Glass, ceramic and metal substrates with a self-cleaning surface, method of making them and their use

Abstract

The invention relates to glass, ceramic and metal substrates with at least one self-cleaning surface, comprising a layer with a micro-rough surface structure that is arranged on the substrate and made at least partly hydrophobic. The layer contains a glass flux and structure-forming particles with a mean particle diameter within the 0.1 to 50 μm range; the glass flux and structure-forming particles are present in a volume ratio within the 0.1 to 5 range, and the micro-rough surface structure has a ratio of mean profile height to mean distance between adjacent profile tips within the 0.3 to 10 range. To produce the subject of the invention the substrate is coated with a composition containing a glass flux and structure-forming particles, and the layer is burnt in and made hydrophobic.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10 / 239,066, filed Jan. 16, 2003, which was a U.S. National Stage Application of PCT / EP01 / 02790, filed Mar. 13, 2001, and claims priority to DE 10016585.4, filed Apr. 1, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention relates to glass, ceramic and metal substrates with at least one structured hydrophobic surface that provides a good self-cleaning effect. Another subject of the invention is a method of making said substrates with a self-cleaning surface, the method comprising forming a structured surface then making it hydrophobic. A further subject is use of the glass, ceramic and metal substrates with a surface according to the invention having a self-cleaning effect.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] It is known that in order to obtain a good self-cleaning effect a surface needs to have not only good hydrophobic properties but also a micr...

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