Decorative materials

Abstract

To provide a decorative member in which printed design is hardly spoiled.SOLUTION: Provided is a decorative member, which is a copper alloy decorative member 1, and includes at least a base material body 2 made of a copper alloy, a decorative layer 4 made of a resin, a metal layer 5 as an intermediate layer, and a DLC coating layer 6 made of an amorphous carbon coating classified as ta-C. The metal layer 5 is arranged so as to be interposed between the DLC coating layer 6 and the base material body 2 in a laminated layer state. A decorative layer 4 is arranged so as to be interposed between the metal layer 5 and the base material body 2 in a laminated layer state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative member made of a copper alloy. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which printing is applied to the plated surface of a sanitary faucet made of a copper alloy, and then the surface is coated with a clear lacquer coating as a protective film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-346492 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the clear lacquer coating discolors and loses transparency due to aging, and is easily scratched when cleaned, so the design of the print is easily damaged. Therefore, the present invention provides a decorative member that does not easily damage the design of the print. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the decorative member of the present invention takes the following measures. That is, the decorative member of the present invention is a copper alloy decorative member, and includes at least a copper alloy base body, a resin decorative layer, a metal layer, and a DLC coating layer consisting of a ta-C coating. The metal layer is disposed between the DLC coating layer and the base body. The decorative layer is disposed between the metal layer and the base body.

[0006] Here, the DLC coating is generally known as an amorphous carbon coating containing an SP-3 structure. DLC is classified into four types based on the ratio of SP-2 bonds to SP-3 bonds and the hydrogen content: ta-C (tetrahedral amorphous carbon), aC (amorphous carbon), ta-C:H (hydrogenated tetrahedral amorphous carbon), and aC:H (hydrogenated amorphous carbon).

[0007] Of these, ta-C is known to have the highest ratio of SP-3 structure among DLCs, and is the densest and hardest. In addition, ta-C is also excellent in wear resistance, insulation, heat resistance, and chemical non-reactivity. It is said that ta-C can be formed by the vacuum arc deposition method, which is classified as a PVD method (physical vapor deposition method). The vacuum arc deposition method is a method of depositing a thin film on a workpiece by using vacuum arc plasma (vacuum arc discharge plasma) containing high-energy ions generated by arc discharge (vacuum arc discharge) in a vacuum.

[0008] According to the above configuration, a resin decorative layer is provided on the base material body, and a DLC coating layer made of a ta-C coating is provided on the surface of the resin decorative layer, thereby forming a decorative pattern on the surface of the decorative member, and appropriately improving the wear resistance, weather resistance, corrosion resistance, and scratch resistance of the member surface. The DLC coating layer is provided on the base material body with a metal layer as an intermediate layer in between, so that the DLC coating layer is formed on the base material body with good adhesion. These configurations make it difficult to impair the design of the printing on the decorative member.

[0009] The decorative member of the present invention may be further configured as follows: The decorative layer has a heat resistance of 150° C. or more and a linear expansion coefficient of 0.1 to 0.6×10 -4 / ℃. The linear expansion coefficient of copper alloy is generally about 18×10 -6 / °C. If there is a large difference in the linear expansion coefficient between the resin used in the decorative layer and the copper alloy, there is a concern that when they are heated to high temperatures, large thermal stress will occur between them, making them more susceptible to cracking and peeling.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned configuration, by using a resin having a linear expansion coefficient close to that of the copper alloy and having high heat resistance for the decorative layer, the decorative layer can be provided in a state where it is properly adhered to the base material body. -4 Examples of resins that can be used at 100°C include epoxy resins and phenolic resins.

[0011] The decorative member of the present invention may further be configured as follows. The DLC coating layer contains 50 to 90% of the SP-3 structure, and has a thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 μm. According to the above configuration, the DLC coating layer is formed into a thin film within the above thickness range, so that the DLC coating layer is formed semi-transparently, and the decorative pattern due to the decorative layer can be transmitted through the surface of the member. Furthermore, by setting the DLC coating layer within the above thickness range, it is possible to form a decorative pattern on the surface of the member in a shape that depends on the uneven shape due to the thickness of the decorative layer. According to the above configuration, the decorative pattern due to the decorative layer can be appropriately formed on the surface of the decorative member.

[0012] The decorative member of the present invention may be further configured as follows. The decorative member further includes a plating layer, which is disposed between the base material body and the decorative layer and is made of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and chromium. According to the above configuration, the durability of the decorative member can be more appropriately improved by the plating layer made of a metal selected from the above group. In addition, when the DLC coating layer is formed as a thin, semi-transparent film, the metallic luster of the plating layer can be transmitted to the surface of the member.

[0013] The decorative member of the present invention may be further configured as follows: The decorative layer is formed by at least one printing method selected from the group consisting of pad printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, water transfer printing, and offset printing. According to the above configuration, the decorative layer can be formed on the base material body with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a decorative member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of a decorative member (when a plating layer is provided). [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of a decorative member (when no plating layer is provided). [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are process diagrams showing a method for producing a decorative member (when a plating layer is provided). [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are process diagrams showing a method for producing a decorative member (when no plating layer is provided). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (Decorative material 1) First, the configuration of a decorative member 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the decorative member 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a faucet pipe used in an indoor wet environment. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the decorative member 1 includes a base material body 2 made of a copper alloy, a resin decorative layer 4 printed on the surface of the base material body 2, a metal layer 5 coated on the surface of the base material body 2 including the decorative layer 4, and a DLC coating layer 6 coated on the surface of the metal layer 5.

[0017] More specifically, the decorative member 1 according to this embodiment has a configuration that can be selectively applied according to the application from two types: a decorative member 1A of a type in which a plating layer 3 is provided between a base material main body 2 and a decorative layer 4 as shown in Fig. 2, and a decorative member 1B of a type in which a plating layer is not provided as shown in Fig. 3. The decorative member 1A of the type shown in Fig. 2 has a configuration in which a plating layer 3 is formed on the surface of a base material main body 2, and a decorative layer 4 is provided in a laminated form on a part of the surface of the plating layer 3.

[0018] The decorative member 1A of the above type is configured such that the entire surface of the plating layer 3 including the decorative layer 4 is coated with a thin-film metal layer 5, and further, the entire surface of the metal layer 5 is coated with a thin-film DLC coating layer 6A. As a result, the decorative member 1A is configured such that the thin-film metal layer 5 and DLC coating layer 6A are formed semi-transparently, allowing the decorative pattern of the decorative layer 4 and the metallic luster of the plating layer 3 to be transmitted through the member surface. In addition, convex parts D that protrude in a shape dependent on the convex shape of the decorative layer 4 are formed on the member surface of the decorative member 1A as the decorative layer 4 is laminated.

[0019] 3, a decorative member 1B has a structure in which a decorative layer 4 is provided in a laminated manner directly on a portion of the surface of a base material body 2. In the decorative member 1B of the above type, the entire surface of the base material body 2 including the decorative layer 4 is coated with a thin metal layer 5, and further, the entire surface of the metal layer 5 is coated with a thick DLC coating layer 6B.

[0020] As a result, the decorative member 1B has a DLC coating layer 6B formed as a thick, opaque coating with a dark blue color, and the decorative layer 4 and the base material body 2 on the back side are appropriately protected by the DLC coating layer 6B. In addition, a convex portion D is formed on the surface of the decorative member 1B, protruding in a shape dependent on the convex shape of the decorative layer 4 as the decorative layer 4 is laminated. The specific configuration of each part constituting the decorative member 1 will be described below.

[0021] In this description, the decorative member 1 is a general term for the above-mentioned decorative member 1A and decorative member 1B, and the DLC coating layer 6 is a general term for the above-mentioned DLC coating layer 6A and DLC coating layer 6B.

[0022] (Base material body 2) The base material body 2 is made of a copper alloy containing copper as a main component. Specifically, the base material body 2 is made of a copper alloy containing 50% or more copper, with the remainder being lead, zinc, tin, iron, nickel, and antimony. The base material body 2 may be made of pure copper, brass, bronze, cupronickel, or nickel silver. The specific shape of the base material body 2 is not particularly limited, and may be a tubular shape such as a circular tube or a square tube, a columnar shape such as a cylindrical or square column, a spherical shape, or a plate shape.

[0023] After casting, the base material body 2 is cut to form a predetermined shape, and then the surface is buffed to a predetermined roughness (pre-process S1: see Figs. 4 and 5). Thereafter, the base material body 2 undergoes a lead removal process S2 as shown in Fig. 4, and is then subjected to a plating process S3 (in the case of the decorative member 1A) as shown in Fig. 4 or a mirror finish process S4 (in the case of the decorative member 1B) as shown in Fig. 5.

[0024] In the plating process S3 shown in Fig. 4, nickel plating and chrome plating are applied in this order to the entire surface of the base material body 2, as shown in Fig. 2, to form a laminated plating layer 3. In the mirror finish process S4 shown in Fig. 5, the entire surface of the base material body 2 is polished to a mirror-like state. After the plating process S3 (see Fig. 4) or the mirror finish process S4 (see Fig. 5), the base material body 2 is subjected to a printing process S5.

[0025] At this time, when the decorative member 1 is a decorative member 1A of the type shown in Fig. 2, a resin decorative layer 4 is printed on a part of the surface of the plating layer 3 in a printing step S5 shown in Fig. 4. When the decorative member 1 is a decorative member 1B of the type shown in Fig. 3, a resin decorative layer 4 is printed on a part of the surface of the base material main body 2 in a printing step S5 shown in Fig. 5.

[0026] 4 and 5, after the printing step S5, the base material body 2 is subjected to a cleaning treatment step S6, where dirt adhering to the surface is removed and the base material body 2 is cleaned. The base material body 2 is then subjected to a metal layer deposition step S7, where a metal layer 5 that will become an intermediate layer is deposited on the surface of the base material body 2. The base material body 2 is then subjected to a DLC coating layer deposition step S8, where a DLC coating layer 6 classified as ta-C is deposited on the surface of the metal layer 5 deposited on the surface of the base material body 2. Each step will be described in detail below.

[0027] (Plating process S3) In the plating process S3 shown in Fig. 4, as shown in Fig. 2, nickel plating and chrome plating using electroplating are performed in this order on the entire surface of the base material body 2 to form a plating layer 3 having a nickel plating layer 3A and a chrome plating layer 3B in a laminated state. The nickel plating layer 3A is preferably formed to a thickness of about 0.6 µm. The chrome plating layer 3B is preferably formed to a thickness of about 0.3 µm. The corrosion resistance of the base material body 2 is appropriately improved by providing the nickel plating layer 3A in a laminated state on its surface.

[0028] Furthermore, by further providing a chrome plating layer 3B on the surface of the nickel plating layer 3A, the base material body 2 is appropriately improved in scratch resistance and finished into a good-looking shape with metallic luster. The plating layer 3 formed in the plating process S3 may be only the nickel plating layer 3A or only the chrome plating layer 3B. The nickel plating layer 3A has excellent adhesion to the copper alloy constituting the base material body 2, is hard, and has excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance. The chrome plating layer 3B serves as a protective film for the nickel plating layer 3A and has excellent light reflectivity, heat reflectivity, and corrosion resistance.

[0029] (Mirror finish processing step S4) 5, the entire surface of the base material body 2 is subjected to a blasting treatment (mirror finishing treatment) using a medium with a small particle size (for example, SDC: metal-coated synthetic diamond #10000 or other media) to finish the entire surface of the base material body 2 in a mirror-like polished state. This mirror finishing treatment removes scratches on the surface of the base material body 2 caused by the previous buffing.

[0030] In the mirror finish process S4, the entire surface of the base material body 2 is ground to a uniform depth of 2 μm or less. This mirror finish process finishes the surface of the base material body 2 so that the arithmetic mean roughness (surface roughness) Ra specified in JIS B 0601-2001 is 0.1 μm or less. The surface roughness of the base material body 2 finished by the mirror finish process can be appropriately controlled by adjusting the grain size, shape, material, projection pressure, projection density, etc. of the media.

[0031] (Printing process S5) In the printing step S5 shown in Fig. 4, a resin-made decorative layer 4 is printed on a part of the surface of the plating layer 3 as shown in Fig. 2. In the printing step S5 shown in Fig. 5, a resin-made decorative layer 4 is printed on a part of the surface of the base material body 2 as shown in Fig. 3. The method for printing the decorative layer 4 on the printing surface is not particularly limited, but examples include pad printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, water transfer printing, and offset printing.

[0032] Pad printing is a printing method in which ink is filled into a dot pattern on an etched metal plate, and then a silicone pad is used to transfer the ink in the dot pattern and press it against the surface to be printed to transfer the pattern. In pad printing, a resilient silicone pad is used to transfer the pattern, so it is possible to print appropriately even if the surface to be printed is curved rather than flat.

[0033] Inkjet printing is a known printing method in which printing is performed by spraying ink from electronically controlled head nozzles. By using inkjet printing, multi-color printing and 3D printing can be performed inexpensively and with high accuracy. When performing inkjet printing, it is recommended to attach an adhesive transparent film (not shown) as a base to the surface to be printed, and spray ink onto the transparent film. This makes it possible to perform high-precision printing on the surface to be printed.

[0034] Screen printing is a well-known printing method in which ink is placed on a plate with holes and then a squeegee is used to push the ink through the holes onto the surface to be printed, transferring a pattern onto the surface to be printed. Screen printing makes it possible to apply a thick layer of ink onto the surface to be printed.

[0035] Water transfer printing (hydraulic transfer printing) is a well-known printing method in which a special film is floated on the water surface, and the ink printed on the film is transferred to the printing surface by the water pressure that sinks the printing surface onto the film from above. By using water transfer printing, it is possible to print appropriately even if the printing surface is curved rather than flat.

[0036] Offset printing is a well-known printing method in which ink is applied to a flat, even plate, the ink on the plate is transferred to a blanket cylinder, and then the ink is transferred from the blanket cylinder to a surface to be printed. By using offset printing, the plate does not come into direct contact with the surface to be printed, so that wear on the plate can be suppressed and a clear pattern can be transferred.

[0037] The printing step S5 may be a combination of the above-mentioned printing methods to print the decorative layer 4. In each of the above-mentioned printing methods, the ink used to transfer the pattern as the decorative layer 4 contains an epoxy resin and / or a phenol resin.

[0038] Epoxy resin has a heat resistance of 150 to 200°C and a linear expansion coefficient of 0.2 to 0.4 × 10 -4 / ℃. Phenol resin has a heat resistance of 150℃ and a linear expansion coefficient of about 0.4×10 -4 The decorative layer 4 may be made of a resin other than the epoxy resin or phenol resin, but it is preferred that the resin has a heat resistance of 150° C. or higher and a linear expansion coefficient of 0.1 to 0.6×10 -4 It is preferable that the resin used is 100 / °C.

[0039] The reason is as follows. In general, the linear expansion coefficient of the copper alloy constituting the base material body 2 is about 18×10 -6 / °C. If the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the resin and the copper alloy used in the decorative layer 4 is large, there is a concern that when they are heated to high temperatures, a large thermal stress will occur between them, making them more likely to crack or peel off. Therefore, by using a resin with a linear expansion coefficient close to that of the copper alloy and a high heat resistance temperature for the decorative layer 4, the decorative layer 4 can be provided in a state where it is properly adhered to the printing surface.

[0040] (Cleaning process S6) 4 and 5, the cleaning process S6 removes dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned by a cleaning method using a hydrocarbon-based cleaning liquid. Note that the cleaning process S6 may be a process of cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned by a cleaning method using an aqueous cleaning liquid, a semi-aqueous cleaning liquid, or a chlorine-, bromine-, or fluorine-based solvent-based cleaning liquid.

[0041] In the cleaning process S6, first, a rough cleaning is performed by removing abrasives attached to the surface of the object to be cleaned using water cleaning. Next, the main cleaning is performed by cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned using emulsion cleaning. This emulsion cleaning combines an ultrasonic cleaning method in which water is vibrated using ultrasonic waves, and a vacuum cleaning method in which the inside of the cleaning tank is repeatedly depressurized to near vacuum and then abdominally pressurized.

[0042] Combining emulsion cleaning with ultrasonic cleaning makes it possible to effectively clean dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned. Combining emulsion cleaning with vacuum cleaning makes it possible to make the cleaning liquid penetrate into blind holes and blind holes that cannot be cleaned under atmospheric pressure, and to effectively clean even small gaps in the object to be cleaned. In particular, combining vacuum cleaning with ultrasonic cleaning makes it possible to perform more effective cleaning because the effect of ultrasonic waves is higher than that under atmospheric pressure. In addition to or instead of the above cleaning methods, emulsion cleaning may be combined with a degassing cleaning method, a rotating cleaning method, a swinging cleaning method, or a shower cleaning method.

[0043] Combining the degassing cleaning method can further increase the effectiveness of ultrasonic waves when using ultrasonic cleaning methods. Combining the rotating cleaning method and the oscillating cleaning method can physically create a flow of cleaning liquid, further increasing the cleaning effect. In addition, ultrasonic waves can easily hit the surface of the object to be cleaned evenly. Other methods for physically creating a flow of cleaning liquid include circulating water and bubbling it. In addition, combining the shower cleaning method makes it possible to spray the cleaning liquid not only from above but also from the sides and below the object to perform appropriate cleaning. Other cleaning methods include high-pressure jet cleaning, spray cleaning, and brush cleaning.

[0044] By the above cleaning, dirt such as oil adhering to the surface of the object to be cleaned is dissolved in the cleaning liquid and dispersed throughout the cleaning liquid. Also, dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned is dissolved in the cleaning liquid and replaced by the cleaning liquid. Next, in the cleaning process step S6, a process of vapor cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned is performed as a rinsing cleaning. In vapor cleaning, the cleaning liquid is boiled and steam is used to clean the dirt remaining on the surface of the object to be cleaned with even higher accuracy.

[0045] Next, in the cleaning process S6, a drying process is performed to dry the cleaning liquid remaining on the surface of the object to be cleaned. This drying process is performed by so-called vacuum drying. Vacuum drying is a known method in which the inside of the cleaning tank is depressurized to near vacuum to rapidly increase the boiling point of the cleaning liquid and dry the cleaning liquid by bumping. By using vacuum drying, the bumping drying of the cleaning liquid can be effectively promoted by the depressurization inside the cleaning tank that has been heated by the previous vapor cleaning, and the object to be cleaned can be appropriately dried so as not to leave stains on the surface.

[0046] The drying process may be performed by hot air drying or suction drying. Hot air drying is a known method for drying the surface of the object to be cleaned by blowing hot air into the inside of the cleaning tank. Suction drying is a known method for drying the surface of the object to be cleaned by blowing compressed hot air into the inside of the cleaning tank and simultaneously drawing it out from the opposite side with a suction blower. Hot air drying and suction drying can also be applied to cleaning tanks that use aqueous cleaning liquids in which vacuum drying is not possible.

[0047] (metal layer 5) When the decorative member 1 is a decorative member 1A of the type shown in FIG. 2, the metal layer 5 is formed in a laminated form with a uniform thickness on the entire surface of the plating layer 3 including the decorative layer 4. When the decorative member 1 is a decorative member 1B of the type shown in FIG. 3, the metal layer 5 is formed in a laminated form with a uniform thickness on the entire surface of the base material body 2 including the decorative layer 4, as shown in FIG. 3. The metal layer 5 functions as an intermediate layer for forming a DLC coating layer 6, which will be described later, on the surface of the metal layer 5 with good adhesion. The metal layer 5 may be formed partially on the surface that leaves a part of the plating layer 3 (see FIG. 2) or the base material body 2 (see FIG. 3).

[0048] At least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, chromium, tungsten, and silicon can be used for the metal layer 5. The metal layer 5 may have a single-layer structure made of one metal selected from the above group, or may have a laminated structure made of two or more metals. When the metal layer 5 is formed in a single-layer structure, it is preferable that the metal layer 5 is made of titanium, which has excellent corrosion resistance and excellent adhesion to the plating layer 3 (see FIG. 2), the base material body 2 (see FIG. 3), and the DLC coating layer 6.

[0049] When the metal layer 5 is made of titanium, the thickness is preferably about 0.2 μm when the decorative member 1 is the decorative member 1A of the type shown in Fig. 2. By depositing titanium to become the metal layer 5 to the above thickness, the metal layer 5 can be formed to be semi-transparent so as to be able to transmit the decorative layer 4 underneath. Note that when the decorative member 1 is the decorative member 1B of the type shown in Fig. 3, it is also preferable to deposit titanium to become the metal layer 5 to the above thickness.

[0050] The metal layer 5 is formed in a laminated form on the surface of the substrate by a sputtering method classified as a PVD method (physical vapor deposition method) in a metal layer forming step S7 shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the metal layer forming step S7, first, an ion bombardment process is performed using argon ions to remove a passivation film such as an oxide film or a hydroxide film appearing on the surface of the substrate.

[0051] Next, by sputtering, a negative voltage is applied to a cathode target (film-forming material) in a vacuum into which an inert gas (argon gas) has been introduced, generating a glow discharge, and the gas ions are collided with the film-forming material to knock out particles of the film-forming material, which are then attached and deposited on the surface of the film-forming body to form a dense thin film. By forming the metal layer 5 by sputtering, a dense and highly adhesive thin film can be formed on the surface of the film-forming body without exposing the film-forming body to liquid or high-temperature gas.

[0052] The metal layer 5 may be formed on the surface of the substrate by arc ion plating, instead of sputtering. The arc ion plating is a known method in which a film-forming material is evaporated in a vacuum, and the positively charged film-forming material ionized by arc discharge is attracted to the surface of the substrate to which a negative charge has been applied, forming a film.

[0053] (DLC coating layer 6) The DLC coating layer 6 is formed in a laminated form with a uniform thickness on the surface of the metal layer 5 by a vacuum arc deposition method classified as a PVD method (physical vapor deposition method) in a DLC coating layer forming step S8 shown in Figures 4 and 5. The DLC coating layer 6 is formed by the vacuum arc deposition method as a coating layer classified as ta-C, which has the highest ratio of SP-3 structure among DLCs (diamond-like carbons) and is characterized by the highest density and hardness. ta-C is amorphous carbon with a ratio of SP-3 structure of 50% to 90% and a hydrogen content of 5 mass % or less.

[0054] Specifically, the DLC coating layer 6 is formed by a known FCVA method (filtered cathodic vacuum arc method), which is known as a method that can form a film with fewer surface defects among vacuum arc deposition methods. The FCVA method is a known method that, when a ta-C coating is deposited on a workpiece by vacuum arc deposition, filters out droplets (macroparticles having an SP-2 structure or a composition structure similar thereto), which are electrically neutral evaporated particles that can be emitted from solid graphite, which is the evaporation source of the cathode target, from the plasma during plasma transport, making it difficult for them to adhere to the coating.

[0055] Since droplets are less likely to adhere to the coating, the coating surface can be formed in a shape that ensures geometric uniformity (flatness) and chemical uniformity with few irregularities. As a result, the DLC coating layer 6 can be formed in a shape that has a smooth surface and is less likely to deteriorate in mechanical properties. The DLC coating layer 6 is preferably formed using the above-mentioned FCVA method so that the surface roughness Ra is 0.1 μm or less and the surface defects are 20% or less. In addition, the DLC coating layer 6 is preferably formed to a thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 μm and a Vickers hardness of the coating of 1,500 to 5,000 Hv. When the thickness of the coating is several tens of nm to several tens of μm, the hardness of the coating may be indicated by nanoindentation hardness.

[0056] The DLC coating layer 6 is preferably formed as a ta-C coating having a surface layer refractive index of 1.5 to 3.0 at a wavelength of 550 nm using the above-mentioned FCVA method. Methods for measuring the refractive index include the well-known spectroscopic ellipsometry method (analysis method for measuring the change in the polarization state of incident light and reflected light from a thin film) and optical interference method, which are known as methods for determining the refractive index of thin films.

[0057] The refractive index of the surface portion of the DLC coating layer 6 is small when the density of the DLC coating layer 6 is low, because incident light is absorbed within the coating and the amount of reflected light is reduced. Conversely, the refractive index of the surface portion of the DLC coating layer 6 is large when the density of the DLC coating layer 6 is high, because incident light is less easily absorbed within the coating and the amount of reflected light is increased.

[0058] Therefore, by providing a DLC coating layer 6 made of a high-density ta-C coating having the above-mentioned refractive index on the base material body 2, it is possible to appropriately prevent moisture from penetrating from the surface of the component. The DLC coating layer 6 is provided on the base material body 2 with the metal layer 5, which serves as an intermediate layer, interposed therebetween, so that it is formed with good adhesion on the base material body 2. With these configurations, it is possible to appropriately increase the corrosion resistance of the decorative component 1 caused by moisture.

[0059] By forming the DLC coating layer 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a coating layer having high density, hardness, and high wear resistance is formed on the surface of the decorative member 1, which has a protrusion D that protrudes in a shape dependent on the convex shape of the decorative layer 4 as the decorative layer 4 is laminated. In detail, the DLC coating layer 6 and the metal layer 5 formed thereunder are each formed in a laminated shape with a uniform thickness on the surface of the base material body 2 by the above-mentioned vacuum arc deposition method or sputtering method. Therefore, the DLC coating layer 6 and the metal layer 5 are each formed in a shape that forms a protrusion D that becomes a decorative pattern protruding in accordance with the shape of the decorative layer 4 at a position approximately directly above the decorative layer 4 provided in a laminated shape on the base material body 2.

[0060] The protrusions D formed on the surface of the decorative member 1 are formed in a shape that forms a sharply outlined corner that protrudes depending on the shape of the decorative layer 4 without the coating being piled up on the corners on the base end side around the protrusions. Therefore, a convex pattern with a sharp outline can be formed on the surface of the decorative member 1 without setting the thickness of the decorative layer 4 to a large value. Since the DLC coating layer 6 is made of a ta-C coating, the protrusions D formed on the surface of the decorative member 1 can be finished into a sharp pattern shape that is highly resistant to wear, weather, corrosion, and scratches, and the shape of the protrusions D can be made less likely to be distorted.

[0061] In the case where the decorative member 1A is of the type shown in FIG. 2 (the type in which the plating layer 3 is provided), the DLC coating layer 6 is preferably formed as a thin-film DLC coating layer 6A having a thickness of about 0.2 μm together with the underlying metal layer 5. As a result, the DLC coating layer 6A is formed, together with the metal layer 5, in a semi-transparent state that allows the underlying decorative layer 4 and plating layer 3 to be transmitted through the surface of the DLC coating layer 6A. With the above configuration, the decorative member 1A can be provided with a high protective function due to the DLC coating layer 6A, and can have a highly designed configuration that allows the colors of the underlying decorative layer 4 and plating layer 3 to be transmitted through the surface of the DLC coating layer 6A.

[0062] In addition, when the decorative member 1 is the decorative member 1B of the type shown in FIG. 3 (a type without a plating layer), the DLC coating layer 6 is preferably formed as a thick DLC coating layer 6B having a thickness of about 2.5 μm on the surface of the metal layer 5. As a result, the DLC coating layer 6B is formed as an opaque thick coating with a black-blue color. With the above configuration, the decorative member 1B can be provided with a highly designable configuration in which a convex shape dependent on the convex shape of the decorative layer 4 below it can be formed as a convex portion D on the member surface while providing a high protective function due to the DLC coating layer 6B.

[0063] Other embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the decorative member of the present invention can be applied to faucet pipes used in indoor and outdoor wet environments, as well as to other things besides faucet pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Decorative materials 1A Decoration materials 1B Decoration materials 2 Base material body 3. Plating layer 3A Nickel plating layer 3B chrome plating layer 4 Decorative layer 5 metal layer 6 DLC coating layer 6A DLC coating layer 6B DLC coating layer S1 Pre-process S2 Lead removal process S3 Plating process S4 Mirror finish processing process S5 Printing process S6 Cleaning process S7 Metal layer deposition process S8 DLC coating layer deposition process D Convex part

Claims

1. It is a copper alloy decorative material, The present invention includes at least a copper alloy base material body, a resin decorative layer, a metal layer, and a DLC coating layer made of a ta-C coating, the metal layer is disposed between the DLC coating layer and the base body; A decorative member, wherein the decorative layer is disposed between the metal layer and the base material body.

2. The decorative layer has a heat resistance of 150° C. or higher and a linear expansion coefficient of 0.1 to 0.6×10 -4 The decorative member according to claim 1 , which is made of a resin having a temperature of 300° C. or higher.

3. The decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the DLC coating layer contains 50 to 90% of an SP-3 structure and has a thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 µm.

4. The decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plating layer comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and chromium, disposed between the base material body and the decorative layer.

5. The decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the decorative layer is formed by at least one printing method selected from the group consisting of pad printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, water transfer printing, and offset printing.

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