Table Tennis Rubber

[SteveJ]

Just a strange one but i have always found the black coloured rubber of most products to be softer or faster than the red, and this has happened continuously for many years that i have played and never been explained. Has anyone worked out why or has anyone the answer ?

[DaveR]

I heard somewhere the pigment in black is the reason but not so sure, lets see if someone has some answers to the question.

[Leeston]

Hi,
According to some reports, the reasoning behing the difference is due to the colour pigment in the rubber plus remember the sponge thickness is a guide - especially when looking at Chinese rubbers.

Interestingly, I have always found the red a little faster than black which is why its traditional to have a black on your backhand to help with control.

Does anyone remember the original redish 729 rubber ? The stickyness was unmatchable ! Those were the days........

[DaveR]

I remember the rubber 729 you could pick the ball up with it stuck to the rubber! after pressing on it downwards............arrrrrrrrrrrrr our younger years............

[Leeston]

The modern day version I've come across is Tihbar Dang - Great for allround / defensive but a little unforgiving with topspin.

Although Spinmax is my best friend !

[JKC]

I remember the rubber 729 you could pick the ball up with it stuck to the rubber! after pressing on it downwards............arrrrrrrrrrrrr our younger years............

I have some 729SP Transcend (not Short Pimples for the uneducated) and when I spinmax that I can sometimes catch the ball on the underside of the rubber when I bounce it gently on the table. You can also get it to stick to it for ever if you like and even roll the ball about underneath the rubber briefly by angling your bat.

[DaveR]

oh god spin max.........................sticky with a bit more than toffee !

I have to say i tried spin max on neos and by god it bumps the spin but sadly control and allround goes pear shaped, therefore stay as is.

[Assybish]

I have found black rubbers to be tackier than their red counterparts.
I believe this is because the black pigment is carbon black which is very strong opacity so you need little to colour the rubber. Thus there will be more rubber molecules per mm2 than on red which has very poor opacity and needs a lot of pigment to achieve a good colour.
The rubber is what is tacky not he pigments. QED.
I was technical director of paint and pigment company so I believe this is why.

[Annie]

I have found black rubbers to be tackier than their red counterparts.
I believe this is because the black pigment is carbon black which is very strong opacity so you need little to colour the rubber. Thus there will be more rubber molecules per mm2 than on red which has very poor opacity and needs a lot of pigment to achieve a good colour.
The rubber is what is tacky not he pigments. QED.
I was technical director of paint and pigment company so I believe this is why.

Nice post Assy :thumbsup: I wonder what the other experts on the site will think of your theory.

[Hovis Bread Eater]

What about

Green and Blue Mark V and Yellow Tornado - Would that not bing back colour to the game.

[DaveR]

I have found black rubbers to be tackier than their red counterparts.
I believe this is because the black pigment is carbon black which is very strong opacity so you need little to colour the rubber. Thus there will be more rubber molecules per mm2 than on red which has very poor opacity and needs a lot of pigment to achieve a good colour.
The rubber is what is tacky not he pigments. QED.
I was technical director of paint and pigment company so I believe this is why.

Black has long been the quickest in most types of rubber, the pigment is the answer it seems. Moving to rubber consistency.........why is the softness and general rubber level of consistancy is so irregular ? This happens with most i have found, especially in Neos Sound whereby the rubber can have a rapidly quick red then a half quick red the next time even when used and softenend, this must mean the manufacurers are obviously getting something wrong.

Having said that ive just used Butterfly Bryce FX and they both seem to be similar and consistent so maybe its only certain brands, does anyone else find this?

[Annie]

Well I work for a Rubber and Foam converting company and we are obviously well read in rubber densities and qualities for various applications. So if someone would like me to find out about a particular grade of rubber let me know and I'll see what I can do. :thumbsup:

[Moggy]

Well I work for a Rubber and Foam converting company and we are obviously well read in rubber densities and qualities for various applications. So if someone would like me to find out about a particular grade of rubber let me know and I'll see what I can do. :thumbsup:

How much to retread the 20 odd old TT rubbers I have sitting in a drawer?:grin:

[Leeston]

Well I work for a Rubber and Foam converting company and we are obviously well read in rubber densities and qualities for various applications. So if someone would like me to find out about a particular grade of rubber let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Hi Annie,
What would be interesting, taking into account your "rubber" background, are what are the best and worst ways of cleaning rubber ? i've heard people use, water, soapy water, spin max, full fat coke, the TT clearners sold by the mail order companies...... based on your knowledge, what's your top tips ?

Many thanks in anticipation.........Lee :thumbsup:

[Loopy]

Hi Annie,
What would be interesting, taking into account your "rubber" background, are what are the best and worst ways of cleaning rubber ? i've heard people use, water, soapy water, spin max, full fat coke, the TT clearners sold by the mail order companies...... based on your knowledge, what's your top tips ?

Many thanks in anticipation.........Lee :thumbsup:

The full fat coke is so popular these days !

I seen it used on numerous ocassions but wil the ITTF ban this aswel, it maybe classed as a tuner !