GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS MADE OF SILICONE ELASTOMERS
Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a foamed silicone composition are provided. Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of non-foamed silicone elastomer composition also are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The foamed silicones have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The non-foamed silicone elastomers 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.
1 . A golf ball having at least one layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer composition is made from at least one heterobifunctional macromer.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the layer formed from the silicone elastomer composition is non-foamed.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 2000%.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 3000%.
5 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises:
i) a core;
ii) an intermediate layer; and
iii) a cover;
wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the silicone elastomer composition.
6 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer has a midpoint hardness of from about 15 to about 60 Shore A.
7 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches.
8 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches and a midpoint hardness of from about 15 to about 60 Shore A.
9 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 2000%.
10 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 3000%.
11 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer has a midpoint hardness of from about 55 to about 75 Shore A.
12 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches.
13 . The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches and a midpoint hardness of from about 55 to about 75 Shore A.
14 . A golf ball having at least one non-foamed layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer has a degree of polymerization of from 10 to 100 and a molecular weight of from 900 to 7,600.
15 . A golf ball having at least one non-foamed layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer has a degree of polymerization of from 5,000 to 10,000 and a molecular weight of from 370,000 to 740,000.