3D Crystallized Glass Production via Preliminary Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing three-dimensionally shaped crystallized glass face challenges in achieving both high transparency and excellent chemical strengthening properties, particularly due to issues with deformation and dimensional changes during heat treatment, and the difficulty in bend-forming crystallized glass.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensionally shaped crystallized glass is produced using a specific glass composition, including 45-74% SiO2, 1-30% Al2O3, 1-25% Li2O, and other oxides, which is heated and crystallized before being bend-formed under heating, followed by chemical strengthening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If an amorphous glass is bend-formed and then crystallized, then a three-dimensional shape is achieved, but deformation and dimensional changes occur during heat treatment making it difficult to obtain the desired shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional shapeVSAvoidshape accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The glass is crystallized before bend-forming, so the crystallization process occurs while the glass is still in its amorphous state. This preliminary crystallization prevents dimensional changes during subsequent heat treatment, as the crystal structure is already established and stable, eliminating the deformation problems that would occur if crystallization happened after forming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If an amorphous glass is crystallized and then processed into a three-dimensional shape by grinding, then the desired shape is achieved, but the grinding processing takes a long time reducing production efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional shapeVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The glass is crystallized before bend-forming, allowing the subsequent shaping to be done through efficient thermal bending rather than time-consuming grinding operations. The crystallized glass can be bend-formed using standard thermal processing equipment, dramatically reducing production time compared to mechanical grinding methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If an amorphous glass is crystallized and then bend-formed, then production efficiency is improved, but the crystallized glass has a higher softening temperature making bend-forming difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidsoftening temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The glass is crystallized before bend-forming at a temperature below the softening point of the crystallized glass. The crystallization process creates a material with sufficient thermal stability that allows bend-forming to be performed at moderate temperatures without requiring excessive heat, thus maintaining production efficiency while avoiding the high softening temperature problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Shape

If a transparent crystallized glass is heated at a high temperature to bend-form the glass, then the three-dimensional shape is achieved, but crystals in the crystallized glass grow excessively reducing transparency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional shapeVSAvoidtransparency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The glass is crystallized before bend-forming, establishing a stable crystal structure that resists excessive crystal growth during subsequent heating. The preliminary crystallization creates a material where the crystal nuclei are already formed and distributed, preventing runaway crystal growth at bend-forming temperatures and maintaining transparency while enabling successful shaping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables the production of three-dimensionally shaped chemically strengthened glass that is scratch-resistant and has excellent transparency, while also improving production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a method in which an amorphous glass is heated and then subjected to bend-forming (sometimes referred to as three-dimensional forming) using forming molds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

The present invention also relates to a three-dimensionally shaped chemically strengthened glass and a production method thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical strengthening: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS20250178950A1Crystallized glass of three-dimensional shape, chemically strengthened glass of three-dimensional shape, and method for producing crystallized glass of three-dimensional shape and chemically strengthened glass of three-dimensional shape
Publication Date: 2025.06.05 AGC INC
  • US20250178950A1 patent drawing
  • US20250178950A1 patent drawing
  • US20250178950A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A three-dimensionally shaped crystallized glass, including: a petalite crystal; and a lithium disilicate crystal, where the three-dimensionally shaped crystallized glass has an average transmittance of a light at a wavelength in a range of 380 nm to 780 nm of at least 80% in terms of a thickness of 0.8 mm, and the three-dimensionally shaped crystallized glass comprises, in mass % on an oxide basis: from 60 to 75% of SiO2; from 5 to 15% of Al2O3; from 4 to 20% of Li2O; from 0 to 4% of Na2O; from 0 to 3% of K2O; from 3 to 15% in total of at least one of SnO2 and ZrO2; and from 0.5 to 5% of P2O5.