow when exposed to the sunlight.
The first type of pool balls were made of wood. These balls were very durable but could crack over time. Leo Baekeland was a chemist who created a new material that wasn't volatile in the 19thcentury. This material was called bakelite, and soon it replaced wood in the making of pool balls.
It was expensive to create pool balls. It took a while to create the balls. A person could cut a ball in half to get a better idea of what was inside. The balls had eventually to be molded under extremely high pressures.
After the development of the first form of bakelite, other inventors began exploring chemical substances for making pool balls. These innovations were some of the most important in the history of synthetic plastics.
While phenolic resin is an excellent choice for pool balls, the price is higher than its polyester counterpart. If you are not interested in spending a lot of money on pool balls, the polyester alternative is probably the right choice for you. However, the polyester option will not maintain its color for as long as phenolic resin.
Manufacturing a phenolic resin balls takes 23 days. Each step is carefully checked to ensure that the process is free of impurities. Additionally, phenolic resin balls can be stored in lower temperature spaces than polyester balls. They are therefore more durable and last longer.
Aramith is one of the largest manufacturers of phenolic resin pool balls. Their phenolic balls are very durable and hold their shine for up to 40 years. They are also much less expensive than 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 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.
One more manufacturer is Predator Arcos, which uses a proprietary chemical compound to create a number of phenolic resin balls. These balls can also be through-hardened which makes them more dense. You can also choose the Iszy marble swirl set if you want to spend less.
Many companies are trying to replicate the ivory-billiard ball experience. However, ivory material is no long available. Instead, modern pool balls are manufactured from a mixture of phenolic resin and formaldehyde. Today, approximately 85% are phenolic.