Black Ping Pong Balls

[Kartracer00]

@Posite. black pong balls would be so hard to see. that would be a crazy game.

 

[Coby]

I disagree, my 445nm lasers 2.5W+ would most likely be able to ignite a black ping pong ball

I've also lit plastic on fire with my 2W 445nm laser but those weren't ping pong balls

The plastic only ignites if you don't melt through it fast enough, as a result the temp rises to such high levels that self combustion takes place Taking into account how thin ping pong balls are I put 5$ that it won't ignite

 

[MrBland]

I didn't sign up for that statement retracted, but I'll still give it a shot

I am anxious to see this. If it is the material it is made out of and not the gas then I don't see a problem getting this to work.:thinking:

 

[Atomicrox]

How about an orange ball with a blue laser?
I think I have some here, if I do I'll try it. Pity I ain't got no 2W laser :/

 

[awillis2589]

If you unfocused the beam it wouldn't burn right though and the surface would heat up enough to catch fire?

 

[Atomicrox]

I've never been able to set fire to anything with an unfocused beam but then again my laser isn't that strong. I've had most success with the beam as tight as possible and a short distance to the target (10-15cm)

 

[Hovermn]

Well, anyone give it a shot? If it works, it would be a fun item to add to the grab bag of fun things to burn

 

[Atomicrox]

OK, tried it out. 1.1W 445nm burns the orange ball very quickly even with a 1cm dot - kinda like a colored plastic bag. The burnt pattern looks cool but I couldn't set it on fire.

Then I used a match and it flamed like flash paper but somewhat slower. Also left a nice 3D skeleton.

Recommended XD

 

[Reaventon]

Then I used a match and it flamed like flash paper but somewhat slower. Also left a nice 3D skeleton.

This happens because flash paper or flash cotton or guncotton is nitrocellulose.

 

[Kartracer00]

Thats really cool. thanks for doing it! Time to go light my balls on fire ()_()

 

[CapeClover]

Ping pong balls are made of cellulose dinitrate based plastic aka celluloid. celluloid burns ferociously which is one reason it is rarely used these days. Only things made of celluloid these days are ping pong balls, some guitar picks and pick guards, accordions, and very expensive fountain pens. Years ago lots of stuff was made from it. Celluloid is pretty much the worlds first and oldest plastic. It was developed in the mid 19th century.

I tried to ignite a ping pong ball with a 300 mw red laser. All that happened was the laser instantly burned a hole through it but didn't ignite it.

 

[T_Warne]

Black Ping Pong Balls

 

[Hovermn]

I guess my question is, has anyone fired into a black ball? I'm sure nothing will happen at this point, but nonetheless, has it been done yet?

I've nearly ordered black ping pong balls several times from the link listed above, but with $9 to ship them, it's just not worth it. Maybe I'll dye a white ball black and see what happens.

Anyway, thanks for entertaining the idea guys