Ceramic Color Composition for Stable Pearlescent Pigments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceramic glazes face challenges in maintaining the stability and effectiveness of pearlescent pigments at high temperatures due to their susceptibility to damage in oxidic melts and high-temperature firing processes, leading to a significant loss in tinting strength and pearlescent effect.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic color composition comprising flake-form substrates with a refractive index greater than 1.5, such as synthetic or natural mica flakes, and a liquid glass forming component, which allows for optimal orientation of effect pigments during firing, eliminating the need for protective coatings and high-temperature alkali content, thereby enhancing the pearlescent effect and tinting strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pearlescent pigments are used in traditional ceramic frit-based glazes, then the glaze can be fired at high temperatures, but the pigments suffer damage from oxidic melt and high temperatures leading to loss of tinting strength and pearlescent effect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass frit, specifically reducing alkali metal oxide content to below 5 wt% and adjusting the ratio of network formers and modifiers, thereby creating a less aggressive melt environment that preserves pigment stability at high firing temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite ceramic color composition combining effect pigments with a specially formulated glass frit matrix, where the frit composition is optimized to protect the pigment while maintaining high-temperature processing capability, resulting in a material that achieves both thermal stability and pigment preservation
2Reliability
If encapsulation of pigments in protective layers is applied, then pigment stability is improved, but production complexity increases due to additional process steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the protective function with the glass frit matrix itself, where the modified frit composition provides inherent protection to the pigments during firing, eliminating the need for separate encapsulation layers and reducing production complexity while maintaining pigment stability
3Shape
If high alkali concentration of frit is used to ensure smooth layer formation, then film formation is improved, but the effect pigment tends to decompose under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by reducing alkali metal oxide content below 5 wt% and adjusting the balance between network formers (SiO2, B2O3) and modifiers, achieving smooth film formation through optimized viscosity control rather than high alkali content, thereby preserving pigment stability
4Strength
If sufficiently high firing temperature is applied to ensure abrasion-resistant coatings, then coating durability is improved, but the aggressive conditions damage the pigments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite system where the modified glass frit matrix provides both the high-temperature processing capability needed for abrasion resistance and a chemically less aggressive environment that preserves pigment integrity, achieving both durability and color stability simultaneously
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 proposed solution achieves a stable and reproducible pearlescent effect with improved chroma and gloss in ceramic glazes, even at high temperatures, by ensuring the optimal orientation of effect pigments and forming a smooth, mechanically stable glassy matrix without the drawbacks of traditional frit-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
The firing temperature is oriented towards the softening or melting temperature of the respective glass frit. The glass particles being present at the beginning soften then and form a continuous matrix and a smooth surface.
Implementation Method 2
at least one effect pigment based on flake-form substrates with a refractive index R.I. >1.5... ensures the optimal orientation of effect pigments... enhancing the pearlescent effect and tinting strength
Data Source
AI summary
Ceramic colours containing effect pigments and a liquid glass forming component for decoration of metallic, ceramic and glassy articles and a process for the preparation of a ceramic glaze.