Title: Method Of Toughening Thermoplastic Polyurethane And Articles Comprising Toughened Thermoplastic Polyurethane

 Number/Link: US2013/0323512

Applicant/Assignee: Nike

Publication date: 5-12-2013

“Gist”: TPU is interpenetrated with a thermosetting PU using a solvent

Why it is interesting: According to this invention a conventional TPU can be “toughened” by dipping and  swelling it in a solution containing (about) 20% of a PU-forming composition comprising a polyester polyol, a chain extender, a mixture of pure and polymeric MDI and DBTDL as a catalyst.  The solvent is preferably acetone. The swollen TPU is dried and the PU is cured by heating. It is believed that a TPU-PU interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) is formed.  The invention is targeted at improving the scuff resistance of golf balls. (scuff resistance=resistance against failure of the coating by shear stress).

Nike golf ball.