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Author Topic: Why do balls crack?? Your theory??  (Read 5431 times)

OddBalls

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Why do balls crack?? Your theory??
« on: March 09, 2011, 02:46:49 AM »
Here's mine that I heard from someone in the BR community..

 

The filler and the cover are made out of two different materials. As the ball cools down or heats up, the expand and contract at different rates, thus creating stress on the covers that do crack. Of course, the more rapid the temp change, the faster the ball will crack.

 

I've noticed on some of my older equipment, the coverstock is pretty thick and NONE of those have cracked. I even had a Turbo X that was sitting in my garden fully exposed to the elements for over two years before I rescued it. I change the inserts, had it resufaced and it's gold..

 

Whats your take???

 

I'm certain it's not manufacturer specific, because I've had just about every make of ball crack on me


Yes. it's I, the Inverted One..


 

tywithay

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Re: Why do balls crack?? Your theory??
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2011, 07:51:42 PM »
I think it has a lot to do with bad luck, but also with the size, shape, and density of the core. I think part of the reason you often see cracking issues with the same line of balls has to do with how big/small the core is. If a bowling ball is sitting in one place for a long time, such as a ball rack; the heavy dense weight of the core is going to constantly be putting pressure on the less dense filler (some Newton guy said so). I think the constant gravitational pull on the core, when combined with the imbalance created when you drill the finger holes creates some crackage. I think that the filler also cures more and dries out over time as well. Reason being, after you drill a ball, the filler is exposed through the finger/weight holes. If you're not using that ball and the filler starts to cure, with that heavy core pulling on it all the time, it could happen. That's why balls that are used all the time rarely crack, usually it's the ones just sitting around.


dizzyfugu

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Re: Why do balls crack?? Your theory??
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2011, 01:30:03 AM »

Absolutly agree. The different densities between shell, filler and core are the "problem zone", which react differently to temperatures. Add the more porous shells of today and their much thinner execution compared to 5 years ago, and it is no wonder to me that balls crack more often or at least bridges break.



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