Polyacrylate Rubber Golf Ball Core Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf ball core compositions, primarily based on polybutadiene rubber, face challenges in balancing coefficient of restitution (COR) and compression to achieve desirable aerodynamic properties and feel, with limitations in available rubber formulations.
Innovation Solution
A polyacrylate rubber composition for golf ball cores, incorporating a polyacrylate elastomer, free radical initiator, and coagent, such as peroxides and sulfur-containing compounds, to enhance crosslinking and customize hardness, flexibility, and aerodynamic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polybutadiene-based rubber composition is used for golf ball cores, then the core provides good elasticity and feel, but the physical and aerodynamic properties are limited by the physical limitations of conventional rubber formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber material from conventional polybutadiene to polyacrylate elastomer with specific acrylate components (C1-3 acrylate, C4-8 acrylate, and alkoxyalkyl acrylate). This parameter change enables the material to achieve superior physical and aerodynamic properties while providing greater formulation flexibility for optimizing golf ball performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite rubber formulation combining multiple acrylate components (C1-3 acrylate, C4-8 acrylate, and alkoxyalkyl acrylate) in specific weight percentages. This composite approach creates a polyacrylate elastomer that leverages the complementary properties of each component to achieve enhanced performance beyond what single-material formulations can provide.
2Reliability
If polyacrylate elastomer with specific acrylate components is used, then the coefficient of restitution and aerodynamic properties are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple components and curing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise weight percentage ranges for each acrylate component (C1-3 acrylate: 45-75%, C4-8 acrylate: 25-55%, alkoxyalkyl acrylate: 5-30%) to optimize performance. By establishing clear parameter ranges, the patent simplifies the formulation process and enables consistent manufacturing while achieving superior coefficient of restitution and aerodynamic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific cure systems (peroxide-based free radical initiators and amine-based cure systems) as intermediaries that facilitate the crosslinking reaction between polyacrylate elastomer components. These cure systems enable the complex multi-component formulation to be processed and cured reliably, transforming the raw materials into the final performance-enhancing product.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polybutadiene rubber is used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the reliance on butadiene monomers increases manufacturing costs and limits material versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and environmentally constrained butadiene monomers with polyacrylate elastomer components that offer greater manufacturing flexibility and lower dependency on specific monomer supplies. The use of common acrylate building blocks (C1-3 acrylate, C4-8 acrylate, alkoxyalkyl acrylate) provides a more sustainable and versatile material base that reduces butadiene monomer dependency while maintaining or improving manufacturing feasibility.
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 polyacrylate rubber composition improves the physical and aerodynamic properties of golf balls, offering alternatives to conventional rubbers and reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing reliance on butadiene monomers.
Implementation Method 1
a free radical initiator; and a coagent. The free radical initiator may include at least one peroxide
Implementation Method 2
The coagent may include a sulfur-containing compound, a multifunctional monomer, a maleimide compound, a quinone compound, a low molecular weight polybutadiene polymer, and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 3
the cure system includes a diamine and an accelerator. In one embodiment, the diamine is selected from the group consisting of hexamethylene carbamate, ethylene diamine, methyl isobutyl ketimine, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including polyacrylate elastomers cured with peroxide systems, amine-based systems, or a combination thereof.