Aluminum-Silicon Nitride Glazing Stack for Wash Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing materials with metallic functional layers for infrared and solar radiation reflection suffer from poor mechanical resistance during washing and heat treatments, leading to potential degradation and reduced optical properties.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a dielectric layer of aluminum and silicon nitride with a specific atomic ratio between 91.0% and 55.0% in the anti-reflective coatings, which enhances mechanical resistance and maintains optical properties during washing and heat treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a metallic functional layer is used for infrared and solar radiation reflection, then optical properties are improved, but mechanical resistance during washing and heat treatment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical propertiesVSAvoidmechanical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite multilayer structure combining metallic functional layers (silver or silver-containing alloys) with dielectric layers (silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide) and organic blocking coatings. This composite architecture provides both the optical reflection properties from the metallic layer and the mechanical protection from the dielectric and organic layers, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and mechanical resistance during washing and heat treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dielectric layers and organic blocking coatings as intermediary protective layers between the metallic functional layer and the washing environment. These intermediary layers act as barriers that protect the metallic layer from mechanical damage during washing while allowing the optical properties to be maintained, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical resistance and optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the thickness of blocking coating protecting metallic functional layer is increased, then mechanical resistance is improved, but light transmission deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidlight transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of blocking coatings and dielectric layers to achieve a balance between mechanical resistance and light transmission. By carefully controlling the thickness of each layer (e.g., dielectric layers of 5-50 nm, organic blocking coatings of 1-10 nm), the patent maintains adequate mechanical protection while minimizing the impact on light transmission and optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different materials with different properties at different locations in the stack. Dielectric layers with high mechanical strength are positioned where mechanical protection is most needed, while thinner blocking coatings are used where light transmission is critical. This local differentiation of material properties and layer thicknesses resolves the contradiction between mechanical resistance and light transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 dielectric layer of aluminum and silicon nitride provides improved mechanical resistance, allowing the material to withstand washing and heat treatments without degradation, while maintaining low sheet resistance and high light transmission.

Implementation Method 1

it is less expensive to deposit, by continuous reactive sputtering, a dielectric layer of nitride based on aluminum and silicon AlxSiyNz than a dielectric layer of aluminum nitride AIN because the deposition rate, in nanometers for the same rate of advance of the substrate, is higher for the aluminum and silicon-based nitride AlxSiyNz which has an atomic ratio of aluminum relative to the total aluminum and silicon of between 91.0% and 55.0%, or even between 90.0% and 60.0%, makes it possible to provide a dielectric layer of nitride that has low internal stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInternal stress reduction:

Implementation Method 2

it is less expensive to deposit, by continuous reactive sputtering, a dielectric layer of nitride based on aluminum and silicon AlxSiyNz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS20250334728A1Material comprising a functional multilayer stack with a dielectric layer of aluminum and silicon-based nitride and glazing comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a material comprising a substrate (30) coated on one face (29) with a stack of thin layers (14′) with reflective properties in the infrared and/or in solar radiation comprising n metallic functional layers (140, 180), n being an integer ≥2 and n+1 anti-reflective coatings (120, 160, 200), wherein at least one anti-reflective coating located further from said face (29) than a functional layer comprises a dielectric layer of nitride based on aluminum and silicon AlxSiyNz (165, 205) that has an atomic ratio of aluminum relative to the total aluminum and silicon of between 91.0% and 55.0%.