Polybutadiene Rubber Blends for Golf Ball Core Resiliency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polybutadiene rubber compositions used in golf ball cores lack optimal manufacturing ease, material cost efficiency, and playing performance properties, particularly in terms of resiliency, durability, and distance travel when struck with a golf club.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core composition comprising 50% to 95% non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and 5% to 50% metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber, with specific Mooney viscosities and catalysts to achieve a hardness gradient and improved processability, resulting in enhanced resiliency and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polybutadiene rubber compositions are used in golf ball cores, then manufacturing is simplified and material cost is reduced, but playing performance properties such as resiliency, durability, and distance travel are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition combining polybutadiene rubber with zinc oxide and sulfur to create a core material that achieves both high resiliency (COR ≥ 0.75) and durability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established vulcanization processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including zinc oxide content (2-10 parts by weight per 100 parts rubber), sulfur content (1-5 parts by weight per 100 parts rubber), and curing temperature (100-150°C) to achieve the desired balance of performance and manufacturability
2Use of energy by moving object
If higher coefficient of restitution is achieved for greater distance travel, then compression feel becomes softer, but control and natural striking sensation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves optimal balance by precisely controlling the zinc oxide to rubber ratio (2-10:100), sulfur content (1-5:100), and curing parameters, which produces a core with COR ≥ 0.75 while maintaining appropriate compression characteristics for player control and natural 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 composition provides golf balls with a high coefficient of restitution, allowing for greater distance travel and a softer compression feel, while maintaining control and natural striking sensation, with a COR of 0.75 or greater and compression within 30 to 100.
Implementation Method 1
The composition includes an organic peroxide and a free radical initiator to cure the composition
Implementation Method 2
The composition includes an organic peroxide and a free radical initiator to cure the composition
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The golf ball contains a multi-layered core. The inner core is formed from a blend containing a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. The surrounding outer core layer is made of a non-metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. Catalysts such as neodymium, nickel, and cobalt based catalysts may be used to make the non-metallocene catalyzed rubber. Catalysts such as ferrocene, cobaltocene, nickelocene, titanocene dichloride, zirconocene dichloride, and samraocene based catalysts may be used to make the metallocene-catalyzed rubber. The multi-layered core is surrounded by a cover having at least one layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft compression feel.