Golf balls having layers made of silicone elastomers

Abstract

Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a foamed silicone composition are provided. Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of non-foamed silicone elastomer composition also are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The foamed silicones have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The non-foamed silicone elastomers have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball having at least one layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer composition is made from at least one heterobifunctional macromer. 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the layer formed from the silicone elastomer composition is non-foamed. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 2000%. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 3000%. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises:
 i) a core;   ii) an intermediate layer; and   iii) a cover;   wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the silicone elastomer composition.   
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer has a midpoint hardness of from about 15 to about 60 Shore A. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches and a midpoint hardness of from about 15 to about 60 Shore A. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 2000%. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the silicone elastomer has an elongation greater than 3000%. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer has a midpoint hardness of from about 55 to about 75 Shore A. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer is a non-foamed layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 inches to about 0.060 inches and a midpoint hardness of from about 55 to about 75 Shore A. 
     
     
         14 . A golf ball having at least one non-foamed layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer has a degree of polymerization of from 10 to 100 and a molecular weight of from 900 to 7,600. 
     
     
         15 . A golf ball having at least one non-foamed layer formed from a silicone elastomer composition, wherein the silicone elastomer has a degree of polymerization of from 5,000 to 10,000 and a molecular weight of from 370,000 to 740,000.