Golf Ball Core Adhesion via Oxazoline Mediator
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 and performance issues, particularly in withstanding impact and cracking.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a rubber core with an α,β-unsaturated metal carboxylate and a thermoplastic resin cover layer containing α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer units, with an intervening oxazoline group-containing substance for enhanced adhesion, and a surface treatment method using an oxazoline group-containing substance to improve bonding between the core and cover layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover layer is formed of a resin material containing an ionomer resin, then the golf ball achieves good flight performance and durability, but adhesion between the rubber core and the ionomer resin cover layer is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adhesion promoter as an intermediary substance between the rubber core and the ionomer resin cover layer. This adhesion promoter contains functional groups that can chemically bond with both the rubber core and the ionomer resin, creating a bridging layer that enhances interfacial adhesion. The adhesion promoter is applied to the core surface before molding the cover layer, ensuring proper bonding between the dissimilar materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the core surface by treating it with an adhesion promoter solution. This treatment changes the surface chemistry of the rubber core, introducing functional groups that are compatible with the ionomer resin. The treatment may involve controlling factors such as treatment time, temperature, and concentration of the adhesion promoter to optimize adhesion while maintaining other ball properties.
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 adhesion promoter treatment is performed as a preliminary step before the cover layer molding process. The core is pre-treated with the adhesion promoter solution, allowed to dry or cure, and then immediately molded with the cover layer. This preliminary action ensures that the adhesion promoter is already in place to facilitate bonding, streamlining the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesion promoter is designed to self-adhere to the rubber core surface through dip-coating or spray application, eliminating the need for complex surface preparation equipment. The treatment solution naturally penetrates and bonds to the core surface, and the subsequent molding process completes the adhesion without requiring additional bonding equipment or steps.
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 solution significantly enhances the adhesion between the core and cover layers, improving the golf ball's durability and maintaining performance attributes like flight and spin without adverse effects on core properties.
Implementation Method 1
a surface of the core outermost layer and the envelope layer adjoin each other through an intervening oxazoline group-containing substance
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 a base rubber and an α,β-unsaturated metal carboxylate, 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 which accounts for at least 50 wt % of the resin composition, and a surface of the core outermost layer and the envelope layer adjoin each other through an intervening oxazoline group-containing substance. The golf ball has improved adhesion between the rubber-based core and the cover layer that directly encases the core and is formed of an ionomer resin or other α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer-containing resin material.