Low density iron based alloy for a golf club head

Abstract

A low density iron based alloy for golf club heads consists of essentially 25 to 31 wt % manganese, 7 to 10 wt % aluminum, 5 to 7 wt % chromium, 0.9 to 1.1 wt % carbon and selective addition of 0.8 to 1.5 wt % silicon or 2 to 5 wt % titanium or 0.5 to 1 wt %, molybdenum, wherein the balance being iron. Due to the addition of silicon and chromium, the alloy of the invention has an excellent resistance to corrosion. After the alloy has been forged or cast, and then treated under different operational conditions of thermal treatment over several periods. The alloy with low density, high ductility, excellent resistance to corrosion and good finished surface quality is obtained to satisfy requirements of mechanical properties of heads of golf clubs.

1 . A low density iron based alloy for golf club head, the alloy consisting of essentially by weight of 25 to 31 percent manganese, 5 to 7 percent chromium, 7 to 10 percent aluminum, 0.9 to 1.1 percent carbon, and the remaining weight of the alloy being iron, where the density of the alloy is below 6.6 g/cm 3 .  
     
     
         2 . The low density iron based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy further contains 0.8 to 1.5 percent silicon.  
     
     
         3 . The low density iron based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy further contains 2 to 5 percent titanium.  
     
     
         4 . The low density iron based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy further contains 0.5 to 1 percent molybdenum.  
     
     
         5 . The low density iron based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy is hot forged at 800 degrees centigrade to 1050 degrees centigrade and has a surface roughness of 2.4 to 3 μm.