GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS MADE FROM THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING NUCLEATING AGENTS
Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoplastic composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The thermoplastic composition may be an ionomer or non-ionomer resin. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength.
1 . A solid golf ball, comprising an inner core, an intermediate layer, and an outer cover, wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and nucleating agent, the nucleating agent being present in the amount of 0.001 to 5% by weight based on total weight of the composition and having the following structure:
wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are identical and are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cycloheptyl, 1-adamantyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, S(+)-1-cyclohexylethyl, R(+)-1-cyclohexylethyl, isopropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-butyl, 3-methylbutyl or 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, the golf ball having a COR value of about 0.60 to about 0.90 and a compression of about 70 to about 110.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core comprises polybutadiene rubber.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyamide-ethers, and polyamide-esters; polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane-polyurea hybrids; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes and polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is an ionomer.
5 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a non-ionomer.
6 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a blend of ionomers and non-ionomers.
7 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover has a thickness in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.090 inches and a material hardness in the range of about 30 to about 65 Shore D.
8 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.120 inches and a material hardness in the range of about 30 to about 75 Shore D.
9 . A solid golf ball, comprising an inner core, an intermediate layer, and an outer cover, wherein the cover is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and nucleating agent, the nucleating agent being present in the amount of 0.001 to 5% by weight based on total weight of the composition and having the following structure:
wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are identical and are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cycloheptyl, 1-adamantyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, S(+)-1-cyclohexylethyl, R(+)-1-cyclohexylethyl, isopropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-butyl, 3-methylbutyl or 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, the golf ball having a COR value of about 0.60 to about 0.90 and a compression of about 70 to about 110.
10 . The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyamide-ethers, and polyamide-esters; polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane-polyurea hybrids; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes and polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.
11 . The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is an ionomer.
12 . The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a non-ionomer.