What material are snooker balls made out of?

Question

Been on the internet, not obvious. Probably rock and resin 90/10. Anybody know?

Answer 1

Classically, it was ivory. But ivory's expensive, so an alternative needed to be developed.

Aramith is the brand of a company, Saluc, in Belgium. They make high quality balls out of phenolic resin now. These are generally considered to be the best in the business for homogeneity and roundness.

Answer 2

Originally snooker balls were made of ivory. Although in the 1920's composite materials were available, they had a tendency to explode, as they contained some of the materials which comprise gunpowder. Not suprising they didn't catch on then. Modern competition snooker balls, on the basis that elephants don't play snooker and therefore shouldn't die for their production, are made from phenolic resin and must confirm to regulated standards. Jusr how many phenolics have died in order that the elephant be spared is anybody's guess.

Answer 3

Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a large (12 ft × 6 ft, 3.6 m x 1.8 m) baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. It is played using a cue, one white ball (the cue ball), 15 red balls (worth 1 point each) and 6 balls of different colours (worth 2–7 points each).A player (or team) wins a frame (individual game) of snooker by scoring more points than the opponent(s), using the cue ball to pot the balls in the manner described below. A match consists of a previously agreed-upon number of frames. Snooker is particularly popular in English-speaking and Commonwealth countries,and the Far East,with the top professional players attaining multi-million pound career earnings from the game.
They are made out of Ivory.

Answer 4

Now they use a synthetic substance called Aramith
Previously they have used Ivory, and crushed cow bones.
http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/beginners/the_balls/the_balls.htm
Inferior balls are made of polymers or polyester
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/aramith-stone-collection-pool-and-billiard-balls-set
It appears Aramith is a trade name for the substance, and I can't find out a lot about it, probably highly protected.
Ivory was discontinued for snooker balls prior to the 2nd world war.

Answer 5

Resin plastic Aramith is the trade name like goodyear rubber it s not the material itsself

Answer 6

Ivory

Answer 7

They used to be made of firstly wood, then came ivory and at present it is a plastic composition.

Answer 8

Ivory

Answer 9

Mainly Cream cheese covered in a meringue casing

Answer 10

The official site says "an approved composition", whatever that may be.

http://www.worldsnooker.com/equipment.htm