Golf balls having silicone foam center

摘要

Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed silicone composition and a cover are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core structures can be made. Preferably, a dual-core having has a silicone foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is made. The silicone foam center has good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, silicone foams, polyurethanes, polybutadiene rubber, or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer.

主权项

1. A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed silicone rubber composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches and a specific gravity (SGinner); and ii) an outer core layer comprising a non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, and a specific gravity (SGouter), wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 20 Shore C to about 48 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 24 Shore C to about 52 Shore C, the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center to provide a positive hardness gradient.