Golf Ball Compositions with Crosslinked Rubber Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball compositions do not effectively achieve a balance between rebound, distance, and feel, particularly in intermediate layers, where traditional materials fail to provide optimal performance characteristics such as coefficient of restitution (COR) and flexural modulus.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball composition featuring a heterogeneous structure with discrete crosslinked rubber particles dispersed within a thermoplastic matrix, specifically using acid copolymers and rubber compositions that include peroxide or sulfur curing systems, to enhance mechanical properties like COR and flexural modulus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials are used in intermediate layers, then manufacturing is simpler, but rebound and distance performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material system consisting of a thermoplastic matrix (ionomer or polyolefin) combined with dispersed rubber particles (polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber). This composite structure achieves superior rebound performance (COR ≥ 0.800) by combining the structural integrity of thermoplastics with the elastic properties of rubber particles, resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes through controlled crosslinking of rubber particles via peroxide or sulfur curing systems. By adjusting crosslinking density and rubber particle concentration (5-50 wt%), the composition achieves optimal balance between rebound performance and structural stability, transforming the material properties to meet performance requirements without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional materials are used in intermediate layers, then composition is simpler, but distance performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material system of thermoplastic matrix with crosslinked rubber particle dispersion achieves enhanced distance performance through optimized energy transfer during ball-flight. The specific combination of ionomer/polyolefin matrix with 5-50 wt% rubber particles creates a structure that maximizes coefficient of restitution (COR ≥ 0.800), directly improving distance while maintaining manageable composition complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating rubber particles specifically in the intermediate layer rather than uniformly throughout the entire golf ball. This localized approach optimizes distance performance in the critical impact zone while keeping other layers simpler, resolving the contradiction between performance enhancement and overall composition complexity.
3Reliability
If crosslinked rubber particles are dispersed in thermoplastic matrix, then rebound performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-crosslinking rubber particles before dispersion into the thermoplastic matrix. This pre-treatment ensures that rubber particles achieve desired crosslinking density and elastic properties before being incorporated into the final composite, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining high COR (≥ 0.800) performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes through controlled crosslinking of rubber particles via peroxide or sulfur curing systems. By adjusting crosslinking density and rubber particle concentration (5-50 wt%), the composition achieves optimal balance between rebound performance and structural stability, transforming the material properties to meet performance requirements without excessive complexity.
4Reliability
If rubber particle concentration is increased, then rebound performance improves, but processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes through controlled crosslinking of rubber particles via peroxide or sulfur curing systems. By adjusting crosslinking density and rubber particle concentration (5-50 wt%), the composition achieves optimal balance between rebound performance and structural stability, transforming the material properties to meet performance requirements without excessive complexity.
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 composition achieves improved rebound and distance performance while maintaining desirable feel, with specific ranges for COR and flexural modulus, thereby enhancing overall golf ball performance.
Implementation Method 1
discrete particles of crosslinked rubber within a thermoplastic matrix
Implementation Method 2
rubber compositions that include peroxide or sulfur curing systems
Implementation Method 3
rubber compositions that include peroxide or sulfur curing systems
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix.