Amorphous Metallic Foam Coating for Brittle Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for coating parts, such as electrodeposition and using metal sheets, face limitations in impact resistance and are not suitable for brittle materials like silicon, leading to aesthetic and performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of amorphous metallic foam, where a first part is coated with a second part made of amorphous metallic foam, allowing for a simple and safe coating process without material limitations, using techniques like gas injection, chemical agents, or layer deposition to create the foam, which can be shaped and expanded to fit a mold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electrodeposition is used to deposit a coating layer, then the coating process is simple and controllable, but the coating thickness is limited and impact resistance is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating process simplicityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines a fragile first part (such as silicon) with a second part made of amorphous metallic foam that has high impact resistance. This composite structure allows the fragile component to benefit from the protective properties of the foam material, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simplicity in manufacturing and achieving high impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and mechanical parameters of the coating by using amorphous metallic foam instead of traditional thin electrodeposited layers. The foam structure provides high porosity and energy absorption capabilities, transforming the coating from a thin, fragile layer to a thick, impact-resistant structure while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a metal sheet is attached to the part as a support, then impact resistance is improved, but the method is not suitable for fragile materials such as silicon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsuitability for fragile materials
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses amorphous metallic foam, a porous material, as the second part attached to the fragile first part. The porous structure of the foam provides high impact resistance through energy absorption while being gentler on fragile materials compared to solid metal sheets. This resolves the contradiction by providing a support structure that is both strong and compatible with fragile materials like silicon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If amorphous metallic foam is used as coating material, then impact resistance and mechanical properties are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs preliminary action by first forming the amorphous metallic foam structure and then attaching it to the fragile part. The foam is prepared in advance with the desired porosity and mechanical properties, and then integrated with the first part through controlled attachment processes. This staged approach manages manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired impact resistance and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method provides a robust and aesthetically pleasing coating with improved mechanical properties, suitable for various materials, including brittle ones, by creating a composite part with enhanced resistance and favorable mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

One method involves taking an alloy and heating it until it reaches a liquid state. At this point, gas bubbles are injected into the liquid alloy. This gas bubble injection occurs before a rapid cooling step.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas injection:

Implementation Method 2

A second method for creating such a foam involves using an alloy and heating it until it reaches a liquid state. At this point, chemical agents are injected into the liquid alloy. These agents are gas-releasing agents, meaning that under certain conditions, they release gases.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas release from chemical agents:

Implementation Method 3

This gas bubble injection occurs before a rapid cooling step. This rapid cooling step is carried out to solidify the alloy while trapping the gas bubbles.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRapid cooling:

Data Source

PatentEP3120954B1Method for coating a part
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
  • EP3120954B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3120954B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) comprising a first part (11) made of a first material and a second part (12) made of a second material, the second part extends from one of the faces of the first part and is made of an amorphous material.