Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer situated therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition, and the thickness and material hardness of the intermediate layer, as well as the hardness difference between the surface of the solid core and the intermediate layer are set within specific ranges. The cover is formed primarily of polyurethane, and has a thickness and a material hardness set within specific ranges.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a resorcinol such that the geometric center has a hardness of 40 to 60 Shore C and the outer surface has a hardness of 70 to 95 Shore C. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface having a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore C, an inner surface having a hardness of 51 to 76 Shore C, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the inner core outer surface is greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of greater than 20 Shore C, and the hardness of the outer core outer surface is lower than the hardness of its inner surface to define a negative hardness gradient of ?1 to ?5 Shore C.

Abstract: Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including precursors with acrylate functionality crosslinked with a curing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball, of which flight distance is improved by accomplishing high launch angle and low spin amount, when hit by golfers, who swing a golf club at low head speed, using a middle iron club to a driver. The present invention relates to multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a center, an intermediate layer formed on the center and a cover covering the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is formed from only one material having a flexural stiffness of 400 to 5,000 MPa.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized, ionomeric resin composition, has a diameter of from 10 to 38 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section formed by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 30 to 42 mm. The sum of the hardnesses at the center of the inner core layer and at the surface of the outer core layer is set to a value in a range of from 130 to 170. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to resilient golf balls and portions thereof including compositions containing zinc dimethacrylate and zinc pentachlorothiophenol, and methods for making same. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one of a center, cover, or intermediate layer that includes a reaction product that includes a resilient polymer component, a free radical source, zinc dimethacrylate and at least one halogenated organosulfur compound having the following general formula I: where R1-R5 can be substituted or unsubstituted C1-C8 alkyl groups; halogen groups; thiol groups (—SH), carboxylated groups; sulfonated groups; and hydrogen; in any order.

Abstract: The present invention concerns reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also concerns golf balls comprising the reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also relates to a method for making a golf ball which includes using reduced yellowing compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The resulting golf balls have similar processability and physical properties (such as resiliency and shear resistance) as golf balls made from conventional polyurethane or polyurea formulations, while exhibiting substantially improved resistance to yellowing.

Abstract: A golf ball core that includes a center point having a first hardness value and/or first specific gravity value, and a surface having a second hardness value and/or second specific gravity value. The first hardness value, or first specific gravity value, is different from the second hardness value, or second specific gravity value, respectively.

Abstract: A golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers, wherein the multiple cover layers are formed from materials that are substantially the same composition with the same Shore hardness, but are modified in some way to alter the processing or performance characteristics of the golf ball, or the layers have the same hardness and at least one cover layer is formed of a polymer blend including a polyurethane composition, and at least one cover layer is formed of a different polymer blend.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a “negative” hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a substantially homogenous thermoset composition, typically rubber, and has an inner surface hardness substantially less than its outer surface hardness to define a “positive” hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of an inner core layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition and an outer core layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition. The outer core layer has an outer surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core and at least one layer formed over the core. The layer can be an outer core layer, an intermediate layer including inner cover layers, or a cover. Either the core or any layer over the core can comprise a fully or partially neutralized polyester ionomer. The core comprises: a diameter of at least 1.30 inches, a compression of 50 or less; and a coefficient of restitution of 0.80 or greater at 125 ft/sec.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has a geometric center having a hardness (Hg) and the core has an outer surface that is treated with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition such that the outer surface has an extrapolated hardness (HE) and an actual hardness (HOS) wherein HE is derived from a five point extrapolation within three quarters of an outer core diameter and HOS is measured on the curved surface of the core, and the cover has a hardness (HC), wherein HC>HE>Hg>HOS.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a soft, low compression center; a soft, flexible outer cover layer; and a relatively hard, high compression intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is greater than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C; an intermediate layer disposed about the inner core and being formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber-based composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 20 Shore D to about 80 Shore D; and a cover layer disposed about the intermediate layer. A hardness of the first outer surface is 61 Shore C to 83 Shore C and is lower than a hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient having a magnitude of up to ?10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods relating to golf balls. In one embodiment, a golf ball can include a core and/or intermediate layer formed from a partially-neutralized in situ ionomer that is neutralized to a first level by a first cation, and is subsequently neutralized by a second, different cation to produce a further, more highly-neutralized ionomer. The further-neutralized ionomer exhibits decreased compression (softer) and/or increased COR (faster) compared to a comparative golf ball that contains a core or layer that is formed from an ionomer that is not subsequently neutralized with a second cation.

Abstract: Golf balls having a core and containing at least one surrounding layer made from a functionalized ethylene copolymer having a linear or substantially linear structure are provided. The core may be made of a polybutadiene rubber material. The functionalized ethylene copolymer composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure such as, for example, an outer core, intermediate layer, inner cover, and/or outer cover. The composition may be blended with ionomeric or non-ionomeric resins such as polyamides, polyurethanes, polyureas, polycarbonates, polyesters, and polyacrylates to form the layer. The resulting layers provide the golf ball with improved resiliency and impact durability.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized, ionomeric resin composition, has a diameter of from 10 to 38 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section formed by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 30 to 42 mm. The sum of the respective hardnesses at the center of the inner core layer, at the outer core layer 1 mm outside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, at the inner core layer 1 mm inside the boundary, and at the surface of the outer core layer is set to a value in a range of from 260 to 360. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: Described are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compression greater than 100. Also described is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having a core, an intermediate layer encasing the core, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material, and the intermediate layer and the cover are formed primarily of like or unlike resin materials. The core has a hardness which gradually increases from a center to a surface thereof, the hardness difference in JIS-C hardness units between the core center and the core surface being at least 15 and, letting (I) be the average value for cross-sectional hardnesses at a position about 15 mm from the core center and at the core center and letting (II) be the cross-sectional hardness at a position about 7.5 mm from the core center, the hardness difference (I)-(II) in JIS-C units being not more than ±2. The intermediate layer and cover have hardnesses which satisfy the condition: cover hardness>intermediate layer hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball composition having a copolymer with an acid content modified by a nucleating agent is described. The nucleating agent modifies the flexural modulus of the acid copolymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer, wherein at least one layer of the cover is made of a material obtained by molding a mixture composed of (a) 100 parts by weight of a base resin and (b) 1 to 40 parts by weight of a saturated branched-chain fatty acid or a derivative thereof. The golf ball has a soft, pleasant feel on impact and excellent scuff resistance while retaining a good flight performance. Moreover, it exhibits a highly white appearance that undergoes little discoloration.

Abstract: A golf ball including a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer between the core and the outer cover layer. The thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a solvent, free radical initiator, and a reactive co-agent comprising a metal salt of an acrylic or methacrylic acid, a mono- or multi-functional acrylate or methacrylate, or having the chemical structure where R=linear, branched, or aromatic C1-C14 and n=1-5, such that the hardness of the outer surface is different than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive or negative hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material and has a hardness which gradually increases from a center to a surface thereof, the hardness difference in JIS-C hardness units between the core center and the core surface being at least 15 and, letting (I) be the average value for cross-sectional hardnesses at a position about 15 mm from the core center and at the core center and letting (II) be the cross-sectional hardness at a position about 7.5 mm from the core center, the hardness difference (I)?(II) in JIS-C units being not more than ±2. The envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have hardnesses which satisfy the condition: cover hardness>intermediate layer hardness>envelope layer hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises a thermoset rubber composition, a geometric center and a treated outer surface, the treated outer surface having a first hardness and the geometric center having a second hardness, the treated outer surface being treated with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition such that the second hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. In another emobodiment, the golf ball comprises a thermoset rubber composition core and a cover, said core comprising a treated outer surface and a geometric center, the treated outer surface comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition and extending inward from the surface from about 0.001 inches to about 0.

Abstract: A multi-layered golf ball having a core, moisture vapor barrier layer, and outer cover, wherein the moisture barrier layer is preferably made from a non-ionomeric polyolefin composition is disclosed. The moisture barrier layer is applied at very low thickness, preferably in the range of 0.0001 to 0.010 inches, so that the playing performance properties of the ball are not altered. Preferably, the moisture vapor barrier layer is applied over the core material using powder coating or solution coating methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material comprising components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a mixture of different masterbatches prepared by separately masterbatching two or more different metal ions (A1) or a masterbatch prepared by simultaneously masterbatching two or more different metal ions in itself (A2), (B) one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) one or more polymer having an acid content of from about 0.5 to about 30 wt % and selected from the group consisting of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, unsaturated carboxylic anhydride-containing polymers, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-containing polymers and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester-containing polymers. The invention also provides a method for preparing such a golf ball material, and a golf ball made of the material.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of 45 Shore C to 65 Shore C. An intermediate layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface and an inner surface and is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising an ionomer whose acid groups are 100% neutralized such that the intermediate layer has a hardness of 20 Shore D to 80 Shore D. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The inner core outer surface hardness is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the outer surface of the intermediate layer is the same as the hardness of the inner surface to define a zero hardness gradient.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer situated therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition, and the thickness and material hardness of the intermediate layer, as well as the hardness difference between the surface of the solid core and the intermediate layer are set within specific ranges. The cover is formed primarily of polyurethane, and has a thickness and a material hardness set within specific ranges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The envelope layer has an inner layer and an outer layer. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material. The inner and outer envelope layers, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of the same or different resin materials. The inner and outer envelope layers, intermediate layer and cover have thicknesses which satisfy the following conditions (i) and (ii): cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness<(inner envelope layer thickness+outer envelope layer thickness)??(i) (cover thickness+intermediate layer thickness)<(inner envelope layer thickness+outer envelope layer thickness).

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 Shore D and 60 Shore D, an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 Shore D and 60 Shore D, and a non-ionomeric thermoplastic intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layer. The intermediate layer has a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer, the intermediate layer from a non-ionomer, and the cover outer cover layer from a polyurea formed from the reaction product of a prepolymer comprising an isocyanate and an amine-terminated polytetramethylene ether glycol, and an amine-terminated curing agent.

Abstract: A multilayer golf ball with at least one layer made from an expandable polymeric composition is disclosed. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the expandable polymeric composition comprises a film-forming binder polymer latex, a dispersing agent, a plurality of polyspheres encapsulating expandable volatile substance, and at least one additive. The additive can be a defoaming agent, a solvent, a thickener, a plasticizer, or any combination thereof. The at least one layer may also comprise a thermally expandable microsphere encapsulating foaming agent. Another expandable polymeric composition comprises a curable silicone composition comprising a liquid diorganopolysiloxane, a liquid organosilicon compound, a condensation catalyst and a blowing agent. Another the expandable polymeric composition comprises an aqueous acrylic based latex emulsion and an unencapsulated blowing agent.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer that is formed from a mechanically hybridizing two or more materials. In particular, the mechanically hybridized layers of the invention improve performance and increase durability of the finished golf ball, as well increase adhesion between layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized, ionomeric resin composition, has a diameter of from 10 to 38 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section formed by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 30 to 42 mm. The sum of the respective hardnesses at the center of the inner core layer, at the outer core layer 1 mm outside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, at the inner core layer 1 mm inside the boundary, and at the surface of the outer core layer is set to a value in a range of from 260 to 360. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 3 to 20 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance and has a good feel on impact.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. The relatively soft HNP composition has a material hardness of 55 Shore D or less and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The relatively hard HNP composition has a material hardness of 45 Shore D or greater and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The cover preferably consists of a single cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball made from a composition that includes at least one triboluminescent material. In one embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; one or more intermediate layers; and a coating layer disposed on the outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer, or the coating layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material. In another embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers; wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of a layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition. The low modulus HNP composition has a material hardness of 55 Shore D or less and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymer. The high modulus HNP composition has a material hardness of 45 Shore D or greater and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The cover preferably consists of a single cover layer.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to a region 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness in a region 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition, and the thickness, material hardness and material melt flow rate (MFR) of the intermediate layer, as well as the hardness difference between the surface of the solid core and the intermediate layer are set within specific ranges.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The respective initial velocities (m/s) of the core, a sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball satisfy formula A below, and the respective deflections (mm) of the core, the sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball, when compressed under a final load of 130 kg from an initial load of 10 kgf, satisfy formula B below: (initial velocity of core?initial velocity of sphere I)2+(initial velocity of sphere I?initial velocity of golf ball)2<0.40; ??Formula A: 0.30<(deflection of core?deflection of sphere I)2+(deflection of sphere I?deflection of golf ball)2<0.70.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: A golf ball including a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer between the core and the outer cover layer. The thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a solvent, free radical initiator, and a reactive co-agent comprising a metal salt of an acrylic or methacrylic acid, a mono- or multi-functional acrylate or methacrylate, or having the chemical structure where R=linear, branched, or aromatic C1-C14 and n=1-5, such that the hardness of the outer surface is different than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive or negative hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.