Non-ionomeric polymer compositions for golf ball constructions and methods relating thereto

1. A method of making a neutralized non-ionomeric polymer composition (NNIPC) suitable for use in a golf ball component comprising the steps of:

providing a non-acid copolymer composition (NACC);

soaking the NACC in an organic acid to form a soaked non-acid copolymer composition (SNACC);

providing a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the organic acid; and

melt processing the SNACC and cation source to form the NNIPC;

wherein the NACC comprises at least one non-acid ethylene copolymer (NAEC); and

wherein the NAEC comprises at least one grafted copolymer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic organic acids, aromatic organic acids, saturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, and multi-unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic acid comprises stearic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid or dimerized derivatives and blends thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the soaking step is performed at a soaking temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SNACC comprises the organic acid and NACC in a weight ratio of from about 1:9 to about 1:1.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SNACC comprises the organic acid and NACC in a weight ratio of about 2:3.

7. A method of making a neutralized non-ionomeric polymer composition (NNIPC) suitable for use in a golf ball component comprising the steps of:

providing a non-acid copolymer composition (NACC);

soaking the NACC in an organic acid to form a soaked non-acid copolymer composition (SNACC);

providing a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the organic acid; and

melt processing the SNACC and cation source to form the NNIPC; and

wherein the SNACC comprises the organic acid and NACC in a weight ratio of from about 1:9 to about 1:1.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the SNACC comprises the organic acid and NACC in a weight ratio of about 2:3.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic organic acids, aromatic organic acids, saturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, and multi-unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the organic acid comprises stearic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid or dimerized derivatives and blends thereof.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the soaking step is performed at a soaking temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C.

12. A method of making a golf ball having at least one component comprising a neutralized non-ionomeric polymer composition (NNIPC), comprising the steps of:

providing a center;

forming a layer about the center; and

forming a cover about the layer;

wherein at least one of the center, the layer and the cover comprises an NNIPC formed by:

providing a non-acid copolymer composition (NACC);

soaking the NACC in an organic acid to form a soaked non-acid copolymer composition (SNACC);

providing a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize the organic acid; and

melt processing the SNACC and cation source.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the NACC comprises at least one non-acid ethylene copolymer (NAEC).

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic organic acids, aromatic organic acids, saturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids, and multi-unsaturated mono- or multi-functional organic acids.