Low compression golf ball

Abstract

This invention relates to the use of chemical compounds to trap carbon-centered radicals during the golf ball curing process. The intended end result is a golf ball that has lower compression due to a decrease in crosslink density while retaining sufficient crosslink density to impart durability to the golf ball and either maintain or increase the resiliency of the golf ball. The subject invention more specifically discloses a golf ball which is comprised of a solid core and a resin cover wherein the core is produced by curing a composition comprising an elastomeric polymer, a free radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical. The present invention further discloses a process for manufacturing a golf ball core which comprises (1) blending a mixture of an elastomeric polymer, a free radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap to produce a golf ball core composition, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical, (2) compressing the golf ball core composition into an essentially spherical shape to produce an uncured golf ball core and (3) heating the uncured golf ball cure at an elevated temperature to produce a cured golf ball core.

1 . A golf ball which is comprised of a solid core and a resin cover wherein the core is produced by curing a composition comprising an elastomeric polymer, a free radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical.  
   
   
       2 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is a chemical agent that disrupts the cross-linking.  
   
   
       3 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is present in an amount as to decrease the compression by 15%.  
   
   
       4 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is present in an amount as to decrease the compression by 25%.  
   
   
       5 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is present in an amount as to decrease the compression by 50%.  
   
   
       6 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is a free radical polymerization inhibitor.  
   
   
       7 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is a free radical polymerization retarder.  
   
   
       8 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is a peptizing agent.  
   
   
       9 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 3  wherein the solid core is further comprised of a co-crosslinking agent and a peroxide.  
   
   
       10 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 9  wherein the co-crosslinking agent is present at a level which is within the range of about 15 phr to about 60 phr.  
   
   
       11 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 10  wherein the peroxide is present at a level which is within the range of about 0.5 phr to about 3 phr.  
   
   
       12 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 10  wherein the peroxide is present at a level which is within the range of about 1 phr to about 2.5 phr.  
   
   
       13 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 9  wherein the co-crosslinking agent is present at a level which is within the range of about 25 phr to about 40 phr.  
   
   
       14 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 13  wherein said core is further comprised of a filler.  
   
   
       15 . A golf ball as specified in  claim 14  wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate and silica.  
   
   
       16 . A process for manufacturing a golf ball core which comprises (1) blending a mixture of an elastomeric polymer, a free radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap to produce a golf ball core composition, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical, (2) compressing the golf ball core composition into an essentially spherical shape to produce an uncured golf ball core and (3) heating the uncured golf ball cure at an elevated temperature to produce a cured golf ball core.  
   
   
       17 . A process as specified in  claim 16  which further comprises encapsulating the cured golf ball core with a resin cover.  
   
   
       18 . A process as specified in  claim 16  wherein the uncured golf ball core is heated to a temperature of no more than 470° C. to produce the cured golf ball core.  
   
   
       19 . The golf ball made by the process specified in  claim 16.