Polyisobutylene-based compositions for golf balls

Abstract

Polyisobutylene-based compositions suitable for making golf balls are provided. The amine-terminated polyisobutylene may be reacted with an isocyanate and amine-terminated curing agent to produce a polyurea composition that may be used as a cover material and/or intermediate casing layer. The resulting ball has improved weatherability. In one version, the golf ball includes a polyurea casing layer and polyurea cover. In a second version, the golf ball includes an ionomer casing layer and polyurea cover. In yet another version, the golf ball includes a polyurea casing layer and ionomer cover.

1 . A golf ball, comprising:
 a core;   a polyurea intermediate casing layer produced by a reaction of ingredients comprising a first isocyanate, first amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and first amine-terminated cross-linking agent; and   a polyurea cover material produced by a reaction of ingredients comprising a second isocyanate, second amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and second amine-terminated cross-linking agent.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises polybutadiene. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second isocyanates are selected from the group consisting of MDI, H 12 MDI, PPDI, TDI, IPDI, HDI, NDI, XDI, TMXDI, THDI, and TMDI, and homopolymers and copolymers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second amine-terminated curing agents are selected from the group consisting of curing agent is an amine-terminated curing agent selected from the group consisting of 4,4′-diamino-diphenylmethane; 3,5-diethyl-(2,4- or 2,6-)toluenediamine; 3,5-dimethylthio-(2,4- or 2,6-)toluenediamine; 3,5-diethylthio-(2,4- or 2,6-)toluenediamine: 2,2′-dichloro-3,3′,5,5′-tetraethyl-4,4′-diamino-diphenylmethane; polytetramethyleneglycol-di(p-aminobenzoate); 4,4′-bis(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the core has a diameter of about 1.26 to about 1.60 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate casing layer has a thickness of about 0.015 to about 0.120 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate casing layer has a thickness of about 0.035 to about 0.060 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.015 to about 0.090 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.020 to about 0.040 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the core has a surface hardness in the range of about 30 to about 65 Shore D. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate casing layer has a material hardness of about 45 to about 80 Shore D. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a material hardness of about 40 to about 65 Shore D. 
     
     
         13 . A golf ball, comprising:
 a core;   a polyurea intermediate casing layer produced by a reaction of ingredients comprising an isocyanate, amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and amine-terminated cross-linking agent; and   a polymeric cover material, wherein the cover material comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset material and does not include a polyurea formed by reacting an isocyanate, amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and amine-terminated cross-linking agent.   
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the core comprises polybutadiene. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the cover material comprises a polyurethane resin. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the cover material comprises an ionomer resin. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the cover material comprises a blend of ionomer and non-ionomer resins. 
     
     
         18 . A golf ball, comprising:
 a core;   a polymeric intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset material and does not include a polyurea formed by reacting an isocyanate, amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and amine-terminated cross-linking agent; and   a polyurea cover material produced by a reaction of ingredients comprising an isocyanate, amine-terminated polyisobutylene, and amine-terminated cross-linking agent.   
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 18 , wherein the core comprises polybutadiene. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 18 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin. 
     
     
         21 . The golf ball of  claim 18 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a blend of ionomer and non-ionomer resins.