Organically modified silicate compositions for golf balls
Compositions for golf balls that include organically modified silicates and the golf balls formed using the compositions are described. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and polysiloxane, polyurea and polysiloxane, and/or epoxy and polysiloxane, and, thus, have the benefits of increased COR, adhesion, and shear and impact resistance. The compositions of the invention may be used in any layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer, or may be used as a coating to be disposed over a structural outer layer of a golf ball.
1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and cover is formed from a composition comprising:
a polymer backbone comprising urethane linkages, urea linkages, epoxy linkages, or a combination thereof;
a polysiloxane; and
a coupling agent comprising:
an alkoxysilane comprising a terminal end comprising an isocyanate-reactive group; and
an isocyanate-containing component,
wherein the polymer backbone and polysiloxane are linked via the coupling agent.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the isocyanate-containing component comprises an isocyanurate.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises the composition.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polymer backbone comprises a reaction product of isocyanate and an amine-terminated component.
5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the isocyanate-reactive group comprises an amino group, a hydroxy group, or a combination thereof.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polysiloxane comprises oligomers of tetraethylorthosilicate.
7. A golf ball comprising:
a core;
an intermediate layer; and
a cover, wherein at least one of the intermediate layer and cover are formed from a composition comprising:
a polymer backbone comprising polyurethane, polyurea, an oxirane functional resin, or a combination thereof;
a polysiloxane; and
a coupling agent comprising:
an isocyanate-containing component having a plurality of terminal ends comprising isocyanate groups;
an alkoxysilane comprising a functional group capable of reacting with the isocyanate groups,
wherein the polymer backbone is linked to at least one of the plurality of terminal ends comprising isocyanate groups in the coupling agent, and wherein the polysiloxane is linked to the alkoxysilane in the coupling agent.
8. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the composition.
9. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the cover is formed from the composition.
10. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the coupling agent comprises amino-functional alkoxysilane.
11. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the isocyanate-containing component comprises an isocyanurate.
12. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the polymer backbone comprises the reaction product of an isocyanurate and an amine-terminated component.
13. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the functional group on the alkoxysilane comprises an amino group or a hydroxy group.
14. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a composition comprising:
a polymer backbone comprising the reaction product of an isocyanate and an amine-terminated component;
a polysiloxane; and
a coupling agent comprising a plurality of terminal ends comprising isocyanate groups and at least one alkoxysilane terminal group,
wherein the isocyanate polymer backbone is linked to at least one of the plurality of terminal ends comprising isocyanate groups in the coupling agent, and wherein the polysiloxane is linked to the alkoxysilane in the coupling agent.
15. The golf ball of claim 14 , further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover.
16. The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin.
17. The golf ball of claim 14 , wherein the polysiloxane comprises oligomers of tetraethylorthosilicate.
18. The golf ball of claim 14 , wherein the polymer backbone consists essentially of urea linkages.
19. The golf ball of claim 18 , wherein the coupling agent comprises the reaction product of isocyanurate and an amine-terminated alkoxysilane component.
20. The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a non-ionomeric material.