Material for pure manual bead stringing artwork and application of material

Abstract

The invention discloses a material for purely handmade beaded artwork and application thereof.The material is prepared by taking 60%-85% of a resin matrix (epoxy / polyurethane resin) as a framework, compounding 10%-40% of natural pearl powder with the particle size of 5-50 microns, adding 0.7%-6% of functional auxiliaries (containing an ultraviolet light absorber, a flexibilizer and a flatting agent), and performing uniform mixing and extrusion molding. And carrying out vacuum stirring, stepped heating curing (staged heat preservation at 60-100 DEG C) and a polishing process. The surface roughness Ra of the material is smaller than or equal to 0.8 mu m, the glossiness (60-degree angle) is larger than or equal to 80 GU, the layered microstructure of the pearl is simulated, and the wear resistance with the Mohs hardness being 3-5 and the gentle touch feeling imitating natural pearls are achieved. The material supports secondary processing such as engraving, inlaying and plating, and meets the EN71-3 heavy metal standard and the ROHS 2.0 instruction of European Union. When being applied to string bead artworks such as necklaces and bracelets, the bead bead material can realize diversified shapes with the single bead size of 2-30mm, solves the problems of high cost, fragility or poor texture and the like of the traditional material, and remarkably improves the artistic value and market competitiveness of the handwork artworks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of handcrafted art materials, specifically to a composite material for purely handmade beaded artworks, its preparation process, and application method. This material uses resin as a matrix, and by adding pearl powder and other functional components, forms a novel beaded material with the texture and artistic expression of natural pearl. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional handmade beaded art, as an important part of the cultural and creative industries, relies heavily on material selection to directly impact the artistic value and market competitiveness of its works. For a long time, the industry has primarily relied on traditional materials such as natural pearls, glass beads, or plastic beads, all of which have significant drawbacks:

[0003] Natural pearls: Their formation depends on the natural secretion process of marine or freshwater mollusks, resulting in limited production and their shape and color being greatly affected by the growth environment. For example, Australian South Sea pearls are predominantly silvery-white, while Japanese Akoya pearls have a pinkish-white hue, making it difficult for designers to customize the color and size according to their creative needs. In addition, the mining of natural pearls puts pressure on the ecological environment, and the price of a single pearl can reach hundreds to thousands of yuan, directly driving up the cost of handcrafted art pieces and limiting the expansion of the mass consumer market.

[0004] Glass beads: Although they have high transparency and dyeability, their density (approximately 2.5 g / cm³) is low. 3 The content of the pearl is significantly higher than that of natural pearls (2.6-2.8 g / cm³). 3 This results in an excessively heavy finished beaded ornament. During prolonged wear or display, the string (such as silk or nylon thread) is prone to fatigue breakage due to continuous tension, especially in humid environments where the coefficient of friction between the glass surface and the string increases, further accelerating wear. Industry research indicates that the repair rate for glass bead ornaments is as high as 15%-20%, significantly higher than other materials.

[0005] Plastic beads, made from polyethylene, polypropylene, and other raw materials, are inexpensive (less than 0.1 yuan per bead), but have three major drawbacks: First, their surface hardness is low (Mohs hardness 1-2), making them prone to scratches and affecting the durability of their luster; second, the injection molding process creates a strong "plastic feel," which is far removed from the warm and lustrous texture of natural pearls; third, some plastic beads contain phthalates and other plasticizers to reduce costs, which may release harmful substances when exposed to high temperatures or prolonged skin contact, failing to comply with EU REACH regulations and the domestic GB 6675 "Toy Safety" standard.

[0006] In recent years, resin-based composite materials have gradually become an alternative due to their high plasticity and moderate cost (approximately 0.5-2 yuan per particle). However, existing technologies still face key bottlenecks:

[0007] Insufficient luster: The refractive index (1.45-1.55) of ordinary epoxy resin or acrylic resin is lower than that of the nacre layer (1.53-1.68), and it does not simulate the "brick wall" microstructure of pearl, resulting in light reflection mainly being specular reflection, lacking the soft diffuse reflection effect of natural pearl.

[0008] Stiff to the touch: The resin has a high modulus after curing (about 2-3 GPa), which is significantly different from the organic texture of pearl (modulus 0.1-1 GPa), reducing wearing comfort;

[0009] Limited functionality: Most products focus only on basic physical properties and do not consider the secondary processing needs of handcrafted artworks (such as carving and inlay), which limits creative freedom.

[0010] Therefore, developing a new type of beading material that combines the texture of natural pearls, environmental safety, and high plasticity has become a key technological requirement for promoting the upgrading of the handicraft industry. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention aims to address the shortcomings of existing beading materials in terms of cost, texture, environmental friendliness, and artistic expression, and to provide a special material for pure handmade beading that combines the texture of natural pearls, high plasticity, environmental friendliness, and economy.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0013] A material for handmade beaded art pieces, prepared from the following components by mass fraction:

[0014] Resin matrix: 60%-85%;

[0015] Pearl powder: 10%-40%, particle size 5μm-50μm;

[0016] Functional additives: 0.7%-6%, including at least one of ultraviolet absorbers, toughening agents, and leveling agents;

[0017] The material is produced by vacuum stirring, step heating curing and surface polishing processes, with a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm and gloss ≥80GU.

[0018] Furthermore, the resin matrix is ​​at least one of epoxy resin or polyurethane resin; the ultraviolet absorber is at least one of UV-326 and UV-531; the toughening agent is at least one of POE and CPE; and the leveling agent is a silicone-based or acrylate-based leveling agent.

[0019] Furthermore, the pearl powder is natural freshwater pearl powder or seawater pearl powder, which is dried at 120°C for 2 hours before use, and its mass fraction in the material is 15%-35%.

[0020] Furthermore, it also contains 0.1%-5% of a colorant, which is at least one of inorganic mineral pigments, organic dyes, or pearlescent pigments, used to impart a monochrome, gradient, or iridescent effect to the material, mimicking natural pearls.

[0021] Furthermore, a method for preparing the material according to any one of claims 1-4 includes the following steps:

[0022] (1) Pretreatment: Dry the pearl powder until the moisture content is ≤0.5%;

[0023] (2) Mixing: Under vacuum conditions of ≤-0.09MPa, stir the resin matrix, pearl powder, functional additives and colorants at high speed for 15-30 minutes;

[0024] (3) Molding: The mixture is injected into the mold, and a stepped temperature curing process is adopted: 60℃±5℃ / 1.5h-2.5h→80℃±5℃ / 0.5h-1.5h→100℃±5℃ / 0.3h-0.8h;

[0025] (4) Post-processing: After demolding, the surface is polished to a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm to form a pearl-like layered microstructure.

[0026] Furthermore, the application of the material described in any one of claims 1-4 in handmade beaded artworks, wherein the artworks include at least one of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants, and the material shape is at least one of round, oval, teardrop, square, or irregular shape, with a diameter or longest side dimension of 2mm-30mm.

[0027] Furthermore, the material supports at least one secondary processing technique selected from engraving, inlaying, and plating, and the finished product meets the following performance indicators:

[0028] Mohs hardness: 3-5;

[0029] Colorfastness: ≥4;

[0030] Solvent resistance: No fading or fogging;

[0031] Environmental friendliness: Complies with EU EN71-3 heavy metal content standards and RoHS 2.0 directive.

[0032] Furthermore, the beaded artwork is connected by metal fittings or threads, and the diameter of the hole for each bead is 0.5mm-3mm, with smooth, burr-free hole walls.

[0033] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0034] Texture optimization: Precise control of pearl powder content and particle size gives the material the soft luster and warm touch of natural pearls, with a Mohs hardness of 3-4, combining wear resistance and processability.

[0035] Environmentally friendly and safe: Made with non-toxic resin and natural pearl powder, it complies with the EU EN71-3 toy safety standard and the RoHS environmental directive;

[0036] Cost controllable: Material costs are 60%-80% lower than those of natural pearls, and large-scale industrial production is possible, ensuring the market competitiveness of handcrafted art pieces. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below.

[0038] (1) Material composition

[0039] Matrix material: Use epoxy resin or polyurethane resin with high transparency and low shrinkage to ensure that the surface of the material is smooth and free of bubbles after molding.

[0040] Pearl powder additive: Natural pearl powder with a particle size of 5-50 micrometers is used, accounting for 10%-40% (mass fraction), to give the material the soft luster and warm touch of natural pearl.

[0041] Colorants (optional): Add inorganic mineral pigments or organic dyes to achieve customized material colors and meet diverse design needs;

[0042] Functional additives include 0.1%-2% UV absorber (to prevent fading), 0.5%-3% toughening agent (to improve impact resistance), and 0.1%-1% leveling agent (to optimize surface smoothness).

[0043] (2) Preparation process

[0044] Pretreatment: Place the pearl powder in a 120℃ oven and dry for 2 hours to remove moisture;

[0045] Mixing: Add the resin, pearl powder, colorant and functional additives to a vacuum mixer in proportion, and stir at 500-1000 rpm for 15-30 minutes, while simultaneously evacuating to below -0.09 MPa to eliminate air bubbles;

[0046] Molding: The mixture is injected into a silicone mold and cured using a stepped temperature curing process (60℃ / 2h→80℃ / 1h→100℃ / 0.5h) to reduce internal stress;

[0047] Post-processing: After demolding, the surface is polished to a roughness Ra≤0.8μm to form a pearl-like layered microstructure, which enhances the diffuse reflection effect of light.

[0048] (3) Application method

[0049] Hand-beaded craftsmanship: Materials can be processed into various shapes such as round, oval, and teardrop. Through perforation, combination, and matching with metal accessories, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other works of art can be made.

[0050] Surface finishing: Supports secondary processing such as carving and inlay, further expanding the space for artistic expression.

[0051] Example 1: Preparation of colorless and transparent beaded material

[0052] Formula: 70 parts epoxy resin, 25 parts pearl powder (20 microns), 0.5 parts UV absorber UV-326, 0.3 parts leveling agent BYK-354;

[0053] Process: Mix, shape and post-process according to the above method to obtain round beads with a diameter of 10mm, light transmittance of 85% and gloss (60° angle) ≥90GU.

[0054] Example 2: Preparation of Colored Beaded Materials

[0055] Formula: 65 parts polyurethane resin, 30 parts pearl powder (10 microns), 2 parts iron oxide red pigment, 2 parts toughening agent POE;

[0056] Process: Adjust the curing temperature to 70℃ / 2h→90℃ / 1h to obtain wine-red oval beads with color fastness (ISO105-B02) ≥4.

[0057] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the actual structure is not limited thereto. In conclusion, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and, without departing from the spirit of the invention, design similar structures and embodiments without creative effort, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A material for handmade beaded art pieces, characterized in that, It is prepared from the following components by mass fraction: Resin matrix: 60%-85%; Pearl powder: 10%-40%, particle size 5μm-50μm; Functional additives: 0.7%-6%, including at least one of ultraviolet absorbers, toughening agents, and leveling agents; The material is produced by vacuum stirring, step heating curing and surface polishing processes, with a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm and gloss ≥80GU.

2. The material for handmade beaded artworks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The resin matrix is ​​at least one of epoxy resin or polyurethane resin; the ultraviolet absorber is at least one of UV-326 and UV-531; the toughening agent is at least one of POE and CPE; and the leveling agent is a silicone-based or acrylate-based leveling agent.

3. The material for handmade beaded artworks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pearl powder is natural freshwater pearl powder or seawater pearl powder, which is dried at 120°C for 2 hours before use, and its mass fraction in the material is 15%-35%.

4. The material for handmade beaded artworks according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also contains 0.1%-5% of a colorant, which is at least one of inorganic mineral pigments, organic dyes, or pearlescent pigments, used to impart a monochrome, gradient, or iridescent effect to the material, mimicking natural pearls.

5. A method for preparing the material according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Pretreatment: Dry the pearl powder until the moisture content is ≤0.5%; (2) Mixing: Under vacuum conditions of ≤-0.09MPa, stir the resin matrix, pearl powder, functional additives and colorants at high speed for 15-30 minutes; (3) Molding: The mixture is injected into the mold, and a stepped temperature curing process is adopted: 60℃±5℃ / 1.5h-2.5h→80℃±5℃ / 0.5h-1.5h→100℃±5℃ / 0.3h-0.8h; (4) Post-processing: After demolding, the surface is polished to a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm to form a pearl-like layered microstructure.

6. The application of the material according to any one of claims 1-4 in purely handmade beaded artworks, characterized in that: The artwork includes at least one of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants, and the material shape is at least one of round, oval, teardrop, square, or irregular shape, with a diameter or longest side dimension of 2mm-30mm.

7. The application according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material supports at least one secondary processing technique among engraving, inlaying, and plating, and the finished product meets the following performance indicators: Mohs hardness: 3-5; Colorfastness: ≥4; Solvent resistance: No fading or fogging; Environmental friendliness: Complies with EU EN71-3 heavy metal content standards and RoHS 2.0 directive.

8. The application according to claim 6, characterized in that: The beaded artworks are connected by metal fittings or silk threads, and the diameter of the hole for each bead is 0.5mm-3mm, with smooth and burr-free hole walls.