GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS
Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula H ≦11.889 Ln ( M )+42, where H is the hardness of the composition, in JIS-C, and M is the flexural modulus of the composition, in ksi; or a softness/stiffness relationship represented by the formula if M <56, then H ≦8.5218 Ln ( M )+26.5 if M ≧56, then H ≦8.5218 Ln ( M )+28.5, where H is the hardness of the composition, in Shore D, and M is the flexural modulus of the composition, in ksi.
1 . A golf ball comprising at least one layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a JIS-C hardness (H) and a flexural modulus in ksi (M) wherein H≦11.889Ln(M)+42, and wherein M>6 ksi.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein H≦11.889Ln(M)+41.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein H≦11.889Ln(M)+40.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein M>40 ksi.
5 . The golf ball of claim 4 , wherein H≦9.45Ln(−0.0105M 2 +3.95M−14)+40.
6 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein H<87 JIS-C.
7 . The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein M>41 ksi.
8 . The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein M>45 ksi.
9 . The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein M>50 ksi.
10 . The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein M>51 ksi.
11 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein M>8 ksi.
12 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein M>10 ksi.
13 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein M>15 ksi.
14 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, and wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the thermoplastic composition.
15 . The golf ball of claim 14 , wherein the thermoplastic composition is a polymer blend composition.
16 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the polymer blend composition comprises an ionomer.
17 . The golf ball of claim 16 , wherein the polymer blend composition comprises a filler, and wherein the total amount of filler present in the composition is an amount of from 3 to 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer blend composition.
18 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the filler materials are selected from the group consisting of talc, nano-fillers, glass, mica, and combinations thereof.
19 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a polymer blend composition, wherein the polymer blend composition comprises an ionomer and has a JIS-C hardness (H) and a flexural modulus in ksi (M) wherein H≦9.45Ln(−0.0105M 2 +3.95M−14)+40, and wherein M>40 ksi.
20 . The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein H<87 JIS-C.
21 . The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein M>50 ksi.
22 . A polymer blend composition comprising an ionomer and having a JIS-C hardness (H) and a flexural modulus in ksi (M) wherein H<11.889Ln(M)+42, and wherein M>6 ksi.
23 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein M>8 ksi.
24 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein M>10 ksi.
25 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein M>15 ksi.
26 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein M>40 ksi.
27 . The polymer blend composition of claim 26 , wherein H≦9.45Ln(−0.0105M 2 +3.95M−14)+40.
28 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein H≦11.889Ln(M)+41.
29 . The polymer blend composition of claim 22 , wherein H≦11.889Ln(M)+40.