Colored Hard-Anodized Cookware Surface for Flame and Detergent Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking vessels with anodized surfaces lack durability, resistance to detergents, and compatibility with PTFE coatings, and do not effectively withstand flames.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hard anodization of the outer surface, followed by a sol-gel coating with integrated coloring, and a PTFE coating on the inner surface, which traps pigments and dyes within the anodized layer and sol-gel coating, enhancing durability and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a PTFE coating is applied to improve non-stick properties, then the coating provides excellent non-stick performance, but the mechanical resistance and wear resistance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the coating system into distinct functional layers: a hard anodized aluminum substrate providing mechanical strength and scratch resistance, and a PTFE coating layer providing non-stick performance. By separating these functions into different layers rather than attempting to combine them in a single coating, the invention achieves both excellent non-stick properties and high mechanical resistance.
2Reliability
If the outer surface and inner surface are both anodized, then the overall durability is improved, but the treatment time and consumption of current and acid increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by treating different surfaces of the cooking vessel differently according to their specific functional requirements. The outer surface receives hard anodization followed by sol-gel coloring to achieve durability and aesthetic appearance, while the inner surface receives PTFE coating to achieve non-stick performance. This localized treatment approach optimizes each surface for its specific function while avoiding unnecessary treatment elsewhere, thereby reducing overall treatment time and resource consumption.
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 method results in a cooking vessel with durable, flame-resistant, and dishwasher-safe outer surfaces that are compatible with PTFE coatings, offering a broader range of color options and improved mechanical resistance.
Implementation Method 1
A durable coloring is thus obtainable. According to one embodiment, the coloring step or one of the coloring steps employs a coloring bath comprising inorganic pigments and/or organic pigments and/or organic dyes. A trapping of the pigments and/or dyes in the hard anodized layer is thus achievable owing to the porosity of said hard anodized layer.
Implementation Method 2
providing a sol-gel coating on the anodized outer surface, wherein at least one coloring step is carried out following the hard anodization, the coloring step or steps being carried out before and/or during the sol-gel coating step.
Implementation Method 3
Document EP 0 424 072 and document EP 0 902 105 propose the production of cooking vessels having a non-stick coating such as PTFE on a hard anodized aluminum substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for obtaining a cooking vessel that includes the following steps: producing a bowl having an aluminum outer surface and an inner surface; performing hard anodization of at least the outer surface of the bowl; and providing a sol-gel coating on the anodized outer surface. At least one coloring step is carried out following the hard anodization, the coloring step(s) being carried out before and/or during the sol-gel coating step. Also provided is a kitchen item or an electrical cooking appliance that includes a cooking vessel obtained by the above method.