Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf ball cover compositions containing metal cation neutralized carboxylic acid based copolymers and/or alkali metal cation neutralized ethylene copolymers such as ethylene alkyl acrylates. Golf balls produced with the cover molded thereon exhibit desired properties of distance and high coefficient of restitution without substantially sacrificing and/or improving characteristics like playability and durability when compared to existing ionomeric resin covers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making natural or synthetic latex articles without the use of accelerators, thiurams or carbamates. The method includes making an elastomeric material by mixing a base polymer containing carboxylate groups with a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a divalent or trivalent metal, an amine or amino compound, and a neutralizing agent. The elastomeric material is formed into a latex article. The present invention is also directed to a latex article made according to this method. The latex article does not contain any accelerators, thiurams or carbamates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralized copolymer resins having at least two different metals with one of the metals being zinc. These mixed metal resins are transformed into particulate or powder form for application to metal objects. The powder composition has a good balance of properties including all the advantages associated with neutralized ethylene acid copolymers while also having good powder coating behavior for coatings applied to metal objects. The invention also relates to coated metal objects containing the powder composition and metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved cover compositions for golf ball construction and the resulting low modulus golf balls produced utilizing the improved cover compositions. The novel golf ball cover compositions of the invention comprise a blend of a relatively low amount of at least one hard ionomeric resins and a relatively large amount (i.e. from about 75 to about 85-90 percent) of at least one soft ionomer resin. When the cover compositions of the invention are utilized to manufacture golf balls, the golf balls produced thereby, exhibit properties of improved playability at low swing speeds without substantial sacrifices in durability and/or distance characteristics when compared to known hard-soft ionomer blends.

Abstract: An olefin thermoplastic elastomer containing an olefin random copolymer formed by copolymerizing ethylene, an &agr;-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monomer having a functional group, and optionally a non-conjugated diene, and metal ions crosslinking the olefin random copolymer, has the same or similar rubber elasticity, flexibility and molding and processability as the conventional olefin thermoplastic elastomers, and has good mechanical properties, wear resistance, in particular scratch resistance.

Abstract: An aqueous curing composition of a fluoroelastomer containing a fluoroelastomer, a fluororesin, a curing agent, which further contains a surfactant which leaves 0.3 wt. % or less of a decomposition residue after being heated at 300° C. for 30 minutes and/or a polar solvent having a boiling point of 300° C. or less and a surface tension of at least 30 dyne/cm at room temperature. When a coating film is formed from this aqueous composition, a large amount of the fluororesin contained therein can be bled up on the surface of the coating film. Thus, the durability and non-tackiness of the coating film can be improved.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions having improved processabillity while maintaining good physical properties are prepared from a mixture of olefinic rubber and a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate in the range of from about 0.5 to about 5 dg/min. and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of greater than 5.5 up to about 20. The rubber component of the mixture may be at least partially cured by dynamic vulcanization.

Abstract: A golf ball material containing (a) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylate random copolymer having an acid content of 2-12% by weight, and (b) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer having an acid content of 8-15% by weight, in a weight ratio from 100:0 to 40:60, and having a Shore D hardness of 30-60 is effectively moldable and is capable of providing golf balls with excellent rebound energy and a pleasant feel when hit.

Abstract: The melt strength is increased and the gloss level is reduced in olefinic TPE compositions through the addition of sufficient amounts of free radical generators (A) and co-curative agents (B). The free radical generators (A) include peroxides, organic peroxides, the persulfates, and the diazo compounds, and mixtures thereof. The co-curative agents (B) includes metal salts of alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids and alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids where the pending acid group has been neutralized, or mixtures thereof, and the metals for forming the metal salts of co-curative agent (B) include zinc, lithium, calcium, magnesium, sodium or aluminum, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes grafted blend compositions, processes for their preparation and fabricated articles, especially foams therefrom. The blends exhibit enhanced melt strength, melt elongation greater than or equal to about 20 mm/s, increased upper service temperature, increased modulus, and increased hardness. The grafted blend compositions have little or no high shear viscosity increase over a corresponding polymer of the same chemical composition absent the coupling agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel golf ball cover composition comprised of a blend of a new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin and an ionomer resin containing an additional comonomer of the acrylate ester class. When the new ionomer resin blend is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits an improved combination of distance, playability, and/or durability properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a microgel composition particles having a core of cross-linked polymer at a multiplicity of polymeric arms appended to the core, the process comprising reacting a living prepolymer component with a monomer component wherein the monomer component includes a multi-olefininc monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralized copolymer resins having at least two different metals with one of the metals being zinc. These mixed metal resins are transformed into particulate or powder form for application to metal objects. The powder composition has a good balance of properties including all the advantages associated with neutralized ethylene acid copolymers while also having good powder coating behavior for coatings applied to metal objects. The invention also relates to coated metal objects containing the powder composition and metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a scuff-resistant, soft cover formed from more than 90 wt. % of one or more acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins. The acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins preferably are terpolymers. The golf ball has good durability and a high spin rate. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.

Abstract: An ebonite tape for coating metal substrates is made either of a single component mixture or a two-component mixture. A single component mixture includes unsaturated polymers, a sulfur vulcanization agent, a sulfur solubilizer, a vulcanization accelerator, and a vulcanization activator. Preferably, the sulfur solubilizer is polyamine, and the vulcanization accelerator is tetramethylthiuram disulfide. Reaction of polyamine and tetramethylthiuram disulfide causes a gelation in the mixture at ambient condition. A two-component mixture includes first and second components. First component includes first unsaturated polymers having first functional groups capable of reaction at ambient temperature, a sulfur vulcanization agent, and a vulcanization activator. Second component includes second unsaturated polymers having second functional groups that will react with first functional groups of the first unsaturated polymers at ambient condition, which causes a gelation in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf ball cover compositions containing metal cation neutralized carboxylic acid based copolymers and/or alkali metal cation neutralized ethylene copolymers such as ethylene alkyl acrylates. Golf balls produced with the cover molded thereon exhibit desired properties of distance and high coefficient of restitution without substantially sacrificing and/or improving characteristics like playability and durability when compared to existing ionomeric resin covers.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least a cover layer and a core layer, wherein at least one layer is formed from a blend comprising about 97 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of at least one high acid ionomer resin, about 3 wt. % to less than 15 wt. % of at least one very low muodulus ionomer (VLMI) resin, and optionally less than about 70 wt. % of at least one standard ionomer resin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: A polyolefin blend including a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of a propylene-containing polymer and a first organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion, and an ethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of an ethylene-containing polymer and a second organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion. Optionally, the blend includes a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, and optionally one or more diene(s); a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefinic copolymer with styrene; a copolymer of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and/or a monomer with a hydrophilic moiety. Also included are methods of preparing such blends, as well as the resultant articles.

Abstract: A method for producing a well-integrated multilayer material having a first material layer adjacent a second material layer, the second material layer being sparingly compatible with the first material layer includes binding the first material layer to the second material layer with an adhesive layer consisting essentially of 60 to 95 parts of a high viscosity binder component and 5 to 40 parts of a low viscosity binder component. The low viscosity binder component is capable of binding to the first material layer and the second material layer and the high viscosity binder component is capable of interacting with the low viscosity binder component.

Abstract: There is provided an olefin-based resin composition which may be applied to the coatings of electrical cables used in automobiles. The coatings have neatly balanced properties to satisfy product requirements, such as wear and flame resistance, tensile strength, flexibility, and heat and freeze resistance. The olefin-based resin composition includes: (i) a polymeric material in an amount of 100 parts by weight which includes: (a) about 50 to 95 parts by weight of propylene polymer portion including at least one propylene polymer having a melt flow rate of up to about 5 g/10 min; (b) about 1 to 20 parts by weight of at least one polyolefin, a proportion of about 0.

Abstract: A foam composition and method of making the same. The foam of the present invention comprises a mixture of glutarate ester plasticizer, adipate ester plasticizer, alcohol carboxylic acid ester, cell stabilizer, barium/zinc activator stabilizer, potassium/zinc activator stabilizer or zinc stabilizer, azodicarbonamide blowing agent, low-fogging vinyl dispersion resin, vinyl blending resin, and black acrylic pigment dispersion. The foam is made by the process of mixing the ingredients until a homogenous liquid mixture is present, de-airing the homogeneous liquid mixture, casting the liquid mixture on a non-fogging release-coated surface, expanding the cast liquid mixture by exposing it to an elevated temperature for a prescribed duration of time, and then either cooling the expanded mixture and winding it into rolls, or coating the stabilized composition with pressure sensitive adhesive, cooling it, and then winding it into rolls.

Abstract: Tire rubbers which are prepared by anionic polymerization are frequently coupled with a suitable coupling agent, such as a tin halide, to improve desired properties. It has been unexpectedly found that greatly improved properties for tire rubbers, such as lower hysteresis, can be attained by asymmetrically coupling the rubber.

Abstract: Random thermoplastic ethylene copolymers can be used to increase the elongation to break and toughness of thermoplastic vulcanizates. Polypropylene is a preferred thermoplastic phase. The rubber can be olefinic rubbers. Random thermoplastic ethylene copolymers are different from Ziegler-Natta ethylene copolymers as the compositional heterogeneity of the copolymer is greater with Ziegler-Natta copolymers. This difference results in substantial differences in properties (elongation to break and toughness) between thermoplastic vulcanizates modified with random thermoplastic ethylene and those modified with Ziegler-Natta ethylene copolymers. An increase in elongation to break results in greater extensibility in the articles made from a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and a to a process for forming a golf ball having least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend, having from about 1 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 99 to 1 parts of at least one metallocene catalyzed polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: A curable composition is formulated from an epoxy resin; a flame-retardant additive essentially free of phenolic groups and of epoxy groups; and a thermoplastic resin. The preferred epoxy resin is a mixture of an epoxy resin with less than 2 glycidyl ether groups per molecule and an epoxy resin that has greater than 2 glycidyl ether groups per molecule. The preferred flame-retardant additive is a brominated heterocyclic compound that preferable is triazine. The preferred thermoplastic resin is a poly(phenylene ether). The inventive curable compositions advantageously can be combined with reinforcement in the manufacture of circuit boards having excellent electrical properties, good solvent resistance, and good thermal expansion characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of a resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes and copolymers composed mainly of propylene, (b) 5 to 350 parts by weight of a resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes and copolymers composed mainly of ethylene, the resin having been prepared using a single site catalyst, and (c) 5 to 200 parts by weight of an ionomer resin or its ester.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for biphasic polymerization processes in which an aqueous solution of a first monomer that is hydrolytically unstable below a pH of about six or above a pH of about eight is admixed with a water-immiscible organic solvent and there is added to the admixture a catalyst selected from tertiary amine, quaternary amine and phosphonium catalysts, an acid-forming co-monomer for the first monomer, an acid scavenger, after which the resulting polymer is recovered, wherein the improvement includes providing the aqueous solution at a pH between about si and about eight, and adding to the admixture the acid-forming co-monomer and the acid scavenger at relative rates effective to maintain the pH of the admixture between about six and about eight. The catalyst may be added in a molar ratio to the first monomer effective to provide a predetermined weight-average or number-average molecular weight for the resulting polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer blends which can be used both in foamed and unfoamed states as a replacement for conventional EPDM and other elastomers. The composition of the blend includes a single-site catalyzed polyolefin resin having a density of below 0.878 g cm−3 and up to 40 weight percent a polyolefin including ethylene and propylene. The polymer blend is cross-linked. The polymer blends are formable and foamable. The use of sulfur to vulcanize the polymer blend is not necessary. The polymer blends can be used to make foam for floatation or for making gaskets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf ball cover compositions containing blends of high or low carboxylic acid based copolymers and ethylene copolymers such as ethylene alkyl acrylates. The carboxylic acid groups of the blends are neutralized with metal cations. Golf balls produced with the cover molded thereon exhibit desired properties of distance and high coefficient of restitution without substantially sacrificing and/or improving characteristics like playability and durability when compared to existing covers comprising ionomeric resin blends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: A rubber composition obtained by (a) kneading at least one low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group and a curing agent, which can vulcanize the low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group, at a temperature within a range where the low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group is not vulcanized, and (b) blending 25 to 100 parts by weight of at least one rubber having vulcanizable carbon-carbon double bond per 100 parts by weight of the low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group with the kneaded product, kneading at a temperature within a range where the low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group can be vulcanized to selectively vulcanize the low air permeable rubber having vulcanizable functional group.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that greatly improved properties for tire rubbers, such as lower hysteresis, can be attained by coupling the rubber with both a tin halide, such as tin tetrachloride, and a silicon halide, such as silicon tetrachloride. Even better characteristics for use in tire tread compounds can be realized by asymmetrically coupling the rubbery polymer. This invention more specifically discloses a coupled rubbery polymer which is particularly valuable for use in manufacturing tire tread compounds, said coupled rubbery polymer being comprised of (1) tin atoms having at least three polydiene arms covalently bonded thereto and (2) silicon atoms having at least three polydiene arms covalently bonded thereto.

Abstract: The polyester resin composition of the present invention comprises (A) a thermoplastic polyester resin, (B) an olefinic polymer modified with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and its derivative, and (C) an aliphatic ester having a molecular weight of 400 to 1,000. The polyester resin of the present invention may comprises: (D) a flame retardant, (E) an inorganic flame retardant auxiliary, and others. The thermoplastic polyester resin composition is useful for the fabrication of sliding members (particularly, gears). Polyester resin compositions with improved dimensional accuracy and sliding properties and shaped articles formed therefrom can be obtained from the resin composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A polycarbonate resin obtained by reaction of (A) a bisphenol compound having a fluorene structure, (B) a bisphenol compound having a polysiloxane structure, (C) other specific bisphenol compound and a carbonic acid ester-forming compound, wherein an amount of (A) bisphenol compound is 30 to 80% by weight to total amount of (A) bisphenol compound and (B) bisphenol compound,and an amount of (C) bisphenol compound is 1 to 80% by weight to total amount of (A) bisphenol compound, (B) bisphenol compound and (C) bisphenol compound and an intrinsic viscosity of said polycarbonate resin is 0.2 to 1.0 dl/g.

Abstract: A golf ball having a cover, a core, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the cover and the core and a method of making such a golf ball, where at least a portion of the core is formed from a core blend of an elastomer, a metal salt acrylate or diacrylate, and at least one low modulus ionomer terpolymer or acid terpolymer. The low modulus ionomer or acid terpolymer is present in the core blend in an amount of up to about 50 pph based on the weight of the elastomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer blends which can be used both in foamed and unfoamed states as a replacement for conventional EPDM and other elastomers. The composition of the blend includes a single-site catalyzed polyolefin resin having a density of below 0.878 g cm−3 and up to 40 weight percent a polyolefin including ethylene and propylene. The polymer blend is cross-linked. The polymer blends are formable and foamable. The use of sulfur to vulcanize the polymer blend is not necessary. The polymer blends can be used to make foam for floatation or for making gaskets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel golf ball cover composition comprised of a blend of a new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin and an ionomer resin containing an additional comonomer of the acrylate ester class. When the new ionomer resin blend is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits an improved combination of distance, playability, and/or durability properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resins and to golf ball cover compositions containing these new resins. When the new high acid ionomer resins are utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: A foam composition and method of making the same. The foam of the present invention comprises a mixture of glutarate ester plasticizer, adipate ester plasticizer, alcohol carboxylic acid ester, cell stabilizer, barium/zinc activator stabilizer, potassium/zinc activator stabilizer, azodicarbonamide blowing agent, low-fogging vinyl dispersion resin, vinyl blending resin, black acrylic pigment dispersion, and oxazoline viscosity reducer. The foam is made by the process of mixing the ingredients until a homogenous liquid mixture is present, de-airing the homogeneous liquid mixture, casting the liquid mixture on a non-fogging release-coated surface, expanding the cast liquid mixture by exposing it to an elevated temperature for a prescribed duration of time, and then either cooling the expanded mixture and winding it into rolls, or coating the stabilized composition with pressure sensitive adhesive, cooling it, and then winding it into rolls.

Abstract: A rubber composition obtained by

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer blends which can be used both in foamed and unfoamed states as a replacement for conventional EPDM and other elastomers. The composition of the blend includes a single-site catalyzed polyolefin resin having a density of below 0.878 g cm−3 and up to 40 weight percent a polyolefin including ethylene and propylene. The polymer blend is cross-linked. The polymer blends are formable and foamable. The use of sulfur to vulcanize the polymer blend is not necessary. The polymer blends can be used to make foam for floatation or for making gaskets.

Abstract: A thermoplastic ionomer blend or alloy exhibiting advantageous properties upon molding or extrusion and/or thermoforming, consisting essentially of the following components: A. about 15 to 85 parts by weight of a thermoplastic copolymer containing about 91 to 80 weight percent of alpha-olefin units and about 9 to 20 weight percent of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid units said carboxylic acid units being about 20 to 90 percent neutralized with metal ions, preferably zinc, B. about 10 to 80 parts by weight of a rubber, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of (a) crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers and equivalent polyolefin copolymers such as ethylene-butene, hexene, or octene, (b) acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, (c) styrene-butadiene copolymers, and (d) styrene acrylonitrile graft-crosslinked butadiene rubbers, and C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball having at least one layer formed from at least one soft magnesium ionomer having a flexural modulus of no more than 4,000 psi, where the layer has a hardness of no more than 90 Shore C, and is substantially free of any ionomers neutralized by a metal ion other than magnesium. The layer may also contain at least one hard magnesium ionomer. The hard magnesium ionomer is typically a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic or methacrylic acid, having an acid content of from about 10 to about 30 percent by weight, wherein from about 30 to about 70 percent of the acid groups are neutralized with magnesium cations, and has a flexural modulus of at least about 50,000 psi and a Shore D hardness of at least about 60. The preferred soft magnesium ionomer is a copolymer of ethylene, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and n-butylacrylate or iso-butylacrylate, having an acid content of from about 7 to about 15 percent by weight, and no more than about 0.

Abstract: A scale has marks or a point-symmetrical shape which are arranged in matrix. The scale and an article to be measured in dimension are positioned without any relative movement. An image sensor unit detects a predetermined portion of the article and the marks of the scale corresponding to the predetermined portion of the article selectively and successively, and the image sensor unit generates output signals in accordance with the detected results of the article and the scale. The output signals are processed to calculate the dimension of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic olefin compositions of a low modulus which are suitable for fabrication into flexible skins and liners for applications which heretofore have been serviced by skins and liners produced essentially only from plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin compositions. TPO compositions of this invention comprise an impact modified polypropylene resin and a “plastomer” resin intimately blended in proportions with respect of one to another to provide a blend composition having a 1% secant modulus of less than 40,000 psi, and preferably less than 30,000 psi. Optionally, and preferably, the blend also comprises as a discrete component apart from the impact modified polypropylene an olefin copolymer elastomer or a cross-linked elastomer concentrate. Optionally the blend may contain other polyolefin components to alter its stiffness in desirable ways.

Abstract: In a solid golf ball having a solid core, a cover inner layer and a cover outer layer, the inner layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing 60-100% by weight of an ionomer resin neutralized with a monovalent metal salt, and the outer layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing 60-100% by weight of an ionomer resin neutralized with a divalent metal salt. The difference in Shore D hardness between the inner and outer layers is within 5 Shore units. While maintaining superior flight performance and durability, the inventive ball presents a more pleasant feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved cover compositions for golf ball construction and the resulting low modulus golf balls produced utilizing the improved cover compositions. The novel golf ball cover compositions of the invention comprise a blend of a relatively low amount of at least one hard ionomeric resins and a relatively large amount (i.e. from about 75 to about 85-90 percent) of at least one soft ionomer resin. When the cover compositions of the invention are utilized to manufacture golf balls, the golf balls produced thereby, exhibit properties of improved playability at low swing speeds without substantial sacrifices in durability and/or distance characteristics when compared to known hard-soft ionomer blends.