AU2004216125A1 - Golf club head of ductile or gray iron - Google Patents
Golf club head of ductile or gray iron Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2004216125A1 AU2004216125A1 AU2004216125A AU2004216125A AU2004216125A1 AU 2004216125 A1 AU2004216125 A1 AU 2004216125A1 AU 2004216125 A AU2004216125 A AU 2004216125A AU 2004216125 A AU2004216125 A AU 2004216125A AU 2004216125 A1 AU2004216125 A1 AU 2004216125A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- club head
- golf club
- range
- iron
- ductile iron
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 229910001141 Ductile iron Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 63
- 229910001060 Gray iron Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 39
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical compound [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel Substances [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001092 metal group alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010962 carbon steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000881 Cu alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000861 Mg alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000914 Mn alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydridophosphorus(.) (triplet) Chemical compound [PH] BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910000859 α-Fe Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001018 Cast iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- XWHPIFXRKKHEKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron silicon Chemical compound [Si].[Fe] XWHPIFXRKKHEKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000001247 metal acetylides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910001562 pearlite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052684 Cerium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001566 austenite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021386 carbon form Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GWXLDORMOJMVQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N cerium Chemical compound [Ce] GWXLDORMOJMVQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002054 inoculum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004807 localization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002910 rare earth metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011208 reinforced composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004381 surface treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
- A63B53/042—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0408—Heads characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/047—Heads iron-type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0487—Heads for putters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/32—Golf
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0466—Heads wood-type
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Description
WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 GOLF CLUB HEAD OF DUCTILE OR GRAY IRON CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/449,832, filed February 27, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/507,084, filed October 1, 2003, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many conventional golf club heads and striking face inserts used in golf club heads are constructed of various materials such as steel, non-ferrous metallic alloys, titanium, aluminum, composites, plastics, rubbers, and the like. Disadvantages often associated with golf club heads and inserts made of materials conventionally utilized in the golf club making art include a "harsh" feel imparted to the golfer during and immediately after impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, poor durability, poor machinability, poor wear resistance, insufficient weight budget associated with using high-density materials in designing clubs within a specific weight constraint, significant dimensional differences between the master -1- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 model and the net part resulting from the casting process, and high costs of manufacture. Hence, the need still exists for golf club materials and designs that minimize the above-recited disadvantages and offer beneficial characteristics such as improved material damping capacity, castability, wear resistance, increased strength-to-weight ratio, reduced density relative to other ferrous materials, adequate elongation, acceptance of surface treatment and plating, a wide range of mechanical-property manipulation capabilities, low material cost, reduced shrinkage and near-net shape casting. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a golf club head made from materials designed to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and defects in prior art golf club materials and designs. The advantageous golf club head of the present invention is typically made of a ferrous metal or cast ferrous metal having a specific desired density. More specifically, that ferrous metal may be a ductile iron or gray iron. The advantageous ferrous material may be present throughout the club head, or in a portion of the club head such as an insert in the ball hitting face of a club head, wherein the remainder -2- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 of the club head may be a similar or different material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing advantages and further features of the present invention will be further understood from the following drawings, which include illustrations of golf club heads which may comprise preferred embodiments of the advantageous system of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention; Fig. 1B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert; Fig. 2A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention; Fig. 2B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert; -3- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 Fig. 3A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention; Fig. 3B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert; Fig. 4A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention; Fig. 4B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to iron-type, wedge type, metal wood-type or putter-type golf club heads, or inserts for such heads, comprising a ferrous metal, more particularly comprising ductile iron or gray iron. Such metals may include high nickel ductile iron, high silicon ductile iron, annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron. Ductile iron is a cast iron that has been treated to include magnesium, cerium, or a rare earth alloy (atomic nos. 57-71) during the casting process to cause -4- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 substantially all of its graphitic carbon to take the form of spheroids or nodules within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition. In the as-cast condition, graphite nodules are suspended in a matrix of ferrite and pearlite, with the occasional presence of carbides. Using the annealing process commonly known to those skilled in the metallurgical arts, pearlite and carbides are transformed to a mostly ferrite microstructure. The newly-formed ferrite surrounds the graphite nodules formed during the casting process, and yields a moderate-strength alloy with high ductility, improved damping capacity, and approximately 10% lower density than ordinary steels. Austempered ductile iron is a ductile cast iron that has been produced by a known controlled thermal process, which results in a matrix microstructure comprising graphite nodules suspended in predominantly acicular ferrite and high carbon austenite. This microstructure provides increased strength over as-cast or annealed ductile iron, while preserving adequate elongation. Gray iron is a cast iron, untreated with graphite spheroidizing inoculants, wherein substantially all of the graphitic carbon forms as flakes within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition. This flake graphite structure within the -5- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 ferrous matrix provides many of the beneficial properties of the material, including outstanding damping capacity, excellent wear resistance and machinability, along with reduced density relative to other ferrous materials. The damping capacity of gray iron is as much as 125 times greater than that of ordinary steels. Golf club heads of the present invention preferably comprise ductile iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight: 2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 5.5 wt% silicon, 0 to 1 wt% copper, less than 0.1 wt% magnesium, less than 0.15 wt% phosphorous, with most of the remainder being iron. Golf club heads of the present invention may also preferably comprise gray iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight: 2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 3.5 wt% silicon, less than 1 wt% copper, less than 2 wt% manganese, less than 2.5 wt% nickel, with most of the remainder being iron. -6- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 Golf club heads of the present invention may have any of the exemplary forms schematically illustrated in Figs. IA through 4B. Figs. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, respectively, schematically illustrate substantially integral club heads of the iron-type 10, wedge-type 20, metal wood-type 30, and putter-type 40, respectively. Figs. IB, 2B, 3B, and 4B, respectively, schematically illustrate iron-type 12, wedge-type 22, metal wood-type 32, and putter-type 42 club heads, each including ball hitting face insert 14, 24, 34, 44, respectively. Where a club head body 12, 22, 32, 42, comprises ductile iron, face insert 14, 24, 34, or 44 may comprise a different material such as a non-ferrous metal alloy, such as an aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or the like, a ceramic material, stainless steel, hardened steel or the like. Depending on the material composition of the insert, the insert may be press fitted into the club head body and may be welded, adhered with adhesive or otherwise bonded thereto. In further embodiments, the entire club head body 10, 20, 30 or 40 may comprise ductile iron or gray iron, except the hosel 16, 26, 36 or 46 and/or hosel club head body junction region 17, 27, 37 or 47, may comprise a bendable, high-elongation stainless steel or low density stainless or carbon steel, to facilitate -7- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 bending of the hosel to accommodate club fitting to a particular player. Where hitting face insert 14, 24, 34 or 44 comprises ductile iron or gray iron, club head body 12, 22, 32 or 42 may comprise a different material such as stainless steel, carbon steel, composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composite material, non ferrous metal alloys such as aluminum alloys, copper alloys, manganese alloy, and the like. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron as cast or heat treated may have an ASTM 897 Grade selected from the group including grades 125/80/10; 150/100/07; 175/125/04; 200/155/01; and 230/185/00. Similarly, the ductile iron may have an ASTM A536 Grade selected from the group including grades 60-40-18; 65-45-12; 80-55 06; 100-70-03; and 120-90-02. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron may have an ASTM Tension Grade selected from the group including grades 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60. The golf club heads of the present invention may comprise a ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm 3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 . Such golf club heads will preferably have a density in the range greater than about 7.0 to -8- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 about 7.4 g/cm 3 , and even more preferably in the range greater than about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 . Still more preferably, such golf club heads will have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 , and most preferably have a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 . When the golf club head of the present invention comprises a cast ferrous metal, it may have a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 . More preferably, that density will be in the range from about 6.5 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 , and even more preferably in the range from about 6.8 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 . Still more preferably, such golf club heads of the present invention will have density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 , and most preferably a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 . Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron will have a tensile strength in the range of up to about 240 ksi. Preferably, that tensile strength will be a range from about 30 to 240 ksi and more preferably in a range of about 30 to about 140 ksi, still more preferably in a range of about 30 to 100 ksi and even more preferably within a range from about 50 to about 85 ksi. The tensile strength of the ductile iron may also be in a preferable range from about 100 to about 165 ksi. -9- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 Further, when the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron will preferably have a 0.2% offset yield strength in the range from about 30 to about 210 ksi. More preferably, that 0.2% offset yield strength will be in the range from about 30 to 70 ksi. That 0.2% yield strength may still more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 130 ksi, and even more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 65 ksi. Another preferable 0.2% offset yield strength range is in the range from about 80 to about 185 ksi. When the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron may have an elongation in the range up to about 28%. Preferably, that elongation will be in the range from about 4 to 25%, more preferably in the range from about 7 to about 25%, even more preferably in the range from about 12 to about 25%, and most preferably in the range from about 15 to about 25%. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the density of the ductile iron will preferably be in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3, and most preferably will be in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 . When the golf club head of the present invention is formed by casting a ductile iron material, that -10- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 ductile iron should have a cast shrink rate in the range between about 0.5% and about 1%, and that cast shrink rate is preferably about 0.7%. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 20 to about 25 msi. That modulus of elasticity is preferably in the range from about 22 to about 23.5 msi. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, that ductile iron should have a Poisson's ratio in the range from about 0.23 to about 0.27. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 120 to about 810. That number will more preferably be in the range from about 300 to about 460. Another preferable range is from about 120 to about 300. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron material should have a vibratory decay time of 90% or less of that for typical stainless steels. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.3 g/cm , -11- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 and preferably in the range from about 7.1 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 . Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the tensile strength of the gray iron should be in the range up to 80 ksi, preferably in the range from about 15 to about 60 ksi, and even more preferably in the range from about 20 to about 40 ksi. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 10 to about 25 msi. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 100 to 350, and preferably in the range from about 100 to about 250. Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a vibratory damping capacity that is 2 to 125 times that of ordinary stainless steels. The advantageous materials of the present invention have an increased strength-to-weight ratio, a relatively low density, adequate elongation characteristics and relatively low cost vis-a-vis other club head materials. When used in the desired club head manufacturing techniques, these materials exhibit -12- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 excellent castability with minimal shrinkage and thus minimal net dimensional differences between the club head master model and the net part resulting from the casting process. They also exhibit good machinability to facilitate final shaping and finishing, and a wide range of mechanical property manipulation capabilities through composition variations and heat treatment techniques. And, these manufacturing advantages are achievable at lower manufacturing costs. Thus, the club heads of the present invention manufactured from ductile iron or gray iron material enjoy the advantages of excellent durability and wear resistance presented by those materials. Furthermore, golf clubs according to the present invention possess improved wear-resistance characteristics associated with comparatively-great hardness values of annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron, whose measured hardness is comparable to, and in many cases greater than, that of typical carbon or stainless steels. Ultimately, the excellent damping capacity and other characteristics of these materials provide the inventive club heads made therefrom the ability to exhibit excellent "feel" to the golfer using such clubs, both during and immediately after such an inventive club head impacts a golf ball. The current -13- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 understanding and expectation in the golf club-making art is that a perceived "soft" feel at impact with the ball is generally related to the measured hardness of the club-head material -- the greater the material hardness, the "harsher" the feel, and vice versa. However, in spite of comparatively-great hardness values, the enhanced material damping capacity and reduced density (which permits advantageous localization of mass) of ductile iron or gray iron provide an unexpected noticeable improvement in feel, at ball impact, to the golfer. This improvement in feel is beyond the typical correlation to measured hardness expected by those skilled in the golf club making art. Those skilled in the art of golf club manufacture will appreciate that minor changes in the details of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims. -14-
Claims (62)
1. A golf club head comprising a cast ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 .
2. A golf club head comprising a ferrous metal and having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm 3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 .
3. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the ferrous metal is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
4. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material different from the ferrous material.
5. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body of the club head comprises the ferrous metal and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material.
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the ball hitting face includes an insert which comprises a material selected from the group consisting of non -15- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702 ferrous metal alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, copper alloys, manganese alloys, ceramic materials, stainless steel, carbon steel, hardened steel, non-metallic composite materials, and carbon fiber reinforced materials.
7. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the ball hitting face includes an insert which comprises the different material, and at least one of the hosel portion and club head body/hosel junction portion of the club head comprises a material that is more bendable than the remainder of the club head body.
8. The golf club head of claim 2, having a density in the range greater than 7.0 to 7.4 g/cm 3 .
9. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, having a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 .
10. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, having a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 .
11. A golf club head comprising ductile iron. -16- WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the ductile iron is selected from the group consisting of high-nickel ductile iron, high-silicon ductile iron, annealed ductile iron, and austempered ductile iron.
13. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material different from the ductile iron.
15. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the body of the club head comprises ductile iron and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material.
16. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a tensile strength in the range up to about 240 ksi.
17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 240 ksi. -17- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 140 ksi.
19. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 ksi.
20. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 50 to about 85 ksi.
21. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 100 to about 165 ksi.
22. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a 0.2% offset yield strength in the range from about 30 to about 210 ksi.
23. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 30 to about 70 ksi. -18- WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
24. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 40 to about 65 ksi.
25. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 40 to about 130 ksi.
26. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 80 to about 185 ksi.
27. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an elongation in the range up to 28%.
28. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 4 to about 28%.
29. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 7 to about 25%.
30. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 12 to about 25%. -19- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
31. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 15 to 25%.
32. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an ASTM 897 Grade selected from the group consisting of 125/80/10; 150/100/07; 175/125/04; 200/155/01; and 230/185/00.
33. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an ASTM A536 Grade selected from the group consisting of 60-40-18; 65-45 12; 80-55-06; 100-70-03; and 120-90-02.
34. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 .
35. The golf club head of claim 34, wherein the density is in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 .
36. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a vibratory decay time of 90% or less of that for stainless steel. -20- WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
37. A golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a cast shrink rate of between about 0.5% and about 1%.
38. A golf club head of claim 37, wherein the cast shrink rate is about 0.7%.
39. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 20 to about 28 msi.
40. The golf club head of claim 39, wherein the modulus of elasticity is in the range from about 22 to about 26 msi.
41. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a Poisson's ratio in the range from about 0.23 to about 0.27.
42. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a Brinell Hardness Number in range from about 120 to about 810.
43. The golf club head of claim 42, wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 300 to about 460. -21- WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
44. The golf club head of claim 42, wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 120 to about 300.
45. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a chemical composition by weight within the ranges: 2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 5.5 wt% silicon, 0 to 1 wt% copper, less than 0.1 wt% magnesium, less than 0.15 wt% phosphorous, with most of the remainder being iron.
46. A golf club head comprising gray iron.
47. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
48. The golf club of claim 47, wherein the ball hitting face insert comprising gray iron is attached to a recessed or open portion of the golf club head. -22- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
49. The golf club head of claim 48, wherein the face insert is attached to the club head by a means selected from the group consisting of: a weld, a mechanical locking fit, an adhesive bond, an adhesive tape bond, and any combination thereof.
50. The golf club head of claim 47, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material different from the gray iron.
51. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the body of the club head comprises gray iron and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material.
52. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range up to 80 ksi.
53. The golf club head of claim 52, wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range from about 15 to about 60 ksi.
54. The golf club head of claim 52, wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range from about 20 to about 40 ksi. -23- WO2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
55. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has an ASTM Tension Grade selected from the group consisting of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60.
56. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.3 g/cm 3 .
57. The golf club head of claim 49, wherein the density is in the range from about 7.1 to about 7.2 g/cm.
58. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a damping capacity that is 2 to 125 times that of stainless steel.
59. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 10 to about 25 msi.
60. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 100 to about 350. -24- WO 2004/076002 PCT/US2004/005702
61. The golf club head of claim 60, wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 100 to about 250.
62. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a chemical composition by weight within the ranges: 2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 3.5 wt% silicon, less than 1 wt% copper, less than 2 wt% manganese, less than 2.5 wt% nickel, with most of the remainder being iron. -25-
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US44983203P | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | |
| US60/449,832 | 2003-02-27 | ||
| US50708403P | 2003-10-01 | 2003-10-01 | |
| US60/507,084 | 2003-10-01 | ||
| PCT/US2004/005702 WO2004076002A2 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2004-02-27 | Golf club head of ductile or gray iron |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2004216125A1 true AU2004216125A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 |
Family
ID=32930528
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004216125A Abandoned AU2004216125A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2004-02-27 | Golf club head of ductile or gray iron |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20040171434A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1601421A2 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2006519065A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20050103309A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2004216125A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2517342A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2414192B (en) |
| TW (1) | TWI270395B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004076002A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7771288B2 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2010-08-10 | Acushnet Company | Golf club head with face insert |
| US7491136B2 (en) * | 2005-03-04 | 2009-02-17 | Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. | Low-density FeAlMn alloy golf-club heads and golf clubs comprising same |
| US8858364B2 (en) * | 2005-03-04 | 2014-10-14 | Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. | Welded iron-type clubhead with thin high-cor face |
| SE531107C2 (en) * | 2006-12-16 | 2008-12-23 | Indexator Ab | Method |
| US7794333B2 (en) | 2008-02-21 | 2010-09-14 | Sri Sports Limited | Strike face insert |
| US8366566B1 (en) * | 2009-12-07 | 2013-02-05 | Callaway Golf Company | Iron-type golf club with vibration damping |
| US9802089B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-10-31 | Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc | Iron type golf club head and set |
| GB201310278D0 (en) * | 2013-06-10 | 2013-07-24 | Golphin Ltd | Golf club |
| US9283448B2 (en) | 2013-08-20 | 2016-03-15 | Nike Inc. | Golf club head with polymeric face |
| US9427636B1 (en) * | 2015-09-04 | 2016-08-30 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf club head manufacturing method |
| WO2017116943A1 (en) * | 2015-12-27 | 2017-07-06 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf club heads with stronger, more flexible, and lighter materials |
| US11123614B2 (en) * | 2019-06-24 | 2021-09-21 | Sacks Parente Golf Company, LLC | Magnesium golf clubhead insert |
Family Cites Families (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3155498A (en) * | 1961-12-27 | 1964-11-03 | Bethlehem Steel Corp | Ductile iron and method of making same |
| JPH01176467U (en) * | 1988-05-31 | 1989-12-15 | ||
| US5855525A (en) * | 1992-11-23 | 1999-01-05 | Turner; Terry S. | Golf club |
| US6183381B1 (en) * | 1995-04-13 | 2001-02-06 | Textron Systems Corporation | Fiber-reinforced metal striking insert for golf club heads |
| US5833551A (en) * | 1996-09-09 | 1998-11-10 | Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. | Iron golf club head |
| US5839975A (en) * | 1997-01-22 | 1998-11-24 | Black Rock Golf Corporation | Arch reinforced golf club head |
| US6527650B2 (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 2003-03-04 | Callaway Golf Company | Internal weighting for a composite golf club head |
| JPH11216205A (en) * | 1997-11-21 | 1999-08-10 | Daiwa Juko Kk | Golf putter |
| US5954596A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-09-21 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf club head with reinforced front wall |
| US6093112A (en) * | 1998-02-09 | 2000-07-25 | Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. | Correlated set of golf clubs |
| US6723279B1 (en) * | 1999-03-15 | 2004-04-20 | Materials And Electrochemical Research (Mer) Corporation | Golf club and other structures, and novel methods for making such structures |
| US6464599B1 (en) * | 1999-04-20 | 2002-10-15 | California Institute Of Technology | Golf club putter |
| US6273831B1 (en) * | 1999-09-03 | 2001-08-14 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf club head with a polymer insert |
| US6491592B2 (en) * | 1999-11-01 | 2002-12-10 | Callaway Golf Company | Multiple material golf club head |
| US6431993B1 (en) * | 2000-02-23 | 2002-08-13 | The Nirvana Group, L.L.C. | Golf club hosel interface having bendable section for customizing lie and face angles |
| US6386991B1 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-05-14 | Callaway Golf Company | Dual density polymer putter |
| TW460591B (en) * | 2000-11-09 | 2001-10-21 | Ota Precision Ind Co Ltd | Low-density and high-ductility of iron based materials for golf head |
| GB2373733B (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2004-08-18 | Douglas Boyd Buchanan | Putter head with pre-machined insert |
| US6517445B1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2003-02-11 | O'neill Mike | Combination golf club and weeding device |
-
2004
- 2004-02-27 TW TW093105075A patent/TWI270395B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-02-27 US US10/787,899 patent/US20040171434A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-02-27 WO PCT/US2004/005702 patent/WO2004076002A2/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-02-27 JP JP2006503880A patent/JP2006519065A/en active Pending
- 2004-02-27 EP EP04715630A patent/EP1601421A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-02-27 KR KR1020057016022A patent/KR20050103309A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-02-27 GB GB0517611A patent/GB2414192B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-02-27 CA CA002517342A patent/CA2517342A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-02-27 AU AU2004216125A patent/AU2004216125A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2006519065A (en) | 2006-08-24 |
| GB2414192A (en) | 2005-11-23 |
| GB2414192B (en) | 2007-10-03 |
| TW200422075A (en) | 2004-11-01 |
| CA2517342A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 |
| EP1601421A2 (en) | 2005-12-07 |
| US20040171434A1 (en) | 2004-09-02 |
| KR20050103309A (en) | 2005-10-28 |
| TWI270395B (en) | 2007-01-11 |
| WO2004076002A2 (en) | 2004-09-10 |
| WO2004076002A3 (en) | 2005-01-06 |
| GB0517611D0 (en) | 2005-10-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MK1 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period |