Polybutadiene diols for unique polyurethane

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a polyurethane material formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polybutadiene diol. In a multi-piece golf ball any of a core, a cover, and optionally one or more mantle layers disposed therebetween, comprises a polyurethane formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polybutadiene diol. One preferred form of the invention is a golf ball having a cover layer comprising a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane. Another preferred form of the invention is a golf ball comprising a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane that is formed by reaction injection molding.

1 . A golf ball comprising:
 a core; and   a layer disposed over the core, the layer composed of a polyurethane material formed from the reaction product of a diisocyanate and a polybutadiene diol having a molecular weight of from about 300 to about 5,000, the polyurethane material having a Shore D hardness ranging from 30 to 75 and a flexural modulus ranging from 30 to 70 Kpsi, the layer having a thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.20 inch;   wherein the golf ball has a diameter of at least 1.680 inches.   
   
   
       2 . The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein the core is selected from the group consisting of a solid core, a multi-layer core, a wound core, a liquid core, a metal filled core and a foamed core. 
   
   
       3 . The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein the layer is a cover layer. 
   
   
       4 . The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein the layer is an intermediate layer, and the golf ball further comprises a cover disposed over the intermediate layer. 
   
   
       5 . The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein said diisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; 2,4-toluene diisocyanate; m-xylylene diisocyanate; methylene bis-(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate); hexamethylene diisocyanate; meta-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate; naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate; 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′ biphenyl diisocyanate; 1,4-diisocyanate benzene; phenylene-1,4, diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,4,4-trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate; and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . A method of forming a golf ball component including a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane, said method comprising:
 providing a mold adapted for forming a golf ball component, said mold defining a molding cavity and an inlet for introducing material into the molding cavity;   providing a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane;   administering the polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane through said inlet and into the molding cavity; and   at least partially curing the polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane, thereby forming the golf ball component.   
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said diisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; 2,4-toluene diisocyanate; m-xylylene diisocyanate; methylene bis-(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate); hexamethylene diisocyanate; meta-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate; naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate; 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′ biphenyl diisocyanate; 1,4-diisocyanate benzene; phenylene-1,4, diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,4,4-trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate; and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 providing a core component;   positioning said core component in said molding cavity prior to the introduction of the polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane;   wherein said polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane is administered into said molding cavity and forms a layer about the core component.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said layer formed from said polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane is a cover layer.