Golf Ball Cover Composition Crosslinking Reaction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball cover materials, such as ionomer resins and thermoplastic polyurethanes, face issues with abrasion resistance and spin performance, with thermosetting polyurethanes complicating manufacturing and thermoplastic polyurethanes offering insufficient durability and abrasion resistance.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball cover composition combining thermoplastic polyurethane and a urethane prepolymer with multiple isocyanate groups, where the crosslinking reaction is suppressed during molding and promoted post-molding, enhancing abrasion resistance and durability without compromising productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thermosetting polyurethane is used as cover material, then abrasion resistance is improved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polyurethane by introducing isocyanate groups into thermoplastic polyurethane, transforming it from a non-crosslinking material to one capable of post-molding crosslinking. This parameter change enables the material to achieve thermosetting-like abrasion resistance while maintaining thermoplastic processing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates isocyanate groups into the thermoplastic polyurethane before molding, preparing the material in advance with latent crosslinking capability. The actual crosslinking reaction occurs after molding when the cover is exposed to moisture, achieving the desired abrasion resistance without complicating the molding process itself.
2Ease of operation
If thermoplastic polyurethane is used as cover material, then spin performance is improved, but abrasion resistance and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining thermoplastic polyurethane with isocyanate groups, merging the advantages of both thermoplastic processing and thermosetting performance. The resulting material exhibits improved abrasion resistance through crosslinking while maintaining the spin performance characteristics of thermoplastic polyurethane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of thermoplastic polyurethane by introducing reactive isocyanate groups, changing its physical and chemical parameters. This transformation enables the material to form crosslinked networks that enhance abrasion resistance and durability while preserving the base material's spin performance properties.
3Strength
If isocyanate compound is added to thermoplastic resin, then crosslink density is improved, but amount of thermoplastic resin increases causing inferior abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the isocyanate compound from the thermoplastic resin matrix, allowing for precise control of the isocyanate content. By separating the isocyanate functionality from the bulk thermoplastic resin, the invention optimizes crosslink density without excessive resin content that would harm abrasion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent precisely controls the concentration and distribution of isocyanate groups within the thermoplastic polyurethane, optimizing the crosslinking density to achieve maximum abrasion resistance. By adjusting the isocyanate content parameter, the invention balances crosslink density improvement with maintenance of adequate abrasion resistance.
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 results in a golf ball with improved abrasion resistance, durability, and spin performance, maintaining high productivity and maintaining the golf ball's performance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a cover formed from a cover composition that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane (A) and a urethane prepolymer (B) having two or more isocyanate groups
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having superior abrasion resistance, durability and spin performance. The present invention provides a golf ball of the present invention has a core and a cover, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition that contains, as a resin component, a thermoplastic polyurethane (A) and a urethane prepolymer (B) having two or more isocyanate groups.