Main Materials and Performance
Phenolic Resin: This material is commonly used in international competition standard balls and mid-to-high-end billiard balls.
It features high hardness, strong heat resistance, resistance to deformation, and excellent impact resistance.
Compared to ordinary plastics, it has higher wear resistance and stability, contributing to improved game quality and entertainment value.
Other Synthetic Resins: Ordinary recreational billiard balls may use polyester, melamine, or polymer resins.
They are mostly phenolic polymers, offering high cost-effectiveness and are perfectly adequate for everyday use.
Material Evolution and Manufacturing Process
Historical Evolution: Initially, wood or brass was used, but synthetic materials replaced ivory due to scarcity and ethical concerns.
Manufacturing Process: Modern phenolic resin balls are mostly cast, with color applied through internal layering rather than surface spraying.
Some high-level competitions are also exploring high-end composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforcement or nanomaterials, but phenolic resin remains the absolute mainstream.
