Colored Metallic Pigment with Amorphous Silicon Oxide Interference Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing colored metallic pigments face challenges in maintaining light resistance, weather resistance, and hiding power while achieving excellent aesthetic effects, with previous methods either limiting color variety or compromising on finish quality.
Innovation Solution
A colored metallic pigment is developed with an amorphous silicon oxide film layer, a metal layer, and metallic particles on its surface, where the metallic particles partially cover the metal layer, using elements like Sn, Pd, Pt, Au for the metal layer and Cu, Ni, Ag for the particles, along with an underlayer and corrosion inhibiting layer to enhance adhesion and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a colored pigment is bonded to the surface of a metallic pigment, then the Aesthetic effect is improved, but the colored pigment is easily photo-deteriorated due to optical reflection on the metallic pigment surface
Solution Approach 1:
An interference film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the metallic pigment and the colored pigment. This film mediates the optical interaction by creating constructive and destructive interference patterns that enhance color saturation while reducing direct optical reflection on the metallic surface, thereby protecting the colored pigment from photo-deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure consisting of metallic pigment, interference film, and colored pigment in specific arrangements. This composite material combines the metallic luster of the metallic pigment with the saturated colors of the colored pigment, while the interference film provides protective optical filtering
2Manufacturing precision
If a pearly pigment is used, then interference colors are achieved, but the hiding power is insufficient to cover the underlayer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using different material arrangements in different regions of the pigment structure. The interference film is selectively positioned to create interference colors in specific optical paths, while other regions maintain high opacity characteristics to ensure sufficient hiding power for covering the underlayer
3Quantity of substance
If titanium oxide is deposited on the metallic pigment surface by sol-gel process, then the hiding power is improved, but no metallic pigment with high chroma can be obtained and the titanium oxide may form highly active anatase phase reducing weather resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of the oxide layer by controlling its thickness, composition, and crystalline structure. By adjusting these parameters, the oxide layer provides sufficient hiding power while maintaining the high chroma of the underlying colored pigment and avoiding formation of highly active anatase phase that would reduce weather resistance
4Quantity of substance
If vapor phase process is used to form composite phase on metallic pigment surface, then high hiding power is achieved, but the process requires specific apparatus, is dangerous due to dust explosion risk, and the precursor is toxic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical vapor phase deposition process with a chemical solution-based approach. This substitution eliminates the need for fluidization and high-temperature processing, thereby removing the dust explosion hazard and reducing the toxicity concerns associated with vapor phase precursors, while still achieving high hiding power through controlled formation of composite phase
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 configuration allows for a wide range of colors and interference colors while maintaining excellent light and weather resistance, providing a coating film with superior finish and hiding power.
Implementation Method 1
a pigment supplied with interference colors by forming a film of silicon oxide, titanium oxide or metal on the surface
Implementation Method 2
the metallic particles are so provided as to directly cover part of the metal layer
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention provides a colored metallic pigment, which can develop a variety of colors and varied interference colors while maintaining good lightfastness, weatherfastness and hiding power, a process for producing the same, a coating composition containing the colored metallic pigment and capable of providing a coating film having excellent finished appearance, and a cosmetic preparation containing the colored metallic pigment, having excellent hiding power, and capable of providing sharp hue. The colored metallic pigment comprises at least a metallic pigment, an amorphous silicon oxide film layer provided on the surface of the metallic pigment, a metal layer provided on the surface of the amorphous silicon oxide film layer, and metallic particles provided on the surface of the metal layer. The metallic particles are provided so as to directly cover a part of the surface of the metal layer. In the colored metallic pigment, the metal layer preferably comprises at least one metal selected from Sn, Pd, Pt and Au. The metallic particle preferably comprises at least one metal selected from Cu, Ni and Ag.