Golf ball and thermoplastic material
Disclosed herein are a novel thermoplastic material and a golf ball utilizing the thermoplastic material of the invention. The golf ball ( 10 ) preferably comprises a core ( 12 ), a cover ( 16 ) and, optionally, a boundary layer ( 14 ). At least one of the core ( 12 ), cover ( 16 ) or boundary layer ( 14 ) of the golf ball ( 10 ) comprises a thermoplastic material according to the invention. A thermoplastic material of the invention comprises a partially to highly neutralized blend of an acid copolymer, a copolymer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed alpha-olefin and a softening comonomer, and a fatty acid or fatty acid salt.
1. A thermoplastic material comprising:
a copolymer comprising an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid in an amount of fifty parts by weight;
a plastomer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed ethylene/butane copolymer in an amount of fifty parts by weight;
an oleic acid in an amount of approximately 67 parts by weight;
magnesium hydroxide in an amount of approximately 8 parts by weight; and
barites in amount of 40 parts by weight;
wherein the thermoplastic material is 100% neutralized.