Nanocrystalline Titanium Golf Club Head Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club heads lack a material that can reduce the thickness of the ball-striking face while maintaining strength, leading to suboptimal energy transfer and ball speed.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head featuring a nanocrystalline titanium alloy with a grain size of no more than 1 μm, comprising 5.50% to 6.75% aluminum, 3.5% to 4.5% vanadium, and the balance titanium, which is processed through equal-channel angular pressing or powder metallurgy to enhance yield strength and reduce thickness, allowing for discretionary weight redistribution and increased ball speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the ball-striking face thickness is reduced to increase ball speed, then the ball speed and energy transfer are improved, but the strength and structural integrity of the face deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the grain structure of titanium alloy from conventional sizes to nanocrystalline dimensions (average grain size of 1 micrometer or less). This fundamental parameter change in grain size dramatically increases yield strength while maintaining the material's ability to flex, enabling the face to be made thinner for increased ball speed without sacrificing structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by creating a nanocrystalline titanium alloy with specific composition ranges (5.50-6.75% aluminum, 3.5-4.5% vanadium, balance titanium). This composite alloy structure combines multiple elements in controlled proportions to achieve superior mechanical properties that allow thin face design with enhanced strength and flexibility
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional titanium alloy is used, then the club head structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ball-striking face cannot be made thin enough to maximize bending and ball speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the grain structure of titanium alloy from conventional sizes to nanocrystalline dimensions (average grain size of 1 micrometer or less). This fundamental parameter change in grain size dramatically increases yield strength while maintaining the material's ability to flex, enabling the face to be made thinner for increased ball speed without sacrificing structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and other processing techniques that create nanocrystalline structure specifically in the ball-striking face region. This localized microstructural modification ensures that only the face area requiring high strength-to-thickness ratio achieves nanocrystalline properties, while other club head portions can maintain conventional structures
3Speed
If the ball-striking face is made thinner to increase flexibility, then ball speed increases, but the weight distribution and center of gravity control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the grain structure of titanium alloy from conventional sizes to nanocrystalline dimensions (average grain size of 1 micrometer or less). This fundamental parameter change in grain size dramatically increases yield strength while maintaining the material's ability to flex, enabling the face to be made thinner for increased ball speed without sacrificing structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by removing excess material from the ball-striking face to reduce thickness and weight, then redistributing that saved weight to other strategic locations in the club head. The nanocrystalline material's high strength-to-thickness ratio allows this material removal without compromising face integrity, enabling precise weight distribution and center of gravity control
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 nanocrystalline titanium alloy results in a thinner ball-striking face that bends more upon impact, increasing ball speed and kinetic energy transfer, with a coefficient of restitution of 0.847 or higher, enhancing the golf club's performance by distributing weight for improved dynamic loft and launch angle.
Implementation Method 1
a titanium alloy that is associated with an average grain size measuring no more than about 1 μm in the longest dimension
Implementation Method 2
processed through equal-channel angular pressing or powder metallurgy to enhance yield strength
Implementation Method 3
A ball-striking face with a reduced thickness may bend more, which may increase the ball speed after impact
Implementation Method 4
the ball-striking face impacts the ball, thereby transferring energy from the club head to the ball
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a golf club head and methods to manufacture such a golf club head are generally described herein. The golf club head generally includes at least one ball-striking face, which comprises a titanium alloy that is associated with an average grain size measuring no more than about 1 micron (μm) in the longest dimension. The golf club head is associated with a coefficient of restitution of about 0.847 or more when a ball impacts the ball-striking face.