JP5946302B2 - Golf ball - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a golf ball having a large flight distance on driver shots, and more particularly to an improvement in the core of a golf ball.

  As a method for extending the flight distance of a driver shot golf ball, for example, there are a method using a core having high resilience and a method using a core having a hardness distribution in which the hardness increases from the center of the core toward the surface. The former has the effect of increasing the initial velocity of the golf ball, and the latter has the effect of increasing the launch angle and reducing the spin. A golf ball having a high launch angle and a low spin has a large flight distance.

  As techniques for increasing the resilience of the core, for example, there are Patent Documents 1 to 8. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, with respect to 100 parts by weight of rubber, zinc acrylate as a co-crosslinking agent, palmitic acid, stearic acid or myristic acid as a co-crosslinking aid, and zinc oxide as a co-crosslinking aid are reacted. A solid golf ball having an inner core blended with a speed retarder is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses that metal compound 7 forms a salt by reacting with 15 to 35 parts by weight of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and 100% by weight of base rubber, and reacting with the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid. A solid golf ball obtained from a rubber composition containing -60 parts by weight and 1-10 parts by weight of a higher fatty acid metal salt is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 4, a filler, an organic peroxide, an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or a metal salt thereof are essential components, and a copper salt of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid is added to the base rubber. A golf ball characterized by comprising a cross-linked molded product of a rubber composition as a constituent element is disclosed.

  Patent Document 5 discloses a base elastomer selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene and a mixture of polybutadiene with other elastomers, at least one metal salt of an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, a free radical initiator, and a non-conjugated diene. A golf ball, or a component thereof, molded from a composition containing any of these monomers is disclosed.

In Patent Document 6, a master batch of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or a metal salt thereof in which an unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or a metal salt thereof is mixed with a rubber material is prepared in advance, and the rubber material is used using the master batch. A method for producing a golf ball comprising a heat-molded product of the rubber composition as a component of a golf ball, wherein the master batch of the unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or a metal salt thereof is A method for producing a golf ball comprising the following (A) to (C) is disclosed.
(A) A polybutadiene having a vinyl content of 0 to 2% and a cis 1,4-bond content of 80% or more and having an active end, the active end being modified with at least one alkoxysilane compound 20-100% by mass
(B) Diene rubber other than the above (A) rubber component 80 to 0% by mass
[The above numbers indicate% by mass when the total amount of (A) and (B) is taken as 100. ]
(C) Unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or metal salt thereof

  Patent Document 7 discloses a dry blend product of (A) a base rubber, (B) a filler, (C) an organic peroxide, and (D) a metal-containing organic sulfur compound and a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid. And / or a rubber composition for a solid rubber characterized by blending a solvent slurry blend.

  Patent Document 8 has a solid core made of a composition having a diene rubber, 6 parts or more of a metal fatty acid salt, a cis-trans catalyst, and an organic peroxide initiator in an amount of 1.2 parts or less, and a cover. A golf ball characterized by the above is disclosed.

  For example, Patent Documents 9 to 12 disclose a core having a hardness distribution. In Patent Document 9, a two-piece golf ball comprising a core formed from a rubber composition containing a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide, and a cover, the core is measured by a JIS-C type hardness meter. In the display, it has a hardness distribution of a center hardness of 1:58 to 73, a hardness of 5 to 10 mm from the center of 2:65 to 75, a hardness of 15 to 15 mm of the center of 3:74 to 82, and a surface hardness of 4:76 to 84. A two-piece golf ball is disclosed in which the hardness 2 is substantially constant within the hardness range and the other satisfies the relationship 1 <2 <3 ≦ 4.

  In Patent Document 10, in a solid golf ball having a solid core and a cover layer covering the solid core, the solid core contains 60% or more of cis-1,4-bonds and uses a rare earth element-based catalyst. 0.1 to 5 parts by mass of an organic sulfur compound, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, an inorganic filler, and an antiaging agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber base material containing 60 to 100% by mass of a polybutadiene rubber synthesized in this manner The deformation of the solid core when it is loaded from an initial load of 10 kgf to a final load of 130 kgf is 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and the solid core has a hardness distribution shown in the table below. A golf ball is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 11, in a solid golf ball having a solid core and a cover layer covering the solid core, the solid core contains 60% or more of cis-1,4-bonds and uses a rare earth element-based catalyst. A rubber composition containing 0.1 to 5 parts by mass of an organic sulfur compound, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, and an inorganic filler with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber base material containing 60 to 100 parts by mass of a polybutadiene rubber synthesized in this manner. A solid golf ball which is formed from a product, has a deformation amount of 2.0 to 4.0 mm when the solid core is loaded from an initial load of 10 kgf to a final load of 130 kgf, and the solid core has a hardness distribution shown in the table below. It is disclosed.

  Patent Document 12 discloses a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an envelope layer covering the core, an intermediate layer covering the core, and a cover covering the core and having a plurality of dimples formed on the surface. The core is formed of a rubber material as a main material, the hardness gradually increases from the center of the core to the core surface, the difference in hardness between the core center and the core surface is 15 or more in terms of JIS-C hardness, and the core center When the average value of the cross-sectional hardness between the position about 15 mm away from the core and the core center is (I) and the cross-sectional hardness at a position about 7.5 mm away from the core center is (II), the difference in both hardness (I) − ( II) is a JIS-C hardness within ± 2, and the hardness of the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover satisfies the condition of cover hardness> intermediate layer hardness> enclosed layer hardness. Golf bow There has been disclosed.

JP-A-61-37178 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-113475 JP-A-61-253079 JP 2008-212681 A Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2008-523952 JP 2009-119256 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-226682 JP 2006-297108 A JP-A-6-154357 JP 2008-194471 A JP 2008-194473 A JP 2010-253268 A

  A spherical core having an outer-hard / inner-soft structure whose surface hardness is higher than the center hardness tends to decrease the resilience. Therefore, it has been difficult to produce a spherical core having high resilience and an outer-hard / inner-soft structure. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a spherical core having a high resilience and an outer-hard / inner-soft structure.

  The golf ball of the present invention is a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core, the spherical core comprising (a) a base rubber and (b) carbon as a co-crosslinking agent. An α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, and (E) As an organic sulfur compound, a halogen-substituted thiophenol and / or a metal salt thereof is contained, and (b) only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent. When it contains, it is formed from the rubber composition which contains the (f) metal compound further, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  When the golf ball of the present invention is configured as described above, the spherical core has an outer-hard / inner-soft structure, and has high resilience. A spherical core with an outer-hard / inner-soft structure reduces the spin rate on driver shots. A spherical core with high resilience increases the initial velocity of the golf ball. Since the golf ball of the present invention has high resilience (high initial velocity) and low spin rate on driver shots, the flight distance on driver shots increases.

  The reason why the core surface hardness of the spherical core of the golf ball of the present invention is higher than the core center hardness is considered as follows. (B) The metal salt of an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, which is blended in the rubber composition, is considered to form an ion cluster inside the core and to metal-crosslink the rubber molecular chain. Yes. By mixing (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof with the rubber composition, (d) the carboxylic acid and / or salt thereof is (b) having 3 carbon atoms. Exchange ion clusters and cations formed by metal salts of -8 α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, and cleave metal bridges by metal salts of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms To do. This cation exchange reaction is likely to occur at the core center where the core internal temperature is high, and is less likely to occur toward the surface. This is because the heat of reaction of the curing reaction of the rubber composition tends to accumulate at the core center, and the core internal temperature at the time of molding the core is high at the core center and decreases toward the core surface. That is, (d) the cutting of the metal bridge by the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is likely to occur at the center of the core and hardly to the surface. As a result, the crosslink density inside the core increases from the core center toward the surface, and it is considered that the hardness increases from the core center toward the surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a golf ball having a great flight distance on driver shots.

1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a golf ball according to an embodiment of the present invention. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core. A graph showing the hardness distribution of the core.

  The golf ball of the present invention is a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core, the spherical core comprising (a) a base rubber and (b) carbon as a co-crosslinking agent. An α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, and (E) As an organic sulfur compound, a halogen-substituted thiophenol and / or a metal salt thereof is contained, and (b) only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent. When it contains, it is formed from the rubber composition which contains the (f) metal compound further, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  First, (a) base rubber used in the present invention will be described. (A) As the base rubber, natural rubber and / or synthetic rubber can be used. For example, polybutadiene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene polybutadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), etc. are used. it can. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, a high cis polybutadiene having 40% by mass or more, preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, which is particularly advantageous for repulsion is suitable.

  The high-cis polybutadiene preferably has a 1,2-vinyl bond content of 2% by mass or less, more preferably 1.7% by mass or less, and still more preferably 1.5% by mass or less. If the content of 1,2-vinyl bond is too large, the resilience may be lowered.

  The high cis polybutadiene is preferably synthesized with a rare earth element-based catalyst. In particular, the use of a neodymium catalyst using a neodymium compound which is a lanthanum series rare earth element compound has a high content of 1,4-cis bonds. , 1,2-vinyl bond is preferred because a polybutadiene rubber having a low content can be obtained with excellent polymerization activity.

The high-cis polybutadiene preferably has a Mooney viscosity (ML _{1 + 4} (100 ° C.)) of 30 or more, more preferably 32 or more, still more preferably 35 or more, and preferably 140 or less, more preferably 120 or less, more preferably 100 or less, and most preferably 80 or less. The Mooney viscosity (ML _{1 + 4} (100 ° C.)) referred to in the present invention is the condition of using an L rotor according to JIS K6300, preheating time 1 minute, rotor rotation time 4 minutes, and 100 ° C. It is the value measured below.

  The high-cis polybutadiene preferably has a molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn (Mw: weight average molecular weight, Mn: number average molecular weight) of 2.0 or more, more preferably 2.2 or more, and still more preferably 2. It is 4 or more, most preferably 2.6 or more, and preferably 6.0 or less, more preferably 5.0 or less, still more preferably 4.0 or less, and most preferably 3.4 or less. If the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of the high cis polybutadiene is too small, the workability is lowered, and if it is too large, the resilience may be lowered. The molecular weight distribution was determined by gel permeation chromatography (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, “HLC-8120GPC”), using a differential refractometer as a detector, column: GMHHXL (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), column temperature: 40 ° C., mobile phase. : Measured under conditions of tetrahydrofuran and calculated as a standard polystyrene equivalent value.

  Next, (b) an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof will be described. (B) The α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or the metal salt thereof is blended into the rubber composition as a co-crosslinking agent and grafted to the base rubber molecular chain. By polymerizing, it has a function of cross-linking rubber molecules. When the rubber composition used in the present invention contains only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent, the rubber composition contains (f) a metal compound as an essential component Is further contained. An α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent is obtained by neutralizing an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms with a metal compound in the rubber composition. This is because substantially the same effect as that obtained when an acid metal salt is used can be obtained. In the case where an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and a metal salt thereof are used in combination as a co-crosslinking agent, (f) a metal compound may be used as an optional component.

  Examples of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, and crotonic acid.

  Examples of the metal constituting the metal salt of an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms include monovalent metal ions such as sodium, potassium and lithium; magnesium, calcium, zinc, barium, cadmium and the like A divalent metal ion; a trivalent metal ion such as aluminum; and other ions such as tin and zirconium. The said metal component can also be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types. Among these, as said metal component, bivalent metals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, barium, cadmium, are preferable. This is because by using a divalent metal salt of an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, metal crosslinking is likely to occur between rubber molecules. In particular, as the divalent metal salt, zinc acrylate is preferable because the resilience of the obtained golf ball is increased. The α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  (B) The content of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or the metal salt thereof is preferably 15 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the base rubber (a), 20 mass parts or more are more preferable, 50 mass parts or less are preferable, 45 mass parts or less are more preferable, and 35 mass parts or less are further more preferable. (B) When the content of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or the metal salt thereof is less than 15 parts by mass, the member formed from the rubber composition has an appropriate hardness. In addition, the amount of the crosslinking initiator (c) described later must be increased, and the resilience of the golf ball tends to decrease. On the other hand, when the content of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or the metal salt thereof exceeds 50 parts by mass, the member formed from the rubber composition becomes too hard, and golf There is a possibility that the hit feeling of the ball is lowered.

  (C) A crosslinking initiator is blended in order to crosslink (a) the base rubber component. (C) As a crosslinking initiator, an organic peroxide is suitable. Specifically, the organic peroxide is dicumyl peroxide, 1,1-bis (t-butylperoxy) -3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di Examples thereof include organic peroxides such as (t-butylperoxy) hexane and di-t-butyl peroxide. These organic peroxides may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Of these, dicumyl peroxide is preferably used.

  (C) As for content of a crosslinking initiator, 0.2 mass part or more is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of (a) base rubber, More preferably, it is 0.5 mass part or more, Comprising: 5.0 mass Part or less, more preferably 2.5 parts by weight or less. If the amount is less than 0.2 parts by mass, the member formed from the rubber composition tends to be too soft, and the resilience of the golf ball tends to decrease. If the amount exceeds 5.0 parts by mass, the member is formed from the rubber composition. In order to make the member appropriate hardness, it is necessary to reduce the amount of the (b) co-crosslinking agent described above, and there is a possibility that the resilience of the golf ball is insufficient or the durability is deteriorated.

  Next, (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof will be described. The (d) carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or the salt thereof used in the present invention is (b) α, β-unsaturated having 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the core at the time of core molding. It is thought that it has the effect | action which cut | disconnects the metal bridge | crosslinking by the metal salt of carboxylic acid.

  The carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is preferably a carboxylic acid having 15 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, and a carboxylic acid having 15 to 28 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof. Is more preferable. In addition, (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof includes (b) an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a salt used as a co-crosslinking agent. Or the metal salt shall not be contained.

(D) The carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is an aliphatic carboxylic acid (sometimes simply referred to as “fatty acid” in the present invention) and / or a salt thereof, or an aromatic carboxylic acid. Either an acid and / or a salt thereof may be used, but an aliphatic carboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof is preferable.

  Specific examples (IUPAC name) of the saturated fatty acids include butanoic acid (C4), pentanoic acid (C5), hexanoic acid (C6), heptanoic acid (C7), octanoic acid (C8), nonanoic acid (C9), decane. Acid (C10), undecanoic acid (C11), dodecanoic acid (C12), tridecanoic acid (C13), tetradecanoic acid (C14), pentadecanoic acid (C15), hexadecanoic acid (C16), heptadecanoic acid (C17), octadecanoic acid ( C18), nonadecanoic acid (C19), icosanoic acid (C20), heicosanoic acid (C21), docosanoic acid (C22), tricosanoic acid (C23), tetracosanoic acid (C24), pentacosanoic acid (C25), hexacosanoic acid (C26) Heptacosanoic acid (C27), octacosanoic acid (C28), nonacosanoic acid (C29), triacon Such as phosphate (C30) can be mentioned.

  Examples of unsaturated fatty acids (IUPAC name) include butenoic acid (C4), pentenoic acid (C5), hexenoic acid (C6), heptenoic acid (C7), octenoic acid (C8), nonenoic acid (C9), decene. Acid (C10), undecenoic acid (C11), dodecenoic acid (C12), tridecenoic acid (C13), tetradecenoic acid (C14), pentadecenoic acid (C15), hexadecenoic acid (C16), heptadecenoic acid (C17), octadecenoic acid ( C18), nonadecenoic acid (C19), icosenoic acid (C20), henicosenoic acid (C21), docosenoic acid (C22), tricosenoic acid (C23), tetracosenoic acid (C24), pentacosenoic acid (C25), hexacosenoic acid (C26) Heptacosenic acid (C27), Octacosenic acid (C28), Nonacosenic acid (C29), Triaconte Such as acid (C30) can be mentioned.

  Specific examples (common names) of the fatty acids include, for example, butyric acid (C4), valeric acid (C5), caproic acid (C6), enanthic acid (C7), caprylic acid (C8), pelargonic acid (C9), caprin Acid (C10), lauric acid (C12), myristic acid (C14), myristoleic acid (C14), pentadecylic acid (C15), palmitic acid (C16), palmitoleic acid (C16), margaric acid (C17), stearic acid (C18), elaidic acid (C18), vaccenic acid (C18), oleic acid (C18), linoleic acid (C18), linolenic acid (C18), 12-hydroxystearic acid (C18), arachidic acid (C20), gadole Acid (C20), arachidonic acid (C20), eicosenoic acid (C20), behenic acid (C22), erucic acid (C22 , Lignoceric acid (C24), nervonic acid (C24), cerotic acid (C26), montanic acid (C28), it is mentioned melissic acid (C30). The said fatty acid can also be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types. Among these, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, or oleic acid is preferable as the fatty acid.

  The aromatic carboxylic acid is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound having an aromatic ring and a carboxyl group. Specific examples of the aromatic carboxylic acid include, for example, benzoic acid (C7), phthalic acid (C8), isophthalic acid (C8), terephthalic acid (C8), hememilitic acid (benzene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid) (C9), trimellitic acid (benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid) (C9), trimesic acid (benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) (C9), merophanic acid (benzene-1,2, 3,4-tetracarboxylic acid (C10), planitic acid (benzene-1,2,3,5-tetracarboxylic acid) (C10), pyromellitic acid (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid) ) (C10), merit acid (benzenehexacarboxylic acid) (C12), diphenic acid (biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid) (C12), toluic acid (methylbenzoic acid) (C ), Xylyl acid (C9), prenylic acid (2,3,4-trimethylbenzoic acid) (C10), γ-isodururic acid (2,3,5-trimethylbenzoic acid) (C10), duric acid (2,4 , 5-trimethylbenzoic acid) (C10), β-isoduric acid (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid) (C10), α-isodururic acid (3,4,5-trimethylbenzoic acid) (C10), cumin Acid (4-isopropylbenzoic acid) (C10), Ubitic acid (5-methylisophthalic acid) (C9), α-Toluic acid (phenylacetic acid) (C8), Hydroatropic acid (2-phenylpropanoic acid) (C9), And hydrocinnamic acid (3-phenylpropanoic acid) (C9).

  Examples of the aromatic carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, or an oxo group include, for example, salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), anisic acid (methoxybenzoic acid) (C8), cresotic acid ( Hydroxy (methyl) benzoic acid) (C8), o-homosalicylic acid (2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzoic acid) (C8), m-homosalicylic acid (2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid) (C8), p -Homosalicylic acid (2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzoic acid) (C8), o-pyrocatechuic acid (2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), β-resorcylic acid (2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7) ), Γ-resorcylic acid (2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), α-res Lucylic acid (3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid) (C8), isovanillic acid (3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid) (C8), veratrum Acid (3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) (C9), o-veratormic acid (2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid) (C9), orthelic acid (2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid) (C8), m-hemipic acid (4,5-dimethoxyphthalic acid) (C10), gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) (C7), syringic acid (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid) (C9), asaronic acid (2,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid) (C10), mandelic acid (hydroxy (phenyl) acetic acid) (C8), vanylmandelic acid (hydroxy ( -Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C9), homoanisic acid ((4-methoxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C9), homogentisic acid ((2,5-dihydroxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C8), homoprotocatechuic acid (( 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C8), homovanillic acid ((4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C9), homoisovanillic acid ((3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) acetic acid) ( C9), homobellatrumic acid ((3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C10), o-homobellatrumic acid ((2,3-dimethoxyphenyl) acetic acid) (C10), homophthalic acid (2- (carboxymethyl) benzoic acid ) (C9), homoisophthalic acid (3- (carboxymethyl) benzoic acid) (C9), homoterephthalic acid (4- (Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid) (C9), phthalonic acid (2- (carboxycarbonyl) benzoic acid) (C9), isophthalonic acid (3- (carboxycarbonyl) benzoic acid) (C9), terephthalonic acid (4- (carboxyl) Carbonyl) benzoic acid) (C9), benzylic acid (hydroxydiphenylacetic acid) (C14), atrolactic acid (2-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid) (C9), tropic acid (3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid) ) (C9), mellilotic acid (3- (2-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid) (C9), furoleto acid (3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid) (C9), hydrocaffeic acid (3- (3 4-dihydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid) (C9), hydroferulic acid (3- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) Nyl) propanoic acid) (C10), hydroisoferulic acid (3- (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) propanoic acid) (C10), p-coumaric acid (3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid) ( C9), umberic acid (3- (2,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid) (C9), caffeic acid (3- (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid) (C9), ferulic acid (3- (4 -Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) acrylic acid (C10), isoferulic acid (3- (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) acrylic acid) (C10), sinapinic acid (3- (4-hydroxy-3,5 -Dimethoxyphenyl) acrylic acid) (C11) and the like.

  (D) As a carboxylate, the salt of the carboxylic acid mentioned above can be used. Examples of the cation component of the carboxylate include metal ions, ammonium ions, and organic cations. Examples of the metal ion include monovalent metal ions such as sodium, potassium, lithium and silver; divalent metal ions such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, barium, cadmium, copper, cobalt, nickel and manganese; aluminum and iron And other ions such as tin, zirconium, and titanium. The said cation component can also be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types.

  The organic cation is a cation having a carbon chain. The organic cation is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include organic ammonium ions. Examples of the organic ammonium ion include primary ammonium ions such as stearyl ammonium ion, hexyl ammonium ion, octyl ammonium ion, and 2-ethylhexyl ammonium ion, and secondary such as dodecyl (lauryl) ammonium ion and octadecyl (stearyl) ammonium ion. Ammonium ion; tertiary ammonium ion such as trioctyl ammonium ion; quaternary ammonium ion such as dioctyl dimethyl ammonium ion and distearyl dimethyl ammonium ion. These organic cations may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In addition, carbon number of a C4-C30 carboxylate is carbon number of a carboxylic acid component, and does not include the carbon number in an organic cation.

  (D) The content of the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or the salt thereof is preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more, more preferably 5 parts per 100 parts by mass of the base rubber. 0.0 part by mass or more, more preferably 7.5 parts by mass or more, particularly preferably 10.0 parts by mass or more, preferably 40 parts by mass or less, more preferably 20 parts by mass or less, and still more preferably 16 parts by mass. It is below mass parts. If the content is too small, (d) the effect of adding a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is not sufficient, and the degree of flexibility of the outer core in the spherical core may be reduced. Moreover, when there is too much content, there exists a possibility that the hardness of the core obtained may fall entirely and a resilience may fall. The surface of zinc acrylate used as a co-crosslinking agent may be treated with a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof in order to improve dispersibility in rubber. When using zinc acrylate surface-treated with a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, in the present invention, a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a surface treatment agent is used. The amount of the salt is included in (d) the content of the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or the salt thereof. For example, when 25 parts by mass of zinc acrylate having a surface treatment amount of carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is 10% by mass, carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms is used. And / or the amount of the salt is 2.5 parts by mass, the amount of the zinc acrylate is 22.5 parts by mass, and (d) the content of the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or the salt thereof As 2.5 parts by mass.

  The rubber composition used in the present invention contains (e) a thiophenol substituted with a halogen and / or a metal salt thereof as an organic sulfur compound. When the rubber composition contains (e) an organic sulfur compound containing a thiophenol substituted with a halogen and / or a metal salt thereof, the resilience of the spherical core is increased.

  The thiophenol substituted with halogen is a derivative of thiophenol in which at least one of hydrogens of the benzene ring of thiophenol is substituted with halogen. Examples of the halogen include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Chlorine or bromine is preferable, and chlorine is more preferable. Examples of the thiophenol substituted with halogen include 4-fluorothiophenol, 2,4-difluorothiophenol, 2,5-difluorothiophenol, 2,6-difluorothiophenol, 2,4,5-triphenol. Thiophenols substituted with a fluoro group such as fluorothiophenol, 2,4,5,6-tetrafluorothiophenol, pentafluorothiophenol; 2-chlorothiophenol, 4-chlorothiophenol, 2,4-dichloro Chloro groups such as thiophenol, 2,5-dichlorothiophenol, 2,6-dichlorothiophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol, 2,4,5,6-tetrachlorothiophenol, pentachlorothiophenol Substituted thiophenols; 4-bromothiopheno 2,4-dibromothiophenol, 2,5-dibromothiophenol, 2,6-dibromothiophenol, 2,4,5-tribromothiophenol, 2,4,5,6-tetrabromothiophenol, penta Thiophenols substituted with a bromo group such as bromothiophenol; 4-iodothiophenol, 2,4-diiodothiophenol, 2,5-diiodothiophenol, 2,6-diiodothiophenol, 2, Mention may be made of thiophenols substituted with an iodo group such as 4,5-triiodothiophenol, 2,4,5,6-tetraiodothiophenol, pentaiodothiophenol.

  Examples of metal salts of thiophenols include monovalent metal salts such as sodium, lithium, potassium, copper (I), silver (I), zinc, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, titanium (II), manganese Bivalent metal salts such as (II), iron (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), zirconium (II), tin (II) and the like can be mentioned.

  From the viewpoint of obtaining a spherical core having high resilience, (e) the organic sulfur compound is preferably a thiophenol substituted with 1 to 4 halogens or a metal salt thereof. (E) As a preferable specific example of the organic sulfur compound, 2,4-dichlorothiophenol, 2,6-dichlorothiophenol, or 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol is preferable, and 2,6- More preferred is dichlorothiophenol or 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol. 2,6-dichlorothiophenol or 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol has a low number of chlorine and is preferable for the environment. In particular, 2,6-dichlorothiophenol or 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol is preferable because the outer-hard / inner-soft effect is greater than these metal salts.

  (E) The said organic sulfur compound can be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types.

  (E) The content of the organic sulfur compound is preferably 0.05 parts by mass or more, more preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more, and 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the (a) base rubber. Part or less, more preferably 2.0 parts by weight or less. If it is less than 0.05 parts by mass, the effect of adding (e) an organic sulfur compound cannot be obtained, and the resilience of the golf ball may not be improved. On the other hand, if the amount exceeds 5.0 parts by mass, the amount of compressive deformation of the resulting golf ball increases, and the resilience may be reduced.

  When the rubber composition used in the present invention contains only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent, the rubber composition contains (f) a metal compound as an essential component. Furthermore, it contains. (F) The metal compound is not particularly limited as long as (b) the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms can be neutralized in the rubber composition. (F) Examples of the metal compound include magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, copper hydroxide, and other metal hydroxides; magnesium oxide, calcium oxide. Metal oxides such as zinc oxide and copper oxide; metal carbonates such as magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lithium carbonate and potassium carbonate. (F) The metal compound is preferably a divalent metal compound, more preferably a zinc compound. This is because the divalent metal compound reacts with the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms to form a metal bridge. Moreover, a golf ball with high resilience can be obtained by using a zinc compound. (F) A metal compound may be used independently and may use 2 or more types together.

  The rubber composition used in the present invention may contain additives such as pigments, fillers for weight adjustment, anti-aging agents, peptizers, softeners and the like, if necessary. Examples of the pigment blended in the rubber composition include a white pigment, a blue pigment, and a purple pigment.

  As the white pigment, titanium oxide is preferably used. The type of titanium oxide is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a rutile type because it has good concealability. Further, the content of titanium oxide is preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more, more preferably 2 parts by mass or more, and preferably 8 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of (a) the base rubber. Preferably it is 5 mass parts or less.

  It is also a preferred embodiment that the rubber composition contains a white pigment and a blue pigment. The blue pigment is blended to make white appear vivid, and examples thereof include ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, and phthalocyanine blue. Examples of the purple pigment include anthraquinone violet, dioxazine violet, and methyl violet.

  The content of the blue pigment is preferably 0.001 part by mass or more, more preferably 0.05 part by mass or more, and 0.2 part by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of (a) the base rubber. Preferably, it is 0.1 part by mass or less. If it is less than 0.001 part by mass, the bluish color is inadequate and looks yellowish, and if it exceeds 0.2 part by mass, it becomes too blue and the vivid white appearance is lost.

  The filler used in the rubber composition is mainly blended as a weight regulator for adjusting the weight of the golf ball obtained as a final product, and may be blended as necessary. Examples of the filler include inorganic fillers such as zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, tungsten powder, and molybdenum powder. Particularly preferred as the filler is zinc oxide. It is thought that zinc oxide functions as a vulcanization aid and increases the hardness of the entire spherical core. The content of the filler is preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more, more preferably 1 part by mass or more, preferably 30 parts by mass or less, and 25 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the base rubber. More preferred is 20 parts by mass or less. When the filler content is less than 0.5 parts by mass, it is difficult to adjust the weight. When the filler content exceeds 30 parts by mass, the weight fraction of the rubber component tends to be small and the resilience tends to decrease.

  The content of the antioxidant is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 1 part by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the base rubber (a). Moreover, it is preferable that content of a peptizer is 0.1 to 5 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of (a) base rubber.

The rubber composition used in the present invention comprises (a) a base rubber, (b) an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (D) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, (e) a thiophenol substituted with a halogen as an organic sulfur compound or a metal salt thereof, and other additives as required Etc. are mixed and kneaded. The method of kneading is not particularly limited, and for example, a kneading roll, a Banbury mixer, a kneader or the like may be used.

  The spherical core of the golf ball of the present invention can be obtained by molding the kneaded rubber composition in a mold. The temperature at which the spherical core is molded is preferably 120 ° C or higher, more preferably 150 ° C or higher, further preferably 160 ° C or higher, and preferably 170 ° C or lower. When the molding temperature exceeds 170 ° C., the core surface hardness tends to decrease. The pressure during molding is preferably 2.9 MPa to 11.8 MPa. The molding time is preferably 10 minutes to 60 minutes.

The spherical core has a linear approximation curve R ² obtained by a least square method when plotting the hardness measured at 9 points equally divided by 12.5% of the core radius and the distance from the core center. It is preferably 0.90 or more. As for the hardness of the spherical core, the JIS-C hardness is measured at 9 points obtained by equally dividing an arbitrary radius of the spherical core at intervals of 12.5%. That is, the distance from the core center is 0% (core center), 12.5%, 25%, 37.5%, 50%, 62.5%, 75%, 87.5%, 100% (core surface) JIS-C hardness is measured at 9 points. Next, a graph is created by plotting the measurement results with the JIS-C hardness measured as described above as the vertical axis and the distance (%) from the core center as the horizontal axis. In the present invention, R ² of a linear approximation curve obtained by the least square method from the plot, is preferably 0.90 or more. R ² of the linear approximation curve obtained by the method of least squares indicates the linearity of the obtained plot. In the present invention, if R ² is 0.90 or more, it means that the hardness distribution of the spherical core is substantially linear. A golf ball using a spherical core having a substantially linear hardness distribution has a reduced spin rate on driver shots. As a result, the flight distance of the driver shot increases. R ^{2 of the} linear approximation curve is more preferably 0.93 or more, and further preferably 0.95 or more. By increasing the linearity, the flight distance of the driver shot becomes larger.

  The hardness difference (Hs-Ho) between the surface hardness Hs and the center hardness Ho of the spherical core is JIS-C hardness, preferably 25 or more, more preferably 30 or more, preferably 80 or less, more preferably 70 or less, 60 or less is more preferable. When the hardness difference between the core surface and the core center is large, a golf ball having a large launch angle and a low spin distance can be obtained.

  The center hardness Ho of the spherical core is preferably JIS-C hardness of 30 or more, more preferably 40 or more, and further preferably 45 or more. If the central hardness Ho of the spherical core is less than 30 in terms of JIS-C hardness, the spherical core may become too soft and the resilience may decrease. Further, the center hardness Ho of the spherical core is preferably 70 or less in JIS-C hardness, more preferably 65 or less, and further preferably 60 or less. This is because if the center hardness Ho exceeds 70 in JIS-C hardness, the center hardness Ho becomes too hard and the shot feeling tends to decrease.

  The surface hardness Hs of the spherical core is JIS-C hardness, preferably 78 or more, more preferably 80 or more, preferably 100 or less, and more preferably 95 or less. By setting the surface hardness of the spherical core to 78 or more in terms of JIS-C hardness, the spherical core does not become too soft and good resilience can be obtained. Further, by setting the surface hardness of the spherical core to JIS-C hardness of 100 or less, the spherical core does not become too hard and a good shot feeling can be obtained.

  The diameter of the spherical core is preferably 34.8 mm or more, more preferably 36.8 mm or more, further preferably 38.8 mm or more, preferably 42.2 mm or less, more preferably 41.8 mm or less, and still more preferably. 41.2 mm or less, and most preferably 40.8 mm or less. If the diameter of the spherical core is 34.8 mm or more, the cover will not be too thick and the resilience will be better. On the other hand, if the diameter of the spherical core is 42.2 mm or less, the cover is not too thin, and the function of the cover is more exhibited.

  When the spherical core has a diameter of 34.8 mm to 42.2 mm, the amount of compressive deformation (the amount by which the core shrinks in the compression direction) from when the initial load 98 N is applied to when the final load 1275 N is applied is 2.0 mm. The above is preferable, More preferably, it is 2.8 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, More preferably, it is 5.0 mm or less. If the amount of compressive deformation is 2.0 mm or more, the feel at impact is better, and if it is 6.0 mm or less, the resilience is better.

  The cover of the golf ball of the present invention is formed from a cover composition containing a resin component. Examples of the resin component include an ionomer resin, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer marketed by BASF Japan Co., Ltd. under the trade name “Elastollan (registered trademark)”, and a trade name “Pebax (registered trademark)” from Arkema Co., Ltd. , Thermoplastic polyester elastomer marketed by Toray DuPont Co., Ltd. under the trade name “Hytrel®”, and trade name “Lavalon” from Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Ltd. ) "And the like are commercially available.

  Examples of the ionomer resin include a resin obtained by neutralizing at least a part of a carboxyl group in a binary copolymer of an olefin and an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms with a metal ion. And a ternary copolymer of an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, wherein at least a part of the carboxyl group is neutralized with a metal ion, or And mixtures thereof. The olefin is preferably an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene and the like, and ethylene is particularly preferable. Examples of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, and crotonic acid. Acrylic acid or methacrylic acid is particularly preferable. Examples of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester include methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl ester and the like such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid and maleic acid, and particularly acrylic acid ester. Or a methacrylic acid ester is preferable. Among these, as the ionomer resin, a metal ion neutralized product of an ethylene- (meth) acrylic acid binary copolymer, an ethylene- (meth) acrylic acid- (meth) acrylic acid ester terpolymer, A metal ion neutralized product is preferred.

  Specific examples of the ionomer resin are illustrated by trade names, such as “Himilan (registered trademark)” (for example, Himilan 1555 (Na), Himilan 1557 (Zn), Himilan, which is commercially available from Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.). 1605 (Na), HiMilan 1706 (Zn), HiMilan 1707 (Na), HiMilan AM3711 (Mg), etc., and terpolymer ionomer resins include HiMilan 1856 (Na), HiMilan 1855 (Zn), etc.) ".

  Further, ionomer resins commercially available from DuPont include “Surlyn (registered trademark)” (for example, Surlyn 8945 (Na), Surlyn 9945 (Zn), Surlyn 8140 (Na), Surlyn 8150 (Na), Surlyn 9120 (Zn), Surlyn 9150 (Zn), Surlyn 6910 (Mg), Surlyn 6120 (Mg), Surlyn 7930 (Li), Surlyn 7940 (Li), Surlyn AD8546 (Li) and the like, and terpolymers Examples of the ionomer resin include Surlyn 8120 (Na), Surlyn 8320 (Na), Surlyn 9320 (Zn), Surlyn 6320 (Mg), HPF1000 (Mg), HPF2000 (Mg), and the like.

  Examples of ionomer resins commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Ltd. include “Iotek (registered trademark)” (for example, Iotech 8000 (Na), Iotech 8030 (Na), Iotech 7010 (Zn), Iotech 7030 ( Zn) and the like, and examples of the ternary copolymer ionomer resin include Iotech 7510 (Zn) and Iotech 7520 (Zn)).

  Note that Na, Zn, Li, Mg, and the like described in parentheses after the trade name of the ionomer resin indicate the metal species of these neutralized metal ions. The ionomer resins may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

  The cover composition constituting the golf ball cover of the present invention preferably contains a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer or an ionomer resin as a resin component. When an ionomer resin is used, it is also preferable to use a thermoplastic styrene elastomer in combination. The content of the polyurethane or ionomer resin in the resin component of the cover composition is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, and further preferably 70% by mass or more.

  In addition to the resin component described above, the cover composition includes a pigment component such as a white pigment (for example, titanium oxide), a blue pigment, and a red pigment, a weight adjusting agent such as zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, and barium sulfate, a dispersant, You may contain anti-aging agent, a ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, a fluorescent material, or a fluorescent brightening agent in the range which does not impair the performance of a cover.

  The content of the white pigment (for example, titanium oxide) is preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more, more preferably 1 part by mass or more, and 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin component constituting the cover. The following is preferable, and more preferably 8 parts by mass or less. By setting the content of the white pigment to 0.5 parts by mass or more, the cover can be concealed. Moreover, it is because durability of the cover obtained may fall when content of a white pigment exceeds 10 mass parts.

  The slab hardness of the cover composition is preferably set as appropriate according to the desired performance of the golf ball. For example, in the case of a distance type golf ball that places importance on the flight distance, the slab hardness of the cover composition is preferably 50 or more, more preferably 55 or more, more preferably 80 or less, and more preferably 70 or less in Shore D hardness. By setting the slab hardness of the cover composition to 50 or more, a golf ball having a high launch angle and a low spin can be obtained in a driver shot and an iron shot, and the flight distance is increased. Further, by setting the slab hardness of the cover composition to 80 or less, a golf ball having excellent durability can be obtained. In the case of a spin-type golf ball where controllability is important, the slab hardness of the cover composition is Shore D hardness, preferably less than 50, preferably 20 or more, and more preferably 25 or more. If the slab hardness of the cover composition is less than 50 in Shore D hardness, the core of the present invention can increase the flight distance on the driver shot, and the spin amount of the approach shot increases, and it tends to stop on the green. A golf ball is obtained. Moreover, by setting the slab hardness to 20 or more, the scratch resistance is improved. In the case of a plurality of cover layers, the slab hardness of the cover composition constituting each layer may be the same or different as long as it is within the above range.

  As a method for molding the cover of the golf ball of the present invention, for example, a hollow shell-like shell is molded from the cover composition, and the core is covered with a plurality of shells and compression molded (preferably, the cover composition And a method in which a hollow shell-shaped half shell is molded from a product and the core is covered with two half shells and compression molded), or a cover composition is directly injection molded on the core.

  When the cover is molded by the compression molding method, the half shell can be molded by either the compression molding method or the injection molding method, but the compression molding method is preferred. The conditions for compression molding the cover composition into a half shell include, for example, a pressure of 1 MPa or more and 20 MPa or less and a flow start temperature of the cover composition of −20 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less. A molding temperature can be mentioned. By setting the molding conditions, a half shell having a uniform thickness can be molded. As a method for forming a cover using a half shell, for example, a method in which a core is covered with two half shells and compression-molded can be mentioned. As a condition for compression-molding the half shell into a cover, for example, at a molding pressure of 0.5 MPa or more and 25 MPa or less, a flow start temperature of the cover composition is −20 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less. A molding temperature can be mentioned. By setting the molding conditions, a golf ball cover having a uniform cover thickness can be molded.

  When a cover composition is injection molded to form a cover, it may be injection molded using a pellet-shaped cover composition obtained by extrusion, or it may be used for a cover such as a base resin component or a pigment. The materials may be dry blended and directly injection molded. As the upper and lower molds for forming the cover, it is preferable to use a cover mold having a hemispherical cavity and having a pimple and also serving as a hold pin in which a part of the pimple can advance and retreat. The cover can be formed by injection molding by protruding a hold pin, inserting a core and holding it, and then injecting the cover composition and cooling the cover. For example, a cover of 9 MPa to 15 MPa can be formed. A cover composition heated to 200 ° C. to 250 ° C. is poured into a mold clamped with pressure in 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds, cooled for 10 seconds to 60 seconds, and then opened.

  The cover is usually formed with a depression called a dimple on the surface. The total number of dimples is preferably 200 or more and 500 or less. If the total number of dimples is less than 200, the dimple effect is difficult to obtain. Further, when the total number of dimples exceeds 500, the size of each dimple becomes small and it is difficult to obtain the dimple effect. The shape (plan view shape) of the dimple formed is not particularly limited, and a circular shape; a polygon such as a substantially triangular shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially pentagonal shape, or a substantially hexagonal shape; Alternatively, two or more kinds may be used in combination.

  The thickness of the cover is preferably 4.0 mm or less, more preferably 3.0 mm or less, and still more preferably 2.0 mm or less. If the cover has a thickness of 4.0 mm or less, the resulting golf ball will have better resilience and feel at impact. The thickness of the cover is preferably 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, further preferably 0.8 mm or more, and particularly preferably 1.0 mm or more. If the thickness of the cover is less than 0.3 mm, the durability and wear resistance of the cover may decrease. In the case of a plurality of cover layers, the total thickness of the plurality of cover layers is preferably in the above range.

  The golf ball body in which the cover is molded is preferably taken out from the mold and subjected to surface treatment such as deburring, washing, and sandblasting as necessary. Moreover, a coating film and a mark can also be formed if desired. The film thickness of the coating film is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 μm or more, more preferably 7 μm or more, preferably 50 μm or less, more preferably 40 μm or less, and further preferably 30 μm or less. This is because when the film thickness is less than 5 μm, the coating tends to be worn away by continuous use, and when the film thickness exceeds 50 μm, the dimple effect is reduced and the flight performance of the golf ball is reduced.

  When the golf ball of the present invention has a diameter of 40 mm to 45 mm, the amount of compressive deformation (the amount of contraction in the compression direction) when the final load 1275N is applied from the state where the initial load 98N is applied may be 2.0 mm or more. Preferably, it is 2.4 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 mm or more, most preferably 2.8 mm or more, preferably 5.0 mm or less, more preferably 4.5 mm or less. is there. A golf ball having a compression deformation amount of 2.0 mm or more does not become too hard and has a good shot feeling. On the other hand, when the amount of compressive deformation is 5.0 mm or less, the resilience increases.

  The structure of the golf ball of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has a spherical core and one or more covers that cover the spherical core. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a golf ball 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The golf ball 2 has a spherical core 4 and a cover 12 that covers the spherical core 4. A large number of dimples 14 are formed on the surface of the cover. Of the surface of the golf ball 2, a portion other than the dimples 14 is a land 16. The golf ball 2 includes a paint layer and a mark layer on the outside of the cover 12, but these layers are not shown.

  The spherical core preferably has a single layer structure. This is because the single-layer spherical core has no energy loss at the time of impact at the interface of the multilayer structure, and the resilience is improved. Further, the cover may have a structure of one or more layers, and may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure of at least two layers. As the golf ball of the present invention, for example, a two-piece golf ball comprising a spherical core and a single-layer cover disposed so as to cover the spherical core; disposed so as to cover the spherical core and the spherical core A multi-piece golf ball having two or more layers (including a three-piece golf ball); a spherical core, a thread rubber layer provided around the spherical core, and a coating covering the thread rubber layer And a wound golf ball having a cover. The present invention can be suitably used for golf balls having any of the above structures.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and all modifications and embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention are not limited thereto. Included in range.

[Evaluation method]
(1) Compression deformation (mm)
The amount of deformation in the compression direction (the amount by which the core or golf ball shrinks in the compression direction) from when the initial load 98N was applied to the core or golf ball to when the final load 1275N was applied was measured.

(2) Coefficient of restitution 198.4 g of a metal cylinder collides with each core or golf ball at a speed of 40 m / sec, and measures the speed of the cylinder and core or golf ball before and after the collision. The restitution coefficient of each core or golf ball was calculated from the mass. The measurement was performed 12 pieces for each core or golf ball, and the average value was used as the coefficient of restitution of the core or golf ball. The coefficient of restitution is shown in Tables 3 to 5 as golf ball (core) No. The difference from the coefficient of restitution of 10 is shown.

(3) Slab hardness (Shore D hardness)
Using the cover composition, a sheet having a thickness of about 2 mm was produced by injection molding and stored at 23 ° C. for 2 weeks. An automatic rubber hardness tester P1 type manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd. equipped with a spring type hardness tester Shore D type as defined in ASTM-D2240 in a state where three or more sheets are stacked so as not to affect the measurement substrate. It measured using.

(4) Core hardness distribution (JIS-C hardness)
The JIS-C hardness measured on the surface of the core was used as the core surface hardness using an automatic rubber hardness meter P1 type manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd. equipped with a spring type hardness meter JIS-C type. Further, the core was cut into a hemisphere, and the hardness was measured at the center of the cut surface and at a predetermined distance from the center.
The core hardness was calculated by measuring the hardness at four points at a predetermined distance from the center of the core cross section and averaging these.

(5) Driver flight distance (m) and spin rate (rpm)
A golf head swing robot M / C is attached to a metal head W # 1 driver (SRI Sports, XXIO S Loft 11 °), hits a golf ball at a head speed of 40 m / sec, and golf immediately after hitting The spin speed of the ball and the flight distance (distance from the launching point to the resting point) were measured. The measurement was performed 12 times for each golf ball, and the average value was taken as the measured value of the golf ball. In addition, the spin speed of the golf ball immediately after hitting was measured by taking continuous photographs of the hit golf ball. The driver flight distance and spin amount are shown in Tables 3 to 5 as golf ball (core) No. The difference from 10 is shown.

[Production of golf balls]
(1) Production of core The rubber composition having the composition shown in Tables 3 to 5 was kneaded with a kneading roll, and heated and pressed in an upper and lower mold having hemispherical cavities at 170 ° C. for 20 minutes to have a diameter of 39.8 mm A spherical core was obtained.

BR730: manufactured by JSR, high cis polybutadiene (cis-1,4-bond content = 96 mass%, 1,2-vinyl bond content = 1.3 mass%, Mooney viscosity (ML _{1 + 4} (100 ° C.) ) = 55, molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) = 3)
Sunseller SR: Sanshin Chemical Co., Ltd. zinc acrylate (10% by mass stearic acid coating product)
Zinc oxide: “Ginbae R” manufactured by Toho Zinc Co., Ltd.
Barium sulfate: “Barium sulfate BD” manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and the final golf ball was adjusted to have a mass of 45.4 g.
2,6-dichlorothiophenol: Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol: Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Dicumyl peroxide: NOF Corporation, "Park Mill (registered trademark) D (Dicumyl peroxide) ) "
Stearic acid: manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (purity 98% or more)
Zinc stearate: Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. (purity 99% or more)
Zinc behenate: Nitto Kasei Kogyo

(2) Production of Cover Next, the cover material having the composition shown in Table 6 was extruded by a twin-screw kneading type extruder to prepare a pellet-shaped cover composition. Extrusion was performed with a screw diameter of 45 mm, a screw speed of 200 rpm, and a screw L / D = 35. The blend was heated to 150-230 ° C. at the die position of the extruder. The obtained cover composition was injection molded on the spherical core obtained as described above to produce a golf ball having a spherical core and a cover covering the core.

ハイミラン１６０５：三井デュポンポリケミカル社製のナトリウムイオン中和エチレン−メタクリル酸共重合体系アイオノマー樹脂
ハイミラン１７０６：三井デュポンポリケミカル社製の亜鉛イオン中和エチレン−メタクリル酸共重合体系アイオノマー樹脂

High Milan 1605: Sodium ion neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd. High Milan 1706: Zinc ion neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.

  From the results of Tables 3 to 5, it is a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core, the spherical core comprising (a) a base rubber and (b) a co-crosslinking agent. An α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof, and And (e) an organic sulfur compound containing a thiophenol substituted with a halogen or a metal salt thereof, and (b) only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent. If included, the golf ball formed from the rubber composition further containing (f) a metal compound has high resilience, a low spin rate on driver shots, and a long flight distance. I understand.

  The golf ball of the present invention has a great flight distance on driver shots.

2: golf ball, 4: spherical core, 12: cover, 14: dimple, 16: land

Claims (10)

A golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core has (a) a base rubber and (b) a carbon number of 3 to 8 as a co-crosslinking agent. α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or metal salt thereof, (c) crosslinking initiator, (d) carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or salt thereof (α having 3 to 8 carbon atoms) , Β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and / or metal salts thereof) , and (e) containing halogen-substituted thiophenols and / or metal salts thereof as organic sulfur compounds, and (b) co-crosslinking In the case of containing only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as an agent, it is formed from a rubber composition further containing (f) a metal compound ,
The spherical core has a hardness difference (Hs-Ho) between the surface hardness (Hs) and the center hardness (Ho) of 25 or more in JIS-C hardness,
When the JIS-C hardness measured at 9 points obtained by equally dividing the radius of the spherical core at 12.5% intervals is plotted against the distance (%) from the core center, it is obtained from this plot by the least square method. golf ball R ² is characterized by der Rukoto 0.90 or more of the linear approximation curve.   The rubber composition contains (d) 0.5 to 40 parts by mass of (d) a carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof with respect to 100 parts by mass of the base rubber. The golf ball according to claim 1.   (D) The golf ball according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or a salt thereof is a fatty acid and / or a fatty acid salt. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the organic sulfur compound is a thiophenol substituted with a halogen.   (E) The golf ball according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the organic sulfur compound is a thiophenol substituted with 1 to 4 halogens and / or a metal salt thereof.   The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the halogen is chlorine.   (E) The golf ball according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the organic sulfur compound is 2,6-dichlorothiophenol or 2,4,5-trichlorothiophenol.   The said rubber composition contains 0.05 mass part-5 mass parts of (e) organic sulfur compounds with respect to 100 mass parts of (a) base rubber, The any one of Claims 1-7. The golf ball described in 1.   The rubber composition comprises (a) 15 parts by mass of (b) α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof with respect to 100 parts by mass of the base rubber. The golf ball according to claim 1, comprising a mass part. A method for producing a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core,
(A) base rubber, (b) an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) having a carbon number 4 to 30 carboxylic acids and / or salts thereof (excluding α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and / or metal salts thereof), and (e) halogens as organic sulfur compounds And (b) a co-crosslinking agent containing only an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a co-crosslinking agent, f) Using a rubber composition containing a metal compound,
The hardness difference (Hs-Ho) between the surface hardness (Hs) and the center hardness (Ho) is 25 or more in JIS-C hardness, and (d) the carboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms and / or its From this plot, when the JIS-C hardness measured at 9 points equally divided by 12.5% intervals by the action of salt was plotted against the distance (%) from the core center. R of linear approximation curve obtained by least square method ² A method for producing a golf ball, comprising forming a spherical core so that the value is 0.90 or more.

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