Silicone Elastomer Golf Ball Core Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball foam cores face issues with thermal stability, resiliency, and durability due to the low heat resistance of some polyurethane foams, which can lead to changes in the core's size, resiliency, and stiffness when exposed to high temperatures during molding.
Innovation Solution
The development of golf balls with multi-layered core assemblies using non-foamed silicone elastomer compositions, blends of silicone elastomers with polyurethane, and polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends, which provide high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid resistance, and improved weatherability, along with thermoset or thermoplastic materials for core and cover layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyurethane foam is used for the core, then the golf ball achieves desired resiliency and compression, but the core exhibits poor thermal stability and changes in size, resiliency, and stiffness when exposed to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining silicone elastomer with polyurethane foam. The silicone elastomer provides thermal stability and resistance to high temperatures, while the polyurethane foam contributes resiliency and compression properties. This composite approach allows the core to maintain its size, resiliency, and stiffness even when exposed to high temperatures during molding, resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and heat resistance.
2Reliability
If non-foamed silicone elastomer composition is used for the core, then the golf ball achieves enhanced thermal stability and durability, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the silicone elastomer from foamed to non-foamed. This parameter change enhances the durability and thermal stability of the core while maintaining manufacturability through injection molding processes. The non-foamed composition provides consistent density and mechanical properties, improving reliability without requiring fundamentally new manufacturing equipment or processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-layered core assembly is implemented, then the golf ball achieves improved hardness gradients and spin rates, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the core into multiple layers with different material compositions and hardness levels. The multi-layered structure allows precise control over hardness gradients from the center to the outer layer, which directly influences spin rates and ball flight characteristics. Each layer can be optimized for specific performance parameters, achieving manufacturing precision in hardness control while managing complexity through systematic layering.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made from silicone (polysiloxane) elastomers; silicone (polysiloxane) elastomer/polyurethane blends; polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends and copolymers; and polycarbonate-polysiloxane/polyurethane blends are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The polysiloxane compositions have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The polysiloxane compositions also have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.