Golf ball containing graphite nanosheets in a polymeric network

Abstract

A golf ball containing a layer, which comprises nanosheets of exfoliated graphite dispersed in a polymeric matrix, is provided. Exfoliated graphite is graphite that has been intercalated preferably by an oxidation process, where the atoms or molecules have been inserted into the inter-planar spacing between the layered planes of carbons, and expanded. The intercalated graphite is expanded or exfoliated preferably by brief exposure to high heat to expand the thickness of the graphite. The expanded or exfoliated graphite is then mixed with monomers and polymerized in situ to form a polymer with a network of nanosheets of the exfoliated graphite dispersed therein. The exfoliated graphite advantageously retains its nanostructure during the polymerization process. The resulting golf ball layer comprising such polymer with nanosheets of exfoliated graphite exhibits superior tensile strength, low permeability to gas and increased impact strength. A golf ball comprising a water vapor barrier layer, wherein the water vapor barrier layer comprises a foil of compressed exfoliated graphite layer, is also provided. The expanded or exfoliated graphite is compressed together into flexible thin sheets or foils. Such sheets may also be made with a polymeric binder.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.