Golf Ball and Thermoplastic Material

Abstract

Disclosed herein is novel thermoplastic material and a golf ball utilizing the thermoplastic material of the invention. The golf ball ( 10 ) preferably comprises a core ( 12 ), a cover ( 16 ) and, optionally, a boundary layer ( 14 ). At least one of the core ( 12 ), cover ( 16 ) or boundary layer ( 14 ) of the golf ball ( 10 ) comprises a thermoplastic material according to the invention. The thermoplastic material comprises a partially to highly neutralized blend of acid and alkyl acrylate copolymers, which additionally comprise a fatty acid or fatty acid salt. A golf ball comprising a component that incorporates the thermoplastic material of the invention has a soft feel and resilience that is maintained or improved compared to a standard golf ball.

1 . A thermoplastic material comprising: 
 a first copolymer comprising an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid;    a second copolymer of an alpha olefin and an alkyl acrylate; and    a fatty acid or salt of a fatty acid;    wherein the thermoplastic material is partially to highly neutralized.    
   
   
       2 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 1 , wherein the alpha olefin is ethylene.  
   
   
       3 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material is from about 10 to about 100 percent neutralized.  
   
   
       4 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid or fatty acid salt comprises from about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid salt is a metal stearate.  
   
   
       6 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 5 , wherein the metal stearate is selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, barium stearate, aluminum stearate, lithium stearate and sodium stearate.  
   
   
       7 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second fatty acid or fatty acid salt.  
   
   
       8 . A thermoplastic material comprising: 
 a first copolymer comprising an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid,    a second copolymer of an ethylene and an alkyl acrylate, and    a fatty acid or salt of a fatty acid,    wherein the thermoplastic material is neutralized from 50% to 100%.    
   
   
       9 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 8 , wherein the blend comprises from about 10 to about 60 parts by weight fatty acid or fatty acid salt.  
   
   
       10 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 8 , wherein the fatty acid salt is a metal stearate.  
   
   
       11 . The thermoplastic material according to  claim 10 , wherein the metal stearate is selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, barium stearate, aluminum stearate, lithium stearate and sodium stearate.  
   
   
       12 . A thermoplastic material comprising: 
 a first copolymer comprising an alpha olefin, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and a softening comonomer;    a second copolymer of an alpha olefin and an alkyl acrylate; and    a fatty acid or salt of a fatty acid;    wherein the thermoplastic material is partially to highly neutralized.