Graphene-Infused Polyurethane Golf Ball Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf ball coatings lack sufficient durability and resistance to abrasion and impact, leading to reduced performance over time due to inadequate retention of compression and coefficient of restitution (COR).
Innovation Solution
A golf ball coating infused with graphene at concentrations of 0.01 to 5% by dry weight of paint film, which can also include graphene oxide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, or boron nitride, based on polyurethane chemistry, applied in single or multiple layers, enhancing abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coatings are used on golf balls, then the coating can be applied easily and at low cost, but the durability and resistance to abrasion and impact are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by incorporating graphene (0.01-5% by dry weight), graphene oxide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and boron nitride into the polyurethane coating matrix. This creates a multi-component composite coating that simultaneously provides enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and barrier properties, directly resolving the contradiction between durability and coating complexity.
2Reliability
If the coating is made thicker to improve durability, then abrasion and impact resistance increase, but the coating takes longer to cure and applies more complexity to the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes graphene's high thermal conductivity to accelerate the curing process. The graphene particles act as thermal conductors, distributing heat uniformly throughout the coating layer and enabling faster cure rates even at thicker applications. This parameter change in thermal conduction directly addresses the contradiction between durability (thicker coating) and curing time.
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 incorporation of graphene significantly increases the durability and crack resistance of golf ball cores and mantles, extending the mean time to failure and maintaining compression and COR over time, while also potentially reducing curing times due to its high thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining compression and COR over time, while also potentially reducing curing times due to its high thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball with a coating disposed on a cover that is infused with graphene in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 5% based on a dry weight of the paint film is disclosed herein. The coating is preferably based on polyurethane chemistry where hydroxyl functional polymers are cured with polyisocyanate-based hardeners. The coating is preferably applied in a dipping process or a spraying process.