Crystallized Glass Compressive Stress Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crystallized glass materials used in harsh environments, such as smartphone covers and vehicle windshields, lack sufficient surface hardness and compressive stress values, making them prone to cracking and inadequate for demanding applications.

Innovation Solution

A crystallized glass article with a compressive stress layer, comprising α-cristobalite and α-cristobalite solid solution as the main crystal phase, with specific oxide component ratios and a surface compressive stress value of 600 MPa or more, achieved through chemical strengthening, heat treatment, or ion implantation methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If chemical strengthening is applied to conventional crystallized glass, then compressive stress is introduced to suppress crack growth, but the surface hardness and mechanical strength remain insufficient for harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidsurface hardness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the chemical composition ratios (SiO2: 50-75%, Li2O: 3-10%, Al2O3: 5-15%, with Al2O3+ZrO2 total: 10-20%) and controlling heat treatment parameters (temperature: 600-800°C, time: 1-10 hours) to achieve both high compressive stress (≥600 MPa) and high surface hardness, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a crystallized glass with multiple crystal phases (α-cristobalite and α-cristobalite solid solution) combined with specific glass matrix composition, which provides both the compressive stress needed for crack suppression and the surface hardness required for harsh environment durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional crystallized glass is used in harsh environments, then it provides basic protection, but it lacks sufficient surface hardness and is prone to cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability in harsh environmentVSAvoidsurface hardness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters within specific ranges (SiO2: 50-75%, Li2O: 3-10%, Al2O3: 5-15%, ZrO2: 0-10%, with Al2O3+ZrO2 total: 10-20%) to optimize both surface hardness and environmental durability simultaneously, eliminating the need to trade off between these properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If compressive stress layer is formed through ion implantation, then surface hardness is improved, but the process complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface hardnessVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides alternative parameter changes through chemical strengthening or heat treatment methods that achieve the same surface hardness improvement without ion implantation complexity, allowing manufacturers to choose simpler processes while meeting performance requirements

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

The resulting inorganic composition article exhibits enhanced mechanical strength and surface hardness, effectively suppressing crack growth and improving durability for use in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

When an alkaline component existing in a surface layer of glass is subject to exchange reaction with an alkaline component with a larger ionic radius to form a compressive stress layer on the surface, it is possible to suppress the growth of cracks and increase the mechanical strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressive stress: Compression

Implementation Method 2

When an alkaline component existing in a surface layer of glass is subject to exchange reaction with an alkaline component with a larger ionic radius

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP3936484B1Crystallized glass article
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 OHARA INC

AI summary

To provide an inorganic composition article containing at least one kind selected from α-cristobalite and α-cristobalite solid solution as a main crystal phase, in which by mass% in terms of oxide, a content of a SiO2 component is 50.0% to 75.0%, a content of a Li2O component is 3.0% to 10.0%, a content of an Al2O3 component is 5.0% or more and less than 15.0%, and a total content of the Al2O3 component and a ZrO2 component is 10.0% or more, and a surface compressive stress value is 600 MPa or more.