Chromium-Free Phosphate Coating for Grain-Oriented Steel

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of hexavalent chromium in phosphate solutions for grain-oriented electrical steel coatings is toxic and environmentally harmful, posing challenges for large-scale industrial applications and requiring costly safety measures, while attempts to omit it have been limited to laboratory scales.

Innovation Solution

A chromium-free phosphate solution is applied to grain-oriented electrical steel, containing a colloidal component and phosphoric acid esters as colloid stabilizers, which ensures homogeneous application and stable sol/gel transition during drying, reducing the need for hexavalent chromium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If hexavalent chromium is added to phosphate solution, then homogeneous application and stable sol/gel transition are achieved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneous applicationVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes hexavalent chromium from the phosphate solution formulation while maintaining the desired coating homogeneity and sol/gel transition stability through alternative chemical compositions, thereby eliminating the toxic component while preserving functional performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces alternative chemical compounds as intermediaries to replace hexavalent chromium's functional role in stabilizing the sol/gel transition and ensuring homogeneous application, using substances that provide similar technical effects without the associated toxicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If hexavalent chromium is used in phosphate solution, then stable industrial application is achieved, but costly safety measures and environmental protection requirements are imposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable industrial applicationVSAvoidsafety measures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates hexavalent chromium from the phosphate solution, thereby removing the need for associated safety infrastructure and environmental protection systems while maintaining reliable industrial application through alternative chemical formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hexavalent chromium is omitted from phosphate solution, then toxicity is reduced, but homogeneous application and stable sol/gel transition cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidhomogeneous application
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs alternative chemical compounds as intermediaries that perform the same technical function as hexavalent chromium in stabilizing sol/gel transition and ensuring homogeneous application, without introducing toxicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the phosphate solution, adjusting concentrations and types of chemicals to achieve homogeneous application and stable sol/gel transition while maintaining chromium-free formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for the production of a homogeneous phosphate layer on grain-oriented electrical steel without hexavalent chromium, enhancing industrial scalability and safety while maintaining effective tensile stress and magnetic properties.

Implementation Method 1

The sol/gel transition takes place after the phosphate solution has been applied to the belt surface, i.e. during the drying process

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effectsol/gel transition: Gel

Data Source

PatentEP2252722B1Method for producing a grain-oriented magnetic strip
Publication Date: 2012.04.04 THYSSENKRUPP ELECTRICAL STEEL GMBH
  • EP2252722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2252722B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2252722B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a magnetic strip that is covered with a phosphate layer. According to said method, a phosphate solution is applied to the magnetic strip, said solution containing a colloid component and at least one colloid stabiliser (A) as an additive.