Golf Ball Interlayer Adhesion via Silane Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern multi-piece golf balls suffer from low adhesion strength between layers, leading to delamination and reduced shear durability when exposed to shear forces, which affects both the appearance and performance of the golf ball.
Innovation Solution
The use of compositions for golf ball components that include a casing layer formed from a casing composition with carboxyl groups and a cover layer formed from a cover composition with an adhesion promoter, such as silane, which crosslinks with the carboxyl groups to enhance adhesion strength between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional multi-piece golf ball construction is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adhesion strength between layers is insufficient leading to delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the golf ball layers by incorporating carboxyl groups in the casing layer and adhesion promoters (such as silane, aluminate, or titanate) in the cover layer. These chemical parameter changes enable crosslinking reactions that significantly improve interlayer adhesion strength without adding complex manufacturing steps, directly resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where the cover layer contains adhesion promoters that chemically bond with carboxyl groups in the casing layer. This composite approach, combining specific polymer materials with adhesion-promoting additives, achieves superior interlayer adhesion while maintaining the conventional multi-piece construction methodology, thus improving strength without increasing device complexity.
2Strength
If adhesion promoters are added to the cover composition, then adhesion strength between layers is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesion promoters locally and selectively within the cover layer composition, specifically targeting the interface region that contacts the casing layer. By concentrating adhesion-promoting substances (silane, aluminate, or titanate) in the cover layer rather than throughout the entire golf ball structure, the patent achieves effective adhesion improvement while minimizing material costs and avoiding unnecessary substance addition throughout the whole product.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The described compositions and methods significantly improve the adhesion strength and shear durability of golf balls, reducing delamination and maintaining performance without the need for additional materials or manufacturing steps.
Implementation Method 1
the cover composition includes functional groups crosslinked with the carboxyl groups
Implementation Method 2
improve the adhesion strength between layers
Data Source
AI summary
Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.