Golf ball layers based on polyalkenamer / ionomer / polyamide blends

Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls containing a core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one component is formed from a rubber composition comprising: i) about 10 to about 65 weight percent of a cycloalkene rubber having a trans-content of about 55% or greater and a melting point of 30° C. or greater; ii) about 30 to about 80 weight percent of an ionomeric resin; and 3) about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a polyamide. The rubber composition may further include other thermoplastic and thermosetting materials such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency, durability, scuff-resistance, and feel of the ball.

1 . A golf ball, comprising a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layers is formed from a rubber composition comprising: i) about 10 to about 65 weight percent of a cycloalkene rubber having a trans-content of about 55% or greater and a melting point of 30° C. or greater; ii) about 30 to about 80 weight percent of an ionomeric resin; and 3) about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a polyamide. 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber composition further comprises peroxide in an amount of 2.5 phr or greater based on total weight of rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cycloalkene rubber has a trans-content of 75% or greater and a melting point of 50° C. or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber composition comprises about 30 wt. % cyclolalkene rubber; about 50 wt. % ionomer; and about 20 wt. % polyamide. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber composition comprises about 40 wt. % cyclolalkene rubber; about 40 wt. % ionomer; and about 20 wt. % polyamide. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber composition comprises about 25 wt. % cyclolalkene rubber; about 50 wt. % ionomer; and about 25 wt. % polyamide. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the core is formed from the rubber composition. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intermediate layer and cover is formed from the rubber composition. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ionomeric resin contains greater than 16 weight percent acid groups. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ionomeric resin contains less than 16 weight percent acid groups. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the acid groups of the ionomeric resin are neutralized greater than 70%. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the acid groups of the ionomeric resin are neutralized greater than 90%. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ionomeric resin is a copolymer of α-olefin, C 3  to C 8  α, β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, and optional softening monomer. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ionomeric resin is a E/X/Y copolymer, wherein E is ethylene; X is a C 3  to C 8  α, β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid; and Y is a softening monomer. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate; ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate; ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/methyl acrylate; ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate; and ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/isobutyl acrylate copolymers. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polyamide is selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6; polyamide 6,6; polyamide 610; polyamide 11; polyamide 12; and polyamide 46, and copolymers and blends thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polyamide is selected from the group consisting of polyamide/polyester copolymers and polyamide/polyether copolymers, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A rubber composition comprising: i) about 10 to about 65 weight percent of a cycloalkene rubber having a trans-content of about 55% or greater and a melting point of 30° C. or greater; ii) about 30 to about 80 weight percent of an ionomeric resin; and 3) about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a polyamide. 
     
     
         19 . The rubber composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition further comprises peroxide in an amount of 2.5 phr or greater based on total weight of rubber. 
     
     
         20 . The rubber composition of  claim 18 , wherein the cycloalkene rubber has a trans-content of 75% or greater and a melting point of 50° C. or greater.