CVD Susceptor Insert Coating for Process Simplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing coating processes for CVD reactor components, such as susceptors, are complex and require multiple steps due to materials with different thermal expansion coefficients and the need for precise handling, which complicates the coating process.

Innovation Solution

A method where an insert made of the same material as the coating is inserted into recesses of the base body, allowing for a single coating process that covers the entire surface, including the edges of the insert, without the need for additional reclamping, using materials like graphite or molybdenum as the base and silicon carbide or other carbides as the coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple coating steps are used to coat different materials, then coating precision is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating precisionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component is divided into a base body and separate inserts made of different materials. Each insert is pre-coated with its specific coating material, and then inserted into the base body. This segmentation allows different materials to be coated separately with high precision, then assembled into the final multi-material component, avoiding the complexity of coating multiple materials in a single complex process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inserts are pre-coated with their respective coating materials before being inserted into the base body. This preliminary coating action allows each insert to receive its specific coating treatment independently, ensuring high coating precision while simplifying the overall process by eliminating the need for complex multi-step coating operations on the assembled component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If inserts are used for different materials, then material compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial compatibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component is segmented into a base body and separate inserts, each made of materials optimized for their specific functional requirements. This segmentation enables the use of multiple materials with different properties (e.g., thermal expansion coefficients, mechanical strength) without requiring a complex multi-material construction, as each material is contained in its own discrete insert that can be independently selected and replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The final component is a composite structure consisting of a base body and inserts made of different materials. Each insert is tailored from a specific material that provides the required properties for its location, creating a multi-material composite component that achieves material compatibility and functional optimization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If a single coating step is used, then productivity is improved, but coating precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating efficiencyVSAvoidcoating precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The component is segmented into base body and inserts that are coated separately in different coating steps, then assembled. This allows each part to receive appropriate coating treatment with high precision while maintaining overall process efficiency by parallelizing coating operations on separate components rather than requiring complex multi-step coating of the assembled component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inserts are preliminarily coated with their specific coating materials before assembly. This preliminary coating action enables high-precision coating of each insert independently in simpler, more efficient coating steps, rather than requiring complex multi-step coating operations after assembly, thus maintaining both coating precision and productivity.

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

Simplifies the coating process by allowing a single coating step that covers the entire component, including the insert edges, reducing complexity and improving efficiency at high temperatures under vacuum conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a component, in particular a susceptor of a CVD reactor, having a base body (1) which is made from a first material and is coated with a second material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Vapour Deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2918702B1Coated component of a CVD reactor and method for producing the same
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 AIXTRON AG
  • EP2918702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2918702B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2918702B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for coating a component, and to a component, in particular a susceptor of a CVD reactor, comprising a base body (1) made of a first material and coated with a second material, wherein the first material is different from the second material. To simplify such a coating method, it is proposed that an insert (2) made of the second material be positioned in at least one recess of the base body (1), the insert having a free surface area for contacting a holding tool with which the component is held during coating.