| abstract |
A mouldable composition comprising a blend of a resilient thermoplastics material and either (i) a potentially-ionisable copolymer of ethylene and an alpha , beta -unsaturated carboxylic acid which is ionised subsequent to the formation of the blend; or (ii) an ionic copolymer of ethylene and an alpha , beta -unsaturated carboxylic acid which is further ionised subsequent to the formation of the blend; or (iii) an ionic copolymer of ethylene and an alpha , beta -unsaturated carboxylic acid which is substantially ionised and which is powdered prior to the formation of the blend, in which the powdered copolymer (iii) has a maximum particle size of 200 microns and the total neutralisation level in said copolymer (i), (ii) or (iii) is at least 60%. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the total neutralisation level in said copolymer (i), (ii) or (iii) is at least 70%, preferably at least 80% and especially at least 90%. The preferred size of the powdered copolymer (iii) is a maximum of 100 microns for at least 85% of the copolymer. Suitably, the copolymer (iii) may have a modal particle size of 40 microns. The mouldable composition can be used to make a homogeneous solid one-piece golf ball, a homogenous solid core for a two-piece golf ball or a core component for a multi-component golf ball. |