Air Hockey Pucks
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About Air Hockey Pucks
Much like ice hockey, pucks are the disc shaped “ball” used to score goals in air hockey. Air hockey discs are obviously much flatter and made of lightweight plastic in order to easily glide across the table surface. They are struck against a mallet in order to shoot the puck toward your opponent’s goal and score points. Since these are an accessory to the table and are not attached, they often get lost which causes players to find replacement parts. You can’t play without a puck so it is a good idea to even keep some extra spares on hand in the event that you might lose it. |
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What Air Hockey Pucks are Made From
Official pucks are usually made from a material called Lexan polycarbonate resin. The restin is injection molded to reproduce the same product over and over. The Lexan material was selected as the material of choice for air hockey tables because it is environmentally friendly, resistant to the elements and virtually shatterproof. Some manufacturers use a Nylon or Capron material which produces a similar sturdy plastic result.
Official pucks are usually made from a material called Lexan polycarbonate resin. The restin is injection molded to reproduce the same product over and over. The Lexan material was selected as the material of choice for air hockey tables because it is environmentally friendly, resistant to the elements and virtually shatterproof. Some manufacturers use a Nylon or Capron material which produces a similar sturdy plastic result.
Air Hockey Replacement Pucks
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USAA Puck Guidelines
There are specific guidelines for manufacturers of pucks in order to make for a consistent game across different table manufacturers. The USAA guidelines below state the rules for pucks used during tournament play.
1. Three pucks are approved by the USAA for sanctioned events: The "Lexan-yellow", the "Lexan-red" and the "Dynamo green". The "Lexan-yellow" will be used unless both players agree to use another puck
2. Pucks may not be changed during a game unless both players agree or unless the referee insists due to clear non-playability of the puck. Such a change in pucks must, if possible, be to the same kind of puck
3. For tournament play, pucks must have at least one layer of white plastic tape on the top side to indicate the top vs. bottom. Pucks with more than one layer of tape may be used only if both players agree
There are specific guidelines for manufacturers of pucks in order to make for a consistent game across different table manufacturers. The USAA guidelines below state the rules for pucks used during tournament play.
1. Three pucks are approved by the USAA for sanctioned events: The "Lexan-yellow", the "Lexan-red" and the "Dynamo green". The "Lexan-yellow" will be used unless both players agree to use another puck
2. Pucks may not be changed during a game unless both players agree or unless the referee insists due to clear non-playability of the puck. Such a change in pucks must, if possible, be to the same kind of puck
3. For tournament play, pucks must have at least one layer of white plastic tape on the top side to indicate the top vs. bottom. Pucks with more than one layer of tape may be used only if both players agree