Golf Ball Core Adhesion via Acid Demetallization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls with a rubber core and ionomer resin cover layer face inadequate adhesion, leading to reduced durability against cracking, despite previous surface treatment methods not fully addressing this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a rubber core with a base rubber and α,β-unsaturated metal carboxylate, treated with an acid-containing solution, and an envelope layer made of thermoplastic resin with α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer units, enhancing adhesion through specific infrared absorption spectra ratios and surface treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core is formed of rubber composition and the cover layer is formed of ionomer resin, then the golf ball achieves good elasticity and durability, but adhesion between the core and cover layer is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adhesion promoter containing carboxylic acid groups as an intermediary substance between the rubber core and ionomer resin cover layer. This adhesion promoter chemically bonds to both the rubber core and the ionomer resin, creating a strong interfacial connection that resolves the adhesion problem while maintaining the durability benefits of the ionomer resin cover layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the core surface by treating it with an adhesion promoter that introduces carboxylic acid groups. This changes the surface chemistry of the rubber core, enabling better chemical compatibility and bonding with the ionomer resin cover layer, thereby improving adhesion without compromising the inherent durability of the material combination.
2Strength
If surface treatment is applied to the core to enhance adhesion, then bonding between layers improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment to the core before the cover layer injection molding process. By preparing the adhesion promoter coating on the core in advance, the treatment integrates seamlessly into the existing manufacturing workflow, enhancing adhesion while adding minimal complexity to the overall production process.
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
This approach significantly improves the adhesion between the core and cover layers, enhancing the golf ball's durability without compromising flight performance or spin, by demetallizing metal salts and forming new chemical bonds, resulting in improved impact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
by demetallizing metal salts
Implementation Method 2
when the infrared absorption spectra at surface sites on the outermost layer of the core are measured by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy
Implementation Method 3
forming new chemical bonds
Data Source
AI summary
In a golf ball having a core composed of one or more layer, the outermost layer of the core is formed of a rubber composition containing an α,β-unsaturated metal carboxylate, and an envelope layer directly encasing the core is formed of a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin having a structure that includes α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymerization units. The infrared absorption spectra at surface sites on the outermost layer of the core, as measured by ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, satisfy a specific condition. The ball has an enhanced adhesion between the rubber-based core and the adjacent cover layer that is formed of an ionomer resin or other α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer-containing resin material.