GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS
Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles dispersed within the matrix.
1 . A golf ball comprising a layer formed from a heterogeneous composition, the heterogeneous composition comprising:
a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition; and
discrete particles dispersed within the matrix, wherein the discrete particles are present in the heterogeneous composition in an amount of 40 wt % or greater, based on the total weight of the heterogeneous composition, and are formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of crosslinked rubber compositions and thermoplastic polymer compositions having a melting point above the curing temperature of the thermosetting polymer matrix composition; and
wherein the layer formed from the heterogeneous composition has a zero hardness gradient, a positive hardness gradient of 10 or less, or a negative hardness gradient of 10 or less.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the discrete particles are present in the heterogeneous composition in an amount of greater than 50 wt %, based on the total weight of the heterogeneous composition.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the discrete particles are present in the heterogeneous composition in an amount of 60 wt % or greater, based on the total weight of the heterogeneous composition.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the layer formed from the heterogeneous composition has a zero hardness gradient, a positive hardness gradient of 8 or less, or a negative hardness gradient of 8 or less.
5 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the layer formed from the heterogeneous composition has a zero hardness gradient, a positive hardness gradient of 5 or less, or a negative hardness gradient of 5 or less.