Cast thermoset urethane (CPU) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are two different manufacturing routes for golf ball covers. In CPU production, liquid reactive components are metered, mixed, and cured in the cover mold to form a thermoset cover. In TPU production, thermoplastic pellets are melted and injection- or compression-molded into the outer cover. The two categories use different materials, different forming methods, and different process controls.
CPU stands for cast polyurethane in this context. The cover is formed by a chemical reaction between metered liquid components inside the mold. Once cured, the thermoset cover does not remelt into its original molding state. MetaSeal Golf's current 3-piece and 4-piece urethane programs use this cast thermoset polyurethane cover process.
TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It is commonly supplied as pellets and formed by injection or compression molding. The thermoplastic material can be remelted and reshaped. TPU remains a valid urethane-cover option and is suitable for different product and price-positioning requirements.
| Buyer question | Cast thermoset urethane (CPU) | Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Material form before molding | Metered reactive liquid components | Thermoplastic pellets or preformed material |
| Cover-forming method | Components react and cure in the mold | Material is melted and injection- or compression-molded |
| Material behavior after cure | Thermoset; does not remelt into the original molding state | Thermoplastic; can be remelted and reshaped |
| Process profile | Longer, cure-sensitive, with additional preparation and finishing controls | Faster and generally more economical to process |
| Cover design potential | Supports thin, soft cast covers when formulation and molding are controlled | Supports durable urethane covers with a different processing route |
| Best use in an OEM decision | Premium product programs requiring a cast-urethane construction story and sample validation | Programs prioritizing a more economical thermoplastic urethane route |
Cover technology alone does not prove that one finished golf ball will fly farther, fly straighter, or outperform another ball. Flight, spin, feel, durability, and batch consistency depend on the complete construction, including the core, mantle layers, cover formulation, cover thickness, dimple geometry, and production control. These results must be verified for the exact SKU and test conditions.
Cast thermoset production requires controlled material preparation, metering, mixing, mold preparation, staged dispensing, centering, curing, demolding, finishing, and inspection. It is a longer and more process-sensitive route, but it gives the manufacturer greater control over the cover formulation and supports a thin, soft, responsive outer cover when the process and product design are properly controlled.
Cast thermoset urethane is an established cover category in premium golf balls. Titleist publicly states that Pro V1 and Pro V1x use a soft cast urethane elastomer cover, while its AVX model uses a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cover. This public reference helps buyers understand the difference between the two manufacturing categories.
MetaSeal Golf does not claim to use Titleist's proprietary formulation, equipment, tolerances, or complete manufacturing process. A shared cover category does not establish identical construction or equivalent performance. MetaSeal product claims are limited to the specifications and test evidence available for the exact MetaSeal SKU.
In this context, CPU means cast polyurethane. For MetaSeal's current 3-piece and 4-piece urethane programs, liquid reactive components are metered, mixed, and cured in the cover mold to form a thermoset polyurethane cover.
No. Cast thermoset urethane cures through a chemical reaction in the mold and does not remelt like a thermoplastic. TPU is a thermoplastic polyurethane that is commonly supplied as pellets and formed by injection or compression molding.
No. Cover technology is only one part of the finished ball. Distance, spin, flight, feel, and consistency also depend on the core, mantle layers, cover specification, dimple design, and production control. Performance claims must be based on the exact SKU and documented test conditions.
Titleist publicly describes Pro V1 and Pro V1x as using soft cast urethane elastomer covers. This confirms the relevance of the cast thermoset cover category, but it does not mean another manufacturer's formula, process, or performance is identical to Titleist's.
The reactive liquid components must be accurately metered and mixed, then dispensed, centered, cured, demolded, finished, and inspected under controlled conditions. The exact number of operations depends on the approved factory SOP and SKU.
Yes. Buyers can request samples and review the construction, logo, packaging, and available SKU-specific evidence before bulk production. Final quotation and production planning require confirmed model, quantity, artwork, packaging, and delivery information.
Tell us your target player, retail position, first-order quantity, logo requirements, and packaging plan. We will recommend whether the 3-piece main model or 4-piece flagship model is the more practical starting point.