3D Metal Effect Pigments Cube Pyramid Tetrahedron

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal effect pigments lack improved three-dimensional shapes and production methods that allow for enhanced metal pigment effects in applications such as painting and injection molding, leading to suboptimal performance in achieving desired appearances and properties.

Innovation Solution

A composition and method for producing metal effect pigments with specific three-dimensional shapes like cubes, pyramids with triangular outer surfaces, and tetrahedrons, where the edges are between 20 µm to less than 200 µm in length, using processes like cold forming, solid forming, casting, and machining, and applying metal or polymer materials with surface coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional metal effect pigments with traditional shapes are used, then the production process is simple, but the metal pigment effect appearance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal pigment effect appearanceVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of metal effect pigments from conventional shapes to specific three-dimensional shapes (cubes, pyramids, tetrahedrons) with controlled edge lengths of 20-200 μm. This parameter change creates enhanced light interaction and improved metal pigment effect appearance while maintaining manufacturability through established processes like cold forming, solid forming, casting, and machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite material structures by combining metal effect pigments with base materials in specific compositions. The metal effect pigments are provided with surface coatings and integrated into base materials through controlled composition ratios, creating a composite system that enhances the overall metal pigment effect while allowing optimization of individual component properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If metal effect pigments with minimized volume are produced, then the material usage is efficient, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepigment volumeVSAvoidshape control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the metal effect pigment production into distinct geometric forms (cubes, pyramids, tetrahedrons) with standardized edge length parameters of 20-200 μm. This segmentation allows for controlled volume minimization while maintaining manufacturability through specialized processes. Each geometric form is produced with precision control over its defining parameters, balancing volume efficiency with manufacturing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical pigment production methods with advanced manufacturing techniques including cold forming, solid forming, casting, and machining processes. These substituted mechanical systems enable precise control over the three-dimensional shapes and volumes of metal effect pigments, achieving minimized volumes while maintaining manufacturing precision through process optimization rather than relying solely on traditional mechanical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3783069B1Composition containing 3d-shaped metal effect pigments, and method for producing said pigments
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 TECH UNIV BERLIN
  • EP3783069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3783069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3783069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a composition containing a base material and metal effect pigments (1) contained in the base material, wherein the metal effect pigments (1) are provided with a three dimensional shape selected from the following group: cube, pyramid having triangular outer surfaces, and tetrahedron. Furthermore, metal effect pigments (1) and a method for producing metal effect pigments (1) are provided.