METHOD FOR CREATING POSITIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT IN IONOMER CORE AND GOLF BALL

摘要

A hollow golf ball center defined by an intermediate layer including a thermoplastic ionomer resin neutralized at least about 40% with a metal cation is filled with an alcohol having up to three carbon atoms or an aqueous alcohol solution to create a hardness gradient in the intermediate layer. The alcohol or aqueous alcohol solution may be left in the center, removed from the center leaving the center hollow, or replaced by another material.

主权项

1. A method of making a golf ball, comprising:
(a) providing a golf ball having a hollow center, an intermediate layer comprising a thermoplastic ionomer resin neutralized at least about 40% with a metal cation, wherein the intermediate layer has an inner surface adjacent to and defining the hollow center and an outer surface, and a cover forming the surface of the golf ball; (b) filling the hollow center with an alcoholic member selected from the group consisting of alcohols having up to three carbon atoms and aqueous alcohol solutions;wherein the alcoholic member creates a hardness gradient in the intermediate layer with hardness increasing from the inner surface to the outer surface.