Golf ball

Abstract

A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a self cross-linkable thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The self cross-linkable thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is cross-linked during molding without the need for an independent cross-linking agent; such as an isocyanate. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably less than 0.040 inches). In addition, the outer cover may be further treated, such as by exposure to an isocyanate solution, to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.

1 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a self cross-linkable polyurethane, polyurea, or polyurethane/polyurea thermoplastic material, and wherein the golf ball has improved scuff and cut resistance.  
   
   
       2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a cross-sectional thickness of 0.075 or less.  
   
   
       3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a cross-sectional thickness of 0.040 or less.  
   
   
       4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is treated with a secondary curing agent comprising an isocyanate subsequent to molding.  
   
   
       5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more intermediate layers disposed between said core and said cover.  
   
   
       6 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the isocyanate is MDI.  
   
   
       7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the self cross-linkable polyurethane, polyurea, or polyurethane/polyurea thermoplastic material is molded without an independent cross-linking agent.  
   
   
       8 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover has a Shore B hardness of 98 or less and is molded from a thermoplastic material comprising a self cross-linkable polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea composition without an independent cross-linking agent, and wherein the golf ball has improved scuff and cut resistance.  
   
   
       9 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover has a cross-sectional thickness of 0.075 or less  
   
   
       10 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover has a Shore B hardness of 95 or less.  
   
   
       11 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover has a Shore B hardness of 90 or less.  
   
   
       12 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is treated with a secondary curing agent comprising an isocyanate subsequent to molding.  
   
   
       13 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover additionally comprises an ionomer or non-ionomer material.  
   
   
       14 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the flex modulus of the material is 100,000 psi or less.  
   
   
       15 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more intermediate layers disposed between said core and said cover.  
   
   
       16 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core;    a cover molded on said core, said cover includes a thermoplastic material comprising a self cross-linkable polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea composition having a flex modulus of 100,000 psi or less, wherein the self cross-linkable polyurethane, polyurea, or polyurethane/polyurea thermoplastic material is molded without an independent cross-linking agent.    
   
   
       17 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein said cover includes an inner cover layer disposed on said core and an outer cover layer disposed on said inner cover layer, and said outer cover layer including said thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       18 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the cover is treated with a secondary curing agent comprising an isocyanate subsequent to molding.  
   
   
       19 . The golf ball of  claim 18 , wherein said isocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (“MDI”); 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”); m-xylylene diisocyanate (“XDI”); methylene bis-(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) (“HMDI”); hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”); naphthalene-1,5,-diisocyanate (“NDI”); 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenyl diisocyanate (“TODI”); 1,4-diisocyanate benzene (“PPDI”); phenylene-1,4-diisocyanate; 2,2,4- or 2,4,4-trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate (“TMDI”); isophorone diisocyanate (“IPDI”); 1,4-cyclohexyl diisocyanate (“CHDI”); diphenylether4,4′-diisocyanate; p,p′-diphenyl diisocyanate; lysine diisocyanate (“LDI”); 1,3-bis (isocyanato methyl) cyclohexane; polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate (“PMDI”); meta-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (“TMXDI”); and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the cover has a Shore B hardness of 98 or less