Pool Ball Materials

The game of pool began as early as the 15th century. Since then, there have been many different types of materials used in the manufacturing of pool balls. There are different types of billiard games that exist all around the world. For this reason, there have been many variations on the colors, numbers, materials, type and diameter of the pool ball.

  1. Identification

    • A pool ball is a ball that is used for playing the game of pool (also known as billiards). The type of ball that is used in pool games largely depends on the type of game that is being played. For instance, Americans favor games such as eight-ball, nine-ball and one-pocket. Pool balls are a variety of colors and are numbered. There are solid balls and balls with stripes. The black 8-ball is set aside as the most significant ball in American pool games.

    History

    • There have been many different materials used in pool balls. From 1627 to the mid-20th century, ivory was the most commonly used material in the manufacturing of pool balls. In an effort to reduce the cost of manufacturing ivory and to ensure the safety of those hunting elephants for ivory, a replacement material was sought. Celluloid was introduced as a replacement for ivory in the early 1900s. However, upon delivery the material had a tendency to explode. Needless to say, the use of celluloid was short-lived. As of 2010, the most widely used material in pool balls is phenolic resin.

    Phenolic Resin

    • Phenolic resin is a material that is a resin that has a polymeric structure and is most often used in plastics. Phenolic resin is extremely hard and resistant, making it ideal for pool. This material is also resistant to chemicals, moisture, impact and heat.

    Polyester

    • Polyester is another material that is still being used to make pool balls. It may be combined with other plastics and resins, as well as clear acrylics, to make pool balls that are resistant to cracking and chipping.

    Considerations

    • The game of pool has come a long way from using wood clay materials in the making of the first pool balls. Today's pool balls are more durable than ever before, no matter if you play Snooker, the American version of eight-ball or English blackball (in which the balls are not numbered). Phenolic resin remains the material of choice for large manufacturers such as Aramith and Elephant.