Chromium(III) Phosphate Coating for Grain-Oriented Steel

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of chromium(VI) in phosphate layers for grain-oriented electrical steel is hazardous and difficult to replace without compromising the material's properties, leading to issues with chemical resistance, tensile stress, and optical quality.

Innovation Solution

A chromium(VI)-free phosphate solution is developed using chromium(III) compounds, colloid stabilizers, and pickling inhibitors to maintain the material's properties, with chromium(III) nitrate being particularly effective in transferring tensile stress and improving optical quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chromium(VI) is used in the phosphate solution, then corrosion resistance and chemical resistance are improved, but toxicity and environmental hazard increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the oxidation state parameter of chromium from +6 to +3, transforming chromium(VI) compounds into chromium(III) compounds. This parameter change maintains the protective function of the phosphate layer while dramatically reducing toxicity and environmental hazard, as chromium(III) is significantly less toxic than chromium(VI)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the hazardous chromium(VI) with chromium(III) compounds, using a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative that achieves the same protective function without the severe health and environmental risks associated with chromium(VI)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chromium(VI) is omitted from the phosphate solution, then toxicity is reduced, but chemical resistance and tensile stress transfer deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidchemical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the oxidation state parameter of chromium from +6 to +3, transforming chromium(VI) compounds into chromium(III) compounds. This parameter change maintains the protective function of the phosphate layer while dramatically reducing toxicity and environmental hazard, as chromium(III) is significantly less toxic than chromium(VI)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite phosphate solution system containing chromium(III) compounds combined with colloidal oxide compounds (such as silica sol) and organic additives. This composite formulation achieves both chemical resistance and tensile stress transfer properties while maintaining low toxicity, overcoming the limitations of simple chromium-free formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If chromium-free phosphate solution is used without additives, then environmental safety is improved, but optical quality and layer homogeneity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidoptical quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite phosphate solution system containing chromium(III) compounds combined with colloidal oxide compounds (such as silica sol) and organic additives. This composite formulation achieves both chemical resistance and tensile stress transfer properties while maintaining low toxicity, overcoming the limitations of simple chromium-free formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces colloidal oxide compounds and organic additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the chromium-free phosphate solution and the steel surface. These intermediaries ensure proper layer formation, homogeneity, and optical quality without requiring toxic chromium(VI), facilitating successful coating even in the absence of traditional harmful chemicals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution achieves improved optical properties and higher tensile stress compared to chromium-free alternatives, while being safer and more environmentally friendly, effectively replacing chromium(VI) without significant drawbacks.

Implementation Method 1

the omission of chromium(VI) results in a significant chemical reaction between the phosphate solution and the metal, a pickling reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPickling reaction: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

prevent iron from dissolving in the solution state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical inhibition: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

phosphoric acid released when baking the phosphate solution bind to chromium phosphate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2652172B1Method for producing a grain-oriented electric strip
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 THYSSENKRUPP ELECTRICAL STEEL GMBH
  • EP2652172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2652172B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2652172B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a grain-oriented electric strip coated with a phosphate layer, in that a phosphate solution comprising a colloid component and at least one colloid stabilizer (A), and/or at least one etching inhibitor (B) is applied to the electric strip, wherein the phosphate solution comprises at least one compound comprising chromium at the oxidation level III (Chromium (III) compounds). Grain-oriented electric strips produced by means of the method according to the invention are characterized by excellent optical properties and high tensile stress.