Polyurea Golf Ball Covers Using Isocyanate Blends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf ball cover materials face challenges in achieving high tensile strength, cut/tear-resistance, light stability, and thermal stability without compromising mechanical properties, particularly due to the use of aromatic isocyanates which offer poor light stability and aliphatic isocyanates which sacrifice mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition, formed by blending isophorone diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, and other aliphatic isocyanates with specific NCO functionality, combined with polyamine compounds and curing agents, to create a durable and stable polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid that maintains mechanical integrity while providing improved light and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If aromatic isocyanates are used to form polyurea or polyurethane cover materials, then high tensile strength and cut/tear-resistance are achieved, but light stability deteriorates due to poor resistance to sunlight exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite isocyanate system combining aromatic isocyanates (for mechanical strength) with aliphatic isocyanates (for light stability). This composite approach allows the cover material to simultaneously achieve high tensile strength and cut/tear-resistance from the aromatic component while gaining UV resistance and light stability from the aliphatic component, resolving the contradiction between strength and light stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different isocyanate types to different functional requirements within the same polymer system. Aromatic isocyanates are utilized specifically for providing mechanical strength properties, while aliphatic isocyanates are incorporated specifically for providing light stability, allowing each component to optimize its local function without compromising the other
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aliphatic isocyanates are used to improve light stability, then resistance to sunlight exposure is enhanced, but mechanical strength and cut/tear-resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite isocyanate blend where aliphatic isocyanates (providing light stability) are combined with aromatic isocyanates (providing mechanical strength). This composite system ensures that the cover material achieves both UV resistance and high mechanical strength, eliminating the need to choose one property over the other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functional benefits of two different isocyanate types into a single integrated polymer system. By combining aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates in the same polyurea or polyurethane formulation, the material simultaneously exhibits both the light stability of aliphatic isocyanates and the mechanical strength of aromatic isocyanates
3Ease of operation
If conventional polyurethane or polyurea cover materials are used, then desirable combination of hardness and softness is achieved, but thermal stability and durability under high temperature exposure are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the cover material by incorporating specific isocyanate blends and curing agents that enhance thermal stability. The use of aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates in combination, along with appropriate polyol selection, changes the thermal properties of the material while preserving the desirable mechanical characteristics of hardness and softness
4Ease of manufacture
If single-component isocyanate systems are used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to achieve multiple properties (strength, light stability, thermal stability) simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a composite isocyanate blend that can be processed as a unified system while delivering multiple performance benefits. The blended isocyanate mixture maintains manufacturing simplicity comparable to single-component systems but achieves superior multi-property performance including strength, light stability, and thermal stability simultaneously
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 resulting golf ball cover exhibits enhanced durability, toughness, cut/shear-resistance, thermal-stability, and light-stability, maintaining high mechanical properties while withstanding exposure to sunlight and high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction product of a blend of isocyanates, polyamines, and amine or hydroxyl curing agent
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition is provided. The polyurea or polyurea/urethane composition is produced by the reaction of an isocyanate blend having an average NCO functionality in the range of 2.05 to 2.35, a polyamine compound, and amine or hydroxyl curing agent. The resulting cover material has many advantages including improved thermal-stability, durability, toughness, and cut/tear-resistance. The preferred isocyanates in the blend include isophorone diisocyanate (“IPDI”); 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”); 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (“H12 MDI”); 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4′-MDI); toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”); and homopolymers and copolymers thereof.