Golf Ball Core Compression via Silane-Mediated Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for golf ball core compositions that can be tailored to achieve specific compression and Coefficient of Restitution (COR) levels, enabling improved spin rates and control for both professional and amateur players, while minimizing shot dispersion and providing a comfortable feel during shots.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core formulation comprising a base rubber, a polyfunctional isocyanate as a compression agent, and a water-producing agent, such as a metal salt hydrate, which together enhance the core's compression and COR, allowing for a tailored hardness gradient and increased spin rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyfunctional isocyanate is added to the rubber formulation to increase compression and COR, then the compression and COR of the core are improved, but the changes to compression and COR become unpredictable and sometimes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
A silane-modified polyol is introduced as an intermediary substance that reacts with the polyfunctional isocyanate to form a controlled crosslinked structure. This intermediary approach allows the isocyanate's compressive strength benefits to be realized while preventing its unpredictable activity, as the silane-modified polyol mediates the crosslinking reaction to produce consistent and controllable results.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation parameters are changed by introducing specific ratios of silane-modified polyol to polyfunctional isocyanate and controlling the water content within specific ranges. These parameter changes transform the unpredictable chemical reaction into a controlled process that consistently produces desired compression and COR values.
2Strength
If water is added to the rubber formulation to decrease compression, then the compression is reduced, but it becomes difficult to include water in non-polar base rubber and requires adding or increasing concentrations of other components
Solution Approach 1:
The silane-modified polyol creates a microstructured crosslinked network that acts as a porous framework, allowing water to be incorporated into the non-polar rubber matrix more easily. This porous structure provides pathways for water distribution without requiring excessive concentrations of other components, simplifying the formulation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation creates a composite structure combining silane-modified polyol, polyfunctional isocyanate, and water within the rubber matrix. This composite approach allows water to be effectively incorporated into the non-polar base rubber by combining it with the crosslinked network, reducing the need for additional components.
3Speed
If compression of the core is increased to improve spin rate, then spin rate increases for both driver and short distance shots, but the feel of the ball becomes harder and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinked structure is distributed locally throughout the rubber formulation at controlled concentrations, creating localized regions of enhanced compression and COR. This local quality approach allows spin rate improvement without uniformly hardening the entire ball, preserving the soft feel by limiting the density and distribution of crosslinked regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration of crosslinked structure is controlled within specific parameter ranges (0.1-6.0 phr polyfunctional isocyanate, 0.1-15 phr water-producing agent) to achieve the optimal balance between compression enhancement for spin rate and maintaining adequate softness for comfortable feel.
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 formulation increases spin rates and provides greater control over shots, particularly for long and short distance shots, while maintaining a comfortable feel, thus addressing the need for customized performance characteristics in golf balls.
Implementation Method 1
a water-producing agent, such as a metal salt hydrate
Implementation Method 2
the use of polyfunctional isocyanates in the rubber formulation of a golf ball core may affect the compression and the COR of the golf ball core
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions including a compression agent and a water-producing agent golf ball cores made from such compositions having an increased compression and Coefficient of Restitution are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including the compression agent and water-producing agent, affects the compression, Coefficient of Restitution, hardness, and hardness gradient of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.