Diamond-like Carbon Coatings for Durability and Oleophobicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces are not reliable or effective in commercial settings, lacking in durability and corrosion resistance, and do not adequately enhance surface hydrophobicity and oleophobicity.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophobic surface is created by combining a surface texture with a coating of amorphous diamond-like carbon doped with 10 to 35 atomic percent of Si, O, or F, or a combination thereof, or a low surface energy material such as fluoropolymer, silicone, or ceramic, applied to a substrate with micro or micro-nano textures, which significantly increases hydrophobicity and oleophobicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional coatings are used to create hydrophobic surfaces, then the surface can repel water, but the coating lacks durability and corrosion resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability and corrosion resistanceVSAvoidhydrophobicity and oleophobicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating with low surface energy materials such as fluoropolymers, silicones, or ceramics. The DLC provides durability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength, while the low surface energy material layer provides enhanced hydrophobicity and oleophobicity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the benefits of both material types into a single multi-functional coating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer coating structure where different materials are positioned at different depths or regions of the coating. The DLC layer serves as a durable substrate, while the low surface energy material is applied as a top layer or surface treatment to provide specific hydrophobic/oleophobic properties. This spatial differentiation of material functions allows each layer to optimize its specific role, resolving the contradiction between durability and surface functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If surface texture is added to enhance hydrophobicity, then contact angle increases, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrophobicity and oleophobicityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface energy characteristics of the coating material rather than relying solely on complex surface texturing. By adjusting the chemical composition and surface energy of the DLC coating and applying low surface energy materials, the patent achieves enhanced hydrophobicity through material property modification. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating precise micro-nano textures, while still achieving superior hydrophobic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If amorphous diamond-like carbon coating is applied to improve abrasion resistance, then surface hardness increases, but the coating may not provide sufficient hydrophobicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidhydrophobicity and oleophobicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides a hydrophobic surface with enhanced abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and increased hydrophobicity and oleophobicity, with contact angles exceeding 90 degrees, and maintains chemical and mechanical properties under harsh conditions, outperforming traditional coatings.

Implementation Method 1

a coating comprising an amorphous diamond like carbon doped with 10 to 35 atomic percent of Si, O, F, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

significantly increases hydrophobicity and oleophobicity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOleophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

wherein the surface texture comprises a micro texture, a micro-nano texture, or a combination of a micro texture and a micro-nano texture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS9809712B2Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A hydrophobic surface comprises a surface texture and a coating disposed on the surface texture, wherein the coating comprises an amorphous diamond like carbon material doped with 10 to 35 atomic percent of Si, O, F, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, or a low surface energy material selected from fluoropolymer, silicone, ceramic, fluoropolymer composite, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and wherein the surface texture comprises a micro texture, a micro-nano texture, or a combination of a micro texture and a micro-nano texture.