Pool balls are used in a variety of pool games. They are small in size and have an unusual appearance. They were originally made of ivory and wood. However, synthetic materials have replaced them. They are now made from phenolic resin.
Phenolic resin is a thermosetting plastic that is similar to bakelite, but it's much more durable. The plastic will become hardened once it cools. This makes it an excellent choice for pool balls. However, it's also very expensive. Currently, phenolic resins are mostly made from petroleum.
Polyester resin is another option. Polyester resin is cheaper than other options and can also be used as an inexpensive material. Polyester is actually less expensive than phenolic. Its strength is comparable to that of phenolic. It does not keep its shine as well. It is, however, a popular choice for many manufacturers.
When phenolic resin was first developed, it was made from coal tar. Although it's strong and durable, it can also be very dangerous to play around with. You can easily injure yourself or others if this material is not handled correctly. To help prevent this, you should only play with high-quality billiard balls.
Thermoset is an important component of a quality pool ball. It improves the ball's accuracy. It also increases friction in the billiard table ball. A high-quality billiardball can withstand much more pressure. Be sure to pay attention also to the friction factor. You shouldn't trust a ball that can't handle the pressure of the game.
Before the advent of phenolic, pool balls were made from clay, wood, stone and other cellular materials. These pool balls are still manufactured by some companies.
American chemist Leo Baekeland devised a new method of making plastic, circa 1907. He mixed nitrocellulose with alcohol. The mixture was then formed under extreme pressure. Even though this was not a perfect compound, it was a big step forward.
Bakelite was an easier choice by the middle of the 20th-century. It was also easy to make. This made it the most popular material for making billiard balls. Bakelite is not like celluloid and doesn't burst when hit with force.
Today, phenolic-resin pool balls are a favourite. These pool balls are classic and timeless. They're also long-lasting. Because the resin is thermosetting it will not melt back so the ball will last for 40 years.
Whether you want to play a nine-ball game or a straight pool, you'll need high-quality billiard balls. Aramith is an excellent brand. They are the most popular billiard balls on the market.
Aramith pool balls are the most popular, but there are other quality manufacturers. For example, Iszy offers a marble swirl set that's rated as one of the top ten billiard ball sets on the market. Nevertheless, you should choose Aramith if you're going to purchase a set of billiard balls.