Graphene Core Golf Ball Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf ball cores lack durability and resistance to impact, leading to reduced mean time to fail (MTTF) during repeated testing and normal play, and they do not effectively retain compression and coefficient of restitution (COR) over time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating graphene into the golf ball core, either as a single piece or dual core configuration, with specific weight percentages and combinations of polybutadiene, ionomers, and impact modifiers, to enhance tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and durability, while maintaining a soft cover layer for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional core materials are used, then manufacturing cost is low, but durability and impact resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polybutadiene (providing elasticity and resilience) with ionomers (providing structural integrity and durability). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving enhanced durability through material combination rather than using a single complex material system.
2Reliability
If core hardness is increased to improve impact resistance, then durability improves, but compression retention and COR performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ionomer content range (5-45 wt%) and highly neutralized polymer content (5-45 wt%) to achieve the desired balance. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the core achieves sufficient impact resistance while maintaining compression retention and COR performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a core with specific regional properties through the combination of different materials - polybutadiene providing localized elasticity where needed, while ionomers provide localized structural support. This allows different parts of the core material system to contribute different properties, achieving both impact resistance and compression retention.
3Reliability
If repeated impact testing is performed to verify durability, then reliability data is obtained, but mean time to fail decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating ionomers and highly neutralized polymers into the core formulation before manufacturing. These materials pre-establish a durable structural framework that resists degradation during repeated impact testing, thereby extending the mean time to fail while still allowing for durability verification.
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 use of graphene in the golf ball core significantly increases the mean time to fail (MTTF) during impact testing and normal play, while maintaining or improving compression and COR retention over time, resulting in enhanced durability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Graphene sheets are typically few nanometers thick and few microns wide (aspect ratio of >1000). This high aspect ratio of graphene coupled with their high tensile strength (tensile strength in GPa compared to MPa for polymers) can lead to polymeric composite materials with very high tensile and flexural properties.
Implementation Method 2
Graphene's unusually high thermal conductivity (3000 W/mk compared to various examples of exfoliated graphite (also called graphene) based composites can be found in literature.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene, and a soft cover is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. The soft cover is preferably composed of a highly neutralized polymer, a first ionomer, a second ionomer, and a paraloid impact modifier.