Aluminum Nitride Powder Water Resistance via Silane Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aluminum nitride powders used in thermal conductive elements suffer from reduced water resistance and insulating properties in high-temperature, high-humidity environments due to reaction with water, leading to aggregation issues and loss of water resistance when surface-treated at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An aluminum nitride powder is subjected to a surface treatment with an organic compound represented by a specific formula, enhancing its water resistance through chemical bonding, which is then incorporated into a resin composition and molded into a thermal conductive article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If aluminum nitride powder is used in thermal conductive elements, then thermal conductivity is improved, but water resistance deteriorates in high-temperature high-humidity environments due to reaction with water forming aluminum hydroxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating aluminum nitride powder particles with a silane-based organic compound that forms a protective layer. This composite structure maintains the high thermal conductivity of aluminum nitride while the silane coating layer provides water resistance, preventing reaction with moisture in high-temperature environments. The coating creates a barrier that preserves both thermal performance and water resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of aluminum nitride powder by applying a silane-based organic compound coating. This surface modification alters the chemical and physical properties of the particle surface, providing water resistance while maintaining the bulk thermal conductivity properties. The coating thickness and composition are controlled to optimize both water resistance and thermal conductivity.
2Reliability
If aluminum nitride powder is surface-treated at high temperature to improve water resistance, then water resistance is improved, but particles aggregate to produce large lumps and aluminum nitride appears on the surface losing water resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the treatment temperature parameter from conventional high temperature to a lower temperature range (50-200°C) when applying the silane-based organic compound coating. This temperature optimization prevents particle aggregation and lump formation while still enabling effective surface treatment and water resistance improvement. The controlled temperature parameter maintains particle dispersion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane-based organic compound acts as an intermediary substance that bonds to the aluminum nitride particle surface without requiring high-temperature treatment. This intermediary coating provides water resistance while preventing direct particle-to-particle contact that would cause aggregation. The intermediary layer maintains particle separation and prevents lump formation.
3Reliability
If aluminum nitride powder is surface-treated with conventional methods, then water resistance is improved, but insulating property deteriorates due to ion migration from ammonium ion production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reaction between aluminum nitride and water into a beneficial outcome by applying a silane-based organic compound coating that prevents direct contact between water and aluminum nitride. The coating layer transforms the potentially harmful moisture environment into a non-reactive condition, maintaining both water resistance and insulating properties by eliminating ammonium ion production.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane-based organic compound coating serves as an intermediary barrier between water and aluminum nitride particles. This intermediary layer prevents water molecules from reaching the aluminum nitride surface, thereby preventing the chemical reaction that produces ammonium ions. The intermediary coating preserves electrical insulating properties while providing water resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The treated aluminum nitride powder and resulting thermal conductive article exhibit improved water resistance and thermal conductivity, maintaining electrical insulation and preventing conversion to aluminum hydroxide, suitable for use in electronic devices and heat dissipation applications.
Implementation Method 1
The aluminum nitride powder described above can be excellent in the water resistance by virtue of chemical bonding of the organic compound represented by the formula (1) to aluminum nitride.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides, as an aluminum nitride powder excellent in the water resistance, an aluminum nitride powder subjected to a surface treatment with a predetermined organic compound. The present invention also provides a resin composition including the aluminum nitride powder and a resin, and a thermal conductive molded article obtained by molding the resin composition.