How Are Ping Pong Balls Made?

Are you wondering how ping pong balls are made? The process of manufacturing Ping Pong balls involves four steps and requires specialized machines.

The first step involves slicing a thin plastic sheet and weighing it to the correct size. Then, the plastic sheet is molded into the shape of a ball using specialized equipment. After the ball is formed, hot water is used to prevent cracks, and the two halves of the ball are transferred to the gluing station. During the final step, the solvent is used to spread the glue evenly on the ball halves.

Once this process is complete, the Ping Pong balls are packaged and shipped off to stores. Continue reading on to learn more about how are ping pong balls made.

See Also – Best Ping Pong Balls

What is the Official Size & Weight of a Ping Pong Ball?

Originally, ping pong balls were made for recreational use, but enthusiasts soon adopted them for their competitive games. As a result, all standard Ping Pong balls have to meet a regulation size.

The standard ping pong ball must be 2.7 grams in weight, 40 millimeters in diameter, and 23 centimeters in height. The ball should also be white or orange and must have a three-star quality rating.

What Are Ping Pong Balls Made From?

Today, most ping pong balls are made of ABS plastic, which is a relatively safe material. However, this was not always the case. Ping Pong balls have been made from many different materials, and experts commonly debate which type works best.

While ABS is the most common material used to create ping pong balls, celluloid balls have been used for over 100 years. It’s important to note that the production of ping pong balls is not a simple process, and there are many steps involved.

In the early years, ping pong balls were made of cork. However, with time, the game’s popularity soared and the development of speed glue allowed for greater size changes. Over time, the most significant change in the material used for ping pong balls occurred when it switched from celluloid to plastic.

Celluloid is highly flammable and required special care and attention to prevent accidents, making plastic a more affordable and versatile material.

See Also – Who Invented Table Tennis? And Where Did It Originate?

What Type of Ping Pong Ball is the Cheapest?

The cheapest and simplest ping-pong ball is a celluloid ball. Although it may be cheaper, celluloid balls are not ideal for table tennis. They are best suited for beer pong, but if you’re playing for competitive purposes, ABS or polystyrene balls are better choices.

How Do You Choose a Good Ping Pong Ball?

To choose a high-quality ball, you can look for three-star balls or four-star balls. The latter is usually better quality but is more expensive. Four-star balls have higher star ratings and are suitable for tournaments.

For an expert recommendation, the Joola 3-Star Training Balls have excellent bounce, spin, and control and are the ideal home practice balls. Whether you’re a professional player or simply want to practice ping pong for leisure, JOOLA’s 40mm dual-color ping pong balls will provide the perfect balance of performance, durability, and affordability. The brand is also popular with tournament players and has been in the table tennis industry for 60 years.

We hope this article has answered any questions you have regarding How Are Ping Pong Balls Made?