Saturated Polyurethane Golf Ball Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polyurethane compositions with a material hardness greater than 52 Shore D exhibit a loss of shear resistance and impact durability, limiting their use in golf ball applications, where ionomeric materials like Surlyn are typically used for superior performance.
Innovation Solution
A saturated polyurethane composition is developed using a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent, which achieves a material hardness of at least 55 Shore D and maintains shear and impact resistance without failures at 250 hits in durability tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional polyurethane compositions are used with material hardness greater than 52 Shore D, then hardness is improved, but shear resistance and impact durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyurethane by using specific diisocyanates (MDI, TDI, PDI, HDI, IPDI, or MIX) combined with specific polyols (PTMEG, polyester polyol, or polyether polyol) in controlled ratios, achieving a hardness of at least 55 Shore D while maintaining shear and impact resistance through optimized molecular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polyurethane system by combining specific ratios of diisocyanate and polyol components with controlled molecular weights and functional groups, forming a multi-component material system that achieves both high hardness and durability properties that single components cannot provide
2Reliability
If ionomeric materials like Surlyn are used instead of polyurethanes, then shear and impact resistance is improved, but the limitation in polyurethane applications is overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the polyurethane material parameters to match or exceed ionomeric material performance by controlling the NCO index (100-200), polyol to diisocyanate ratio (0.5:1 to 16:1), and molecular weight of components, enabling polyurethanes to achieve hardness of at least 55 Shore D with superior shear and impact resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific regions of the golf ball structure using the enhanced polyurethane composition, allowing different layers (core, intermediate, cover) to be tailored with specific hardness and durability properties according to their functional requirements
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 polyurethane composition provides desirable hardness values while maintaining shear and impact resistance, offering a durable alternative to ionomeric materials for golf ball layers with no failures at 250 hits, thus addressing the limitations of conventional polyurethanes.
Implementation Method 1
the polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a saturated polyurethane composition. The polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.