Lotus gold plating process

Abstract

The invention discloses a lotus gold plating process, and relates to the field of ornament processing, the lotus gold plating process comprises the following steps: respectively carrying out targeted pretreatment on lotus petals, lotus leaves, lotus seedpods and branches, then carrying out gold oil treatment on the lotus petals, lotus leaves and lotus seedpods according to a customized formula and process, and carrying out lotus assembling, multi-round polyester resin coating, precise conductive silver paste drawing and component segmented curing connection. And copper plating, nickel plating, plasma activation, silver plating, 24K true gold plating and fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating spraying are sequentially completed. By accurately controlling parameters of each link and customizing materials, the finished product can keep the natural form and texture of the lotus, and the coating is high in adhesive force, resistant to corrosion, resistant to fingerprints and stable in structure and has aesthetic value and durability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of jewelry processing, specifically a lotus flower gilding process. Background Technology

[0002] With the upgrading of the high-end decoration market and the growth of cultural consumption demand, handicrafts that combine natural texture and luxury attributes are highly favored. Gold plating is widely used in decorative ornaments, cultural gifts and other fields because it can give products a brilliant appearance and long-term value retention. Products that combine natural plant elements with gold plating technology have become an important direction for industry innovation because they integrate natural texture and metallic luster.

[0003] As a classic element carrying the connotations of traditional culture, the lotus flower has extremely high aesthetic value due to the unique shape and texture of its petals and leaves. Lotus-themed handicrafts have always occupied an important share of the market. The existing lotus flowers and leaves on the market are mainly made of fabric or metal, which are simple in craftsmanship, rough in workmanship, and easily corroded, making them unsuitable for the devout faith of temples. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a lotus flower gold plating process to solve the technical problems of simple and rough workmanship in existing lotus flower and lotus leaf processes on the market.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a lotus flower gilding process, comprising the following steps:

[0006] S1: Pre-treatment of lotus petals: During the peak blooming period of lotus, select large, medium and small white lotus petals, fix them one by one using a mold with natural texture, and implement a gradient cooling low temperature vacuum dewatering process. First, cool down to 5℃ at a rate of 5℃ / h and keep warm for 12h, then cool down to -3~0℃ at a rate of 3℃ / h, and keep the vacuum degree at 0.05~0.08MPa for dewatering for 2~3 days. A thin layer of shape retention agent is pre-coated inside the mold.

[0007] S2: Lotus leaf pretreatment: Select lotus leaves in full bloom with a diameter of 8-10cm, 18-20cm or 25-28cm. After picking, place them in a 0-4℃ refrigerator for temporary storage within 1 hour. Transfer them to a drying barrel within 24 hours, with the concave side of the lotus leaves facing down. Use a layered gradient water absorption drying method. First, cover with 1cm thick silica gel water-absorbing powder and let stand for 2 days. Then, add 0.5cm thick silica gel water-absorbing powder containing 3%-5% activated carbon particles and continue drying for 2-4 days. During this period, turn the layers over once a day.

[0008] S3: Lotus seedpod pretreatment: Select lotus seedpods with a diameter of 3-5cm during the growing period, peel off the stamens one by one and place them in a plaster mold coated with biodegradable plant wax for 12 hours to set. After taking them out, put them in a drying bucket together with the lotus seedpods. Bury the lower half of the lotus seedpods with silica gel water-absorbing powder and leave the upper half exposed. Dry for 3-5 days, turning them over once a day.

[0009] S4: Branch pretreatment: Select lotus branches with a diameter of 8-12mm and a length of 28cm, 38cm or 68cm. After lightly sanding the surface with fine sandpaper, bury them in water-absorbing powder at 25℃ for 2 days, then cool them down to 20℃ and continue to pump water for 3-5 days.

[0010] S5: Gold oil treatment for petals and lotus leaves: Mix PU6008 gold oil at a mass ratio of 1:0.5. In summer, control the gold oil temperature at 20-22℃ and in winter at 25-28℃. Soak the petals and lotus leaves with the long iron wire attached for 5-10 seconds, then take them out and air dry for 30 minutes. Repeat the soaking and air drying steps 3-5 times. In winter, turn them over once every 10 minutes during the air drying process.

[0011] S6: Lotus seedpod gold oil treatment: Mix HT600 gold oil, pigment and anhydrous ethanol thinner in a mass ratio of 1:0.8:0.5. Dip the lotus seedpod with wire threaded on it into the gold oil pigment by rotating it at a speed of 30-50 r / min for 5-10 seconds. After taking it out, keep it rotating and drip filter for 20 minutes. Then continue to rotate it on the rotating machine for 1-2 hours to dry it.

[0012] S7: Lotus assembly: First, mark the positioning point with the center of the lotus seedpod as the reference. Then, glue the shaped stamens in two layers, staggered at 45°, on the outside of the positioning point. Then, with the help of a fine wooden needle, glue the medium and large petals in sequence along the positioning mark, starting with the small petals. The adjacent petals should overlap by 1-2mm. After gluing, let it stand in an environment of 25-30℃ for 1-2 hours. During this period, gently press the petals to fix them every 30 minutes.

[0013] S8: Crystal glue coating: Place the lotus flower, lotus leaf or lotus seedpod into the trapezoidal oil immersion tank, first coat with 0.1 to 0.15 mm thick 96 degree crystal glue, rotate and dry for 1 hour, repeat this operation 4 times until the total thickness reaches 0.3 to 0.5 mm, after it is completely dry, draw conductive silver paste.

[0014] S9: Component connection: Connect the component with the conductive silver paste after applying the curing adhesive to the pre-treated branch. First, place it in an environment of 15℃ for 6 hours, and then raise the temperature to 25℃ and place it for 18 hours to ensure complete curing.

[0015] S10: Overall electroplating: The assembled whole is vertically immersed in conductive silver paste for 3-5 seconds, taken out and air-dried for 2 hours. Then, copper plating, three water washes, nickel plating, three water washes, plasma activation treatment for 2 minutes, silver plating, three water washes, 24K gold plating, after gold plating, three water washes, and air-drying, a fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating is sprayed on.

[0016] The shape-preserving agent mentioned in step S1 is a mixture of sodium alginate and glycerin in a mass ratio of 3:1. The coating thickness is 0.02-0.03 mm. Before vacuum dehydration, the petals coated with the shape-preserving agent are pre-dried in an environment of 10°C for 30 minutes.

[0017] In step S2, the activated carbon particles have a particle size of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. During the layered gradient water absorption and drying process, the moisture content of the first layer of water-absorbing powder is controlled below 5%, and the moisture content of the second layer of water-absorbing powder containing activated carbon is controlled below 3%.

[0018] The biodegradable plant wax mentioned in step S3 is made by mixing beeswax and olive oil in a mass ratio of 4:1. The coating thickness is 0.01-0.02 mm. After the flower stamen is shaped, the mold along with the flower stamen is placed in a 30°C oven and heated for 5 minutes. Then it is naturally cooled to room temperature before demolding.

[0019] In step S5, repeat the soaking and drying process 3 times in summer and 5 times in winter. After each soaking, use a lint-free cloth to gently wipe away any excess gold oil from the edges of the petals to avoid accumulation and uneven coating.

[0020] The positioning marks mentioned in step S7 are drawn with water-soluble plant pigments. After assembly, the petal surface is lightly sprayed with 20°C warm water to remove the positioning marks.

[0021] The method for applying conductive silver paste in step S8 is as follows: first, apply silver paste in dots at 0.1mm intervals, and then use a clean brush to lightly sweep and blend along the dots to ensure that the silver paste evenly covers the edges and gaps.

[0022] In step S9, the amount of curing adhesive applied is controlled at 0.08 to 0.1 g per square centimeter. During the 15°C pre-curing stage, breathable gauze is used to cover the component connection to prevent dust from adhering. During the 25°C curing stage, the ambient humidity is maintained at 40% to 50%.

[0023] In step S10, the plasma activation treatment uses argon as the activation gas, with a gas flow rate of 10-15 L / min and an activation distance controlled at 5-8 cm.

[0024] After the fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating described in step S10 is sprayed, it is first dried in an environment of 25°C for 1 hour, and then kept warm in an environment of 40°C for 30 minutes.

[0025] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention performs targeted pretreatment on each component of the lotus flower; the lotus leaves undergo layered gradient water absorption and drying; the lotus pods and stems are stabilized through shaping and segmented constant-temperature water extraction; then, customized gold oil treatment is applied to the petals, leaves, and pods, ensuring uniform coating according to specific ratios and operating procedures; subsequently, the lotus flower is assembled using the pods as a reference, and after multiple rounds of crystal glue application and precise conductive silver paste application, the components and stems are segmentally cured and connected; finally, through multiple electroplating processes, combined with fluorine-containing nano-anti-fingerprint coating spraying, the finished product meets the standards in terms of shape retention, coating adhesion, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and appearance quality, preserving the natural texture of the lotus flower while possessing the luxurious feel and durability of gold plating. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

[0027] Example 1: Medium-sized gilded lotus flower (petal sizes: small 5cm, medium 7cm, large 9cm; lotus leaf diameter 18-20cm; lotus seedpod diameter 4cm; stem length 38cm)

[0028] A lotus flower gilding process includes the following steps:

[0029] S1: Pretreatment of lotus petals

[0030] Undamaged white lotus petals are selected during peak bloom and categorized by size into small (5cm), medium (7cm), and large (9cm) sizes to ensure clear texture and graceful shape for each petal. A silicone mold with natural texture matching the petal outline is used, with the mold surface replicating the natural veins of the lotus petal to avoid damaging the texture during pressing. A shape-retaining agent is pre-coated inside the mold, which is made of sodium alginate and glycerin mixed in a 3:1 mass ratio. The agent is applied using a micro-spraying method, and the coating thickness is monitored in real time using a coating thickness gauge, with the coating thickness controlled at 0.02-0.03mm. The petals coated with the shape-retaining agent are pre-dried in a constant temperature environment of 10℃ for 30 minutes to allow the shape-retaining agent to fully adhere to the petal surface, improving the subsequent adhesion of the gold oil.

[0031] After pre-drying, each petal was placed into a silicone mold and fixed. The mold was then placed in a low-temperature vacuum drying oven, and a gradient cooling low-temperature vacuum dehydration process was initiated: first, the temperature was lowered from room temperature to 5℃ at a rate of 5℃ / h and held for 12 hours to allow moisture to slowly seep out of the petals, preventing cell rupture; then, the temperature was lowered to -2℃ at a rate of 3℃ / h, and the vacuum was adjusted to 0.06MPa. This state was maintained for 2.5 days, during which the vacuum level and temperature were recorded every 12 hours to ensure parameter stability. After dehydration was completed, the temperature was slowly restored to normal atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The petals were then removed; at this point, the petals retained their natural shape, without shrinkage or deformation.

[0032] S2: Lotus leaf pretreatment

[0033] Select lotus leaves in full bloom with a diameter of 18-20cm. Immediately after picking, check the surface integrity to ensure there are no insects or yellow spots. Place them in a 0-4℃ refrigerator for temporary storage within 1 hour to reduce the curling caused by rapid moisture loss. Within 24 hours, place the lotus leaves in a layered stainless steel drying container, laying them flat on the first layer with the concave side down to avoid overlapping and compression.

[0034] A layered gradient water absorption and drying method was adopted: the first layer was a 1cm thick layer of type A silica gel water-absorbing powder, the moisture content of which was controlled below 5% by a moisture meter, and then left to stand for 2 days; then, a 0.5cm thick layer of silica gel water-absorbing powder containing 4% activated carbon particles was added on the surface of the first layer of water-absorbing powder, the moisture content of which was controlled below 3%, and drying continued for 3 days. During this period, the layers were turned over once a day using sterile bamboo tools. When turning the layers, the leaves were handled gently to avoid damaging the edges of the lotus leaves. After drying, the lotus leaves maintained a flat shape, with no wrinkles on the surface and no natural odor. The activated carbon adsorbed the trace volatile substances generated during the drying process.

[0035] S3: Lotus Seed Pod Pretreatment

[0036] Select lotus pods with a diameter of 4cm during their growth period. Use sterile scissors to peel off the stamens one by one, ensuring that the stamens are intact and unbroken. Place the stamens into a plaster mold coated with biodegradable plant wax. The biodegradable plant wax is made by mixing beeswax and olive oil in a mass ratio of 4:1, with a coating thickness of 0.015mm. The inner wall of the mold has 0.5mm ventilation holes to facilitate subsequent dewaxing. After the stamens have been shaped in the mold for 12 hours, a low-temperature dewaxing treatment is used: place the mold and stamens in a 30℃ oven and heat for 5 minutes to allow the plant wax to slightly melt and penetrate into the surface of the stamens to form a protective film. Then, allow it to cool naturally to room temperature and gently demold. At this point, the stamens have a good shape, with no wax residue and no surface damage.

[0037] After shaping, place the stamens and the main body of the lotus seedpod into a drying bucket and use a semi-buried drying method. Spread a 3cm thick layer of silica gel absorbent powder at the bottom of the drying bucket, bury the lower half of the lotus seedpod in the absorbent powder, and leave the upper half exposed to prevent the seeds from being deformed by pressure. Dry for 4 days, turning the seedpod over once a day with a sterile bamboo tool to ensure that all parts of the lotus seedpod are dried evenly. After drying, the lotus seeds are plump, stable in shape, and free from mold.

[0038] S4: Branch Pretreatment

[0039] Select lotus stems with a diameter of 10mm and a length of 38cm. Lightly sand the surface with 400-grit sandpaper to remove surface impurities and burrs, improving the adhesion of the curing adhesive. After sanding, wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. Use a segmented constant-temperature water extraction method: first, place the stems in a drying oven containing silica gel absorbent powder and bury them in the powder at 25℃ for 2 days to initially extract surface moisture; then, lower the temperature of the drying oven to 20℃ and continue water extraction for 4 days. During this period, check the moisture content of the absorbent powder every 24 hours. Replace it promptly when the moisture content exceeds 10% to ensure the water extraction effect. After treatment, the stems are hard, without hollow areas or cracks.

[0040] S5: Petal / Lotus Leaf Gold Oil Treatment

[0041] PU6008 gold oil was accurately mixed at a mass ratio of 1:0.5. In this example, which was done in summer, the temperature of the gold oil was controlled at 21°C using a constant temperature water bath. A 10cm long iron wire was glued to the base of the petals and the petiole of the lotus leaf with a small amount of curing adhesive. After it was glued, it was left to stand in a 25°C environment for 30 minutes to ensure that the iron wire was firmly bonded to the substrate.

[0042] Vertically immerse the petals and lotus leaves, with the wire attached, into the gold paint for 8 seconds, ensuring an even coating. Remove and hang to air dry in a dust-free, well-ventilated environment for 30 minutes. Repeat this immersion and drying process three times. After each immersion, gently wipe away excess gold paint from the edges of the petals and lotus leaves with a clean, lint-free cloth to prevent buildup and uneven coating. The finished gold paint coating on the petals and lotus leaves should be even, without drips or bubbles.

[0043] S6: Lotus Seed Pod Golden Oil Treatment

[0044] Mix HT600 gold oil, red pigment suitable for the natural color of lotus seedpods, and anhydrous ethanol thinner in a precise mass ratio of 1:0.8:0.5. After stirring evenly, let it stand for 10 minutes to eliminate air bubbles. Insert a long iron wire into the bottom of the lotus seedpod and secure it firmly. Fix the lotus seedpod on the rotating rod and start the rotating rod to rotate at a speed of 40 r / min. At the same time, slowly immerse the lotus seedpod in the gold oil pigment for 7 seconds to ensure that the gold oil pigment evenly covers the surface of the lotus seedpod and the gaps between the seeds. After removing it, maintain the 40 r / min rotation and drip filter for 20 minutes to remove excess gold oil. Then transfer the lotus seedpod to the rotating machine and continue to rotate for 1.5 hours to dry. Keep the drying environment dust-free, ventilated, and at a temperature of 25℃.

[0045] S7: Lotus Assembly

[0046] First, using the center of the lotus seedpod as a reference, draw positioning points and ring-shaped positioning marks with water-soluble gardenia yellow pigment. The width of the marks is 0.5mm. Then, glue the shaped flower stamens in two layers to the outside of the positioning points. The first layer of flower stamens has 6 stamens evenly distributed, and the second layer of flower stamens has 6 stamens distributed at a 45° angle to the first layer. When gluing, use a fine wooden needle to assist in positioning and ensure that the height of the flower stamens is consistent.

[0047] Next, starting with the small petals, medium and large petals are sequentially glued along the circular positioning marks in a crisscross pattern. A small amount of hardening adhesive (0.05g / petal) is applied to the base of each petal, with adjacent petals overlapping by 1.5mm to ensure a tight and natural arrangement. After gluing, the flower is placed in a constant temperature environment of 28℃ for 1.5 hours. During this time, the petals are gently pressed with a sterile cotton swab every 30 minutes to prevent displacement. Finally, the surface of the petals is lightly sprayed with 20℃ warm water to remove the gardenia yellow pigment positioning marks. After drying, there are no residues on the surface of the petals.

[0048] S8: Crystal glue coating

[0049] Place the lotus flowers, leaves, and seedpods into a trapezoidal oil immersion tank, and apply a 0.12mm thick layer of crystal glue evenly using a high-precision spray gun. Then, place the components into a rotating machine and rotate them at 20r / min to dry for 1 hour, ensuring that the crystal glue is evenly distributed and without accumulation. Repeat this operation 4 times to achieve a total crystal glue thickness of 0.4mm.

[0050] After the crystal glue has completely dried, you can check the stickiness of the surface by touch. Draw conductive silver paste along the edge of the component: Use a fine-tipped brush with a 0.1mm diameter tip to dot the conductive silver paste at 0.1mm intervals. After dotting, immediately use a clean brush to lightly sweep and blend along the dotting trajectory to ensure that the silver paste evenly covers the edges and gaps between petals and seeds, without any breaks or accumulation, thus improving the conductivity of subsequent electroplating.

[0051] S9: Component Connection

[0052] Using a curing adhesive, connect the lotus flowers and leaves (after applying conductive silver paste) to the pre-treated branches. The amount of curing adhesive applied should be controlled at 0.09g per square centimeter. First, place the assembly upside down in a 15℃ environment, cover the connection points with breathable gauze to prevent dust from adhering, and leave for 6 hours. Then, raise the ambient temperature to 25℃, maintain the ambient humidity at 45%, and continue to leave for 18 hours to ensure that the curing adhesive is completely cured. The tensile test shows that the tensile force at the connection point is ≥5N.

[0053] S10: Overall electroplating

[0054] The fully cured assembly is vertically immersed in conductive silver paste for 4 seconds, then removed and allowed to air dry in a dust-free environment for 2 hours. Electroplating is then performed according to the following procedure:

[0055] Copper plating: Place the components into the copper plating bath, control the plating solution temperature at 23℃, and the electroplating time at 1.5h to ensure that the copper layer thickness reaches 0.05mm;

[0056] Three water rinses: Each rinse lasts 1.5 minutes, using deionized water at a temperature of 20°C, to remove residual copper plating solution from the surface;

[0057] Nickel plating: Transfer to nickel plating bath, control the plating solution temperature at 48℃, electroplating time at 7 minutes, and the nickel layer thickness reaches 0.01mm;

[0058] Three-stage rinsing: The conditions are the same as the three-stage rinsing steps described above;

[0059] Plasma activation treatment: Place the component into the plasma activation equipment, introduce argon gas at a flow rate of 12L / min, activate at a distance of 6cm, and treat for 2 minutes to enhance the surface activity of the component.

[0060] Silver plating: Transfer to the silver plating bath, control the plating solution temperature at 23℃, electroplating time at 3 minutes, and the silver layer thickness reaches 0.005mm;

[0061] Three-stage rinsing: The conditions are the same as the three-stage rinsing steps described above;

[0062] 24K gold plating: Transfer to the gold plating bath, control the plating solution temperature at 28℃, electroplating time at 30s, and the gold layer thickness reaches 0.002mm;

[0063] Three-stage rinsing: The conditions are the same as the three-stage rinsing steps above, to thoroughly remove any residual gold plating solution.

[0064] After electroplating, allow the coating to air dry naturally. Then, use a spray gun to evenly spray a fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating. After that, let it air dry at 25℃ for 1 hour, and then put it in a 40℃ oven for 30 minutes to improve the coating's hardness and wear resistance.

[0065] Example 2: Large-sized gilded lotus flower (petal sizes: small 6cm, medium 8cm, large 10cm; lotus leaf diameter 25-28cm; lotus seedpod diameter 5cm; stem length 68cm)

[0066] The manufacturing process of this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, with only the following parameters adjusted according to the dimensions:

[0067] In S1, the vacuum pumping time is extended to 3 days, and the conformal coating thickness is 0.03mm.

[0068] In S2, the lotus leaf drying time is extended to 6 days, with 2 days for the first layer and 4 days for the second layer, and the activated carbon granules are added at 5%;

[0069] In S3, the drying time for lotus pods is extended to 5 days, and the thickness of the plant wax coating is 0.02mm.

[0070] The water pumping time for branches in S4 is extended to 5 days, 2 days in a 25℃ environment and 5 days in a 20℃ environment.

[0071] During winter application in S5, the temperature of the gold oil is controlled at 26℃. The soaking and drying steps are repeated 5 times, and the oil is turned over once every 10 minutes during each drying process.

[0072] In S6, the rotation speed of the rotating rod is adjusted to 30 r / min, the soaking time is 10 seconds, and the rotation drying time is 2 hours.

[0073] The petal overlap width in S7 is 2mm, and the settling time is 2 hours.

[0074] The total thickness of the crystal glue in S8 reaches 0.5mm, the spacing of the conductive silver paste dots is 0.1mm, and the uniformity of coverage is checked under a microscope after the diffusion.

[0075] The application rate of S9 medium-curing adhesive is 0.1 g / cm², and the humidity is controlled at 50% during the curing stage at 25℃.

[0076] In S10, the plasma activation argon flow rate is 15 L / min, the activation distance is 5 cm, the silver plating time is 5 min, and the gold plating time is 30 s.

[0077] Product Testing Standards

[0078] Shape retention: After 12 months of storage, the petals and lotus leaves show no shrinkage or deformation, with a size deviation of ≤±2%;

[0079] Coating performance: Gold layer adhesion passed the cross-cut adhesion test with a cross-cut spacing of 1mm and no peeling. Salt spray test: No corrosion was observed after 48 hours in 5% NaCl solution.

[0080] Surface properties: Anti-fingerprint coating with a contact angle ≥110°, no obvious fingerprint residue after 500 wipes;

[0081] Mechanical properties: tensile strength at component connection points ≥5N, petals and lotus leaves withstand ≥10 folds, and no breakage at a bending angle of 30°;

[0082] Appearance quality: The surface is free of bubbles, drips, and scratches; the gold-plated edges are uniform and bright, with consistent color.

[0083] Experimental Results and Data Support

[0084] To verify the necessity and technical effectiveness of the process parameters of this invention, the following comparative experiments were conducted:

[0085] Comparison of shape retention agent ratios: Using sodium alginate and glycerol in ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 respectively, after treatment in step S1, the 3:1 ratio showed the best petal shape retention and the clearest texture.

[0086] Conformant ratio Petal shape retention rate petal shrinkage rate 2:1 82% 15% 3:1 98% 2% 4:1 90% 8%

[0087] Comparison of moisture content control during drying: In step S2, the method of controlling moisture content without controlling it was compared with the method of controlling moisture content according to the present invention. The results showed that the flatness of the lotus leaves was significantly improved by using the moisture content control method of the present invention (first layer < 5%, second layer < 3%) (flatness deviation is the difference between the highest and lowest points on the lotus leaf surface), which was 0.8 mm. The deviation value without controlling moisture content was 3.2 mm. The drying time was shortened by about 20%, and no odor was generated.

[0088] Verification of seasonal differences in gold oil treatment: The drying speed of gold oil under different seasonal temperatures and humidity levels was recorded. Data shows that in the hot and humid summer, three cycles are required to form a uniform coating, while in the cold and humid winter, five cycles are required to achieve the same effect; otherwise, uneven coating is likely to occur.

[0089] season Temperature / Humidity Loop count Uniformity pass rate Drying rate (h / cycle of air drying) bubble rate summer 28℃ / 65% 3 96% 0.5 1.2% summer 28℃ / 65% 2 72% 0.5 4.8% winter 10℃ / 30% 5 95% 1.2 1.5% winter 10℃ / 30% 3 68% 1.2 5.3%

[0090] Note: Coating uniformity pass rate = number of components without sagging or missed coating / total number of components × 100%; Bubble rate = area of ​​coating with bubbles / total coating area × 100%.

[0091] Plasma activation parameter optimization: Comparing the coating adhesion under different gases, such as air, nitrogen, argon, and distance, the gold coating showed the best adhesion in the cross-cut adhesion test after activation with argon at a flow rate of 10-15 L / min and a distance of 5-8 cm.

[0092] Activated gas Gas flow rate (L / min) Activation distance (cm) Gold plating peeling area in cross-cut adhesion test Air 12 6 45% Nitrogen 12 6 28% Argon 10 8 2% Argon 12 6 1.5% Argon 15 5 2.3% Argon 8 4 8%

[0093] Note: The grid spacing for the 100-grid test is 1mm. The area of ​​detachment = number of detached grids / total number of grids × 100%; Level 1 indicates no detachment, and Level 5 indicates large-area detachment.

[0094] Comparative Example 1: The gradient cooling and shape-preserving agent coating steps in S1 were omitted, and drying was carried out at room temperature. Result: The petals were severely shrunken, curled, and lost their shape.

[0095] Comparative Example 2: The conductive silver paste application step in S8 was omitted, and electroplating was performed directly. Result: The plating layer was discontinuous, with large areas of unplated areas and uneven metallic luster.

[0096] Comparative Example 3: The plasma activation treatment in S10 was replaced with ordinary alcohol wiping. Result: The adhesion of the gold plating layer decreased significantly, and the peeling area in the cross-cut adhesion test was >30%.

[0097] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, these specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit it. The specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A lotus flower gilding process, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Pre-treatment of lotus petals: During the peak blooming period of lotus, select large, medium and small white lotus petals, fix them one by one using a mold with natural texture, and implement a gradient cooling low temperature vacuum dewatering process. First, cool down to 5℃ at a rate of 5℃ / h and keep warm for 12h, then cool down to -3~0℃ at a rate of 3℃ / h, and keep the vacuum degree at 0.05~0.08MPa for dewatering for 2~3 days. A thin layer of shape retention agent is pre-coated inside the mold. S2: Lotus leaf pretreatment: Select lotus leaves in full bloom with a diameter of 8-10cm, 18-20cm or 25-28cm. After picking, place them in a 0-4℃ refrigerator for temporary storage within 1 hour. Transfer them to a drying barrel within 24 hours, with the concave side of the lotus leaves facing down. Use a layered gradient water absorption drying method. First, cover with 1cm thick silica gel water-absorbing powder and let stand for 2 days. Then, add 0.5cm thick silica gel water-absorbing powder containing 3%-5% activated carbon particles and continue drying for 2-4 days. During this period, turn the layers over once a day. S3: Lotus seedpod pretreatment: Select lotus seedpods with a diameter of 3-5cm during the growing period, peel off the stamens one by one and place them in a plaster mold coated with biodegradable plant wax for 12 hours to set. After taking them out, put them in a drying bucket together with the lotus seedpods. Bury the lower half of the lotus seedpods with silica gel water-absorbing powder and leave the upper half exposed. Dry for 3-5 days, turning them over once a day. S4: Branch pretreatment: Select lotus branches with a diameter of 8-12mm and a length of 28cm, 38cm or 68cm. After lightly sanding the surface with fine sandpaper, bury them in water-absorbing powder at 25℃ for 2 days, then cool them down to 20℃ and continue to pump water for 3-5 days. S5: Gold oil treatment for petals and lotus leaves: Mix PU6008 gold oil at a mass ratio of 1:0.

5. In summer, control the gold oil temperature at 20-22℃ and in winter at 25-28℃. Soak the petals and lotus leaves with the long iron wire attached for 5-10 seconds, then take them out and air dry for 30 minutes. Repeat the soaking and air drying steps 3-5 times. In winter, turn them over once every 10 minutes during the air drying process. S6: Lotus seedpod gold oil treatment: Mix HT600 gold oil, pigment and anhydrous ethanol thinner in a mass ratio of 1:0.8:0.

5. Dip the lotus seedpod with wire threaded on it into the gold oil pigment by rotating it at a speed of 30-50 r / min for 5-10 seconds. After taking it out, keep it rotating and drip filter for 20 minutes. Then continue to rotate it on the rotating machine for 1-2 hours to dry it. S7: Lotus assembly: First, mark the positioning point with the center of the lotus seedpod as the reference. Then, glue the shaped stamens in two layers, staggered at 45°, on the outside of the positioning point. Then, with the help of a fine wooden needle, glue the medium and large petals in sequence along the positioning mark, starting with the small petals. The adjacent petals should overlap by 1-2mm. After gluing, let it stand in an environment of 25-30℃ for 1-2 hours. During this period, gently press the petals to fix them every 30 minutes. S8: Crystal glue coating: Place the lotus flower, lotus leaf or lotus seedpod into the trapezoidal oil immersion tank, first coat with 0.1 to 0.15 mm thick 96 degree crystal glue, rotate and dry for 1 hour, repeat this operation 4 times until the total thickness reaches 0.3 to 0.5 mm, after it is completely dry, draw conductive silver paste. S9: Component connection: Connect the component with the conductive silver paste after applying the curing adhesive to the pre-treated branch. First, place it in an environment of 15℃ for 6 hours, and then raise the temperature to 25℃ and place it for 18 hours to ensure complete curing. S10: Overall electroplating: The assembled whole is vertically immersed in conductive silver paste for 3-5 seconds, taken out and air-dried for 2 hours. Then, copper plating, three water washes, nickel plating, three water washes, plasma activation treatment for 2 minutes, silver plating, three water washes, 24K gold plating, after gold plating, three water washes, and air-drying, a fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating is sprayed on.

2. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape-preserving agent mentioned in step S1 is a mixture of sodium alginate and glycerin in a mass ratio of 3:

1. The coating thickness is 0.02-0.03 mm. Before vacuum dehydration, the petals coated with the shape-preserving agent are pre-dried in an environment of 10°C for 30 minutes.

3. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the activated carbon particles have a particle size of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. During the layered gradient water absorption and drying process, the moisture content of the first layer of water-absorbing powder is controlled below 5%, and the moisture content of the second layer of water-absorbing powder containing activated carbon is controlled below 3%.

4. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biodegradable plant wax mentioned in step S3 is made by mixing beeswax and olive oil in a mass ratio of 4:

1. The coating thickness is 0.01-0.02 mm. After the flower stamen is shaped, the mold along with the flower stamen is placed in a 30°C oven and heated for 5 minutes. Then it is naturally cooled to room temperature before demolding.

5. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S5, repeat the soaking and drying process 3 times in summer and 5 times in winter. After each soaking, use a lint-free cloth to gently wipe away any excess gold oil from the edges of the petals to avoid accumulation and uneven coating.

6. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning marks mentioned in step S7 are drawn with water-soluble plant pigments. After assembly, the petal surface is lightly sprayed with 20°C warm water to remove the positioning marks.

7. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for applying conductive silver paste in step S8 is as follows: first, apply silver paste in dots at 0.1mm intervals, and then use a clean brush to lightly sweep and blend along the dots to ensure that the silver paste evenly covers the edges and gaps.

8. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S9, the amount of curing adhesive applied is controlled at 0.08 to 0.1 g per square centimeter. During the 15°C pre-curing stage, breathable gauze is used to cover the component connection to prevent dust from adhering. During the 25°C curing stage, the ambient humidity is maintained at 40% to 50%.

9. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S10, the plasma activation treatment uses argon as the activation gas, with a gas flow rate of 10-15 L / min and an activation distance controlled at 5-8 cm.

10. The lotus flower gilding process according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the fluorine-containing nano anti-fingerprint coating described in step S10 is sprayed, it is first dried in an environment of 25°C for 1 hour, and then kept warm in an environment of 40°C for 30 minutes.