Temperable Enamelled Glass Underlayer Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enamel-coated glass substrates have low mechanical and hydrolytic resistance before fusion, making them difficult to transport, store, cut, edge, or wash without high-temperature tempering, and they suffer from poor adhesion to the glass substrate, leading to delamination and other industrial issues during processing.

Innovation Solution

A glass or glass-ceramic substrate coated with a thin underlayer of organic resin and an enamel layer comprising glass frit and pigments, where the underlayer comprises at least 50% organic resin by weight, improving adhesion and mechanical strength, and can be hardened at temperatures above 600°C without prior high-temperature treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If enamel is deposited on glass substrate, then decorative function and opacity are improved, but mechanical strength and adhesion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveopacityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining organic resin with inorganic enamel particles to create an enamel composition that integrates the decorative properties of enamel with the mechanical strength and adhesion of organic resin. This composite formulation allows the enamel layer to maintain opacity while gaining improved mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the enamel by incorporating organic resin binders and adjusting the ratio of inorganic to organic components. This parameter modification transforms the traditional inorganic enamel into a hybrid material with enhanced mechanical strength and adhesion while preserving its optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If enamel is deposited on glass substrate, then decorative function is improved, but adhesion to substrate is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveopacityVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by formulating an enamel composition that includes organic resin binders which provide flexible bonding to the glass substrate. This composite structure maintains the decorative opacity of enamel while the organic resin component ensures reliable adhesion to the substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The organic resin acts as an intermediary between the inorganic enamel particles and the glass substrate, facilitating adhesion. The resin creates a bonding interface that connects the enamel layer to the substrate, preventing delamination while allowing the enamel to maintain its decorative properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If high-temperature tempering is applied to enamel-coated glass, then mechanical strength is improved, but processing flexibility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidprocessing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal processing parameters by using lower temperature treatments instead of traditional high-temperature tempering. The organic resin-modified enamel can be cured or set at lower temperatures, allowing the glass to be processed, cut, and shaped before final hardening, thereby maintaining processing flexibility while still achieving improved mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary actions by allowing the enamel-coated glass to be processed, cut, and shaped before the final hardening treatment. The organic resin provides temporary protection and adhesion during these preliminary processing steps, enabling flexibility in manufacturing sequences while the final treatment provides the mechanical strength improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If organic resin is added to enamel, then mechanical strength is improved, but adhesion to glass is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters by carefully controlling the type, amount, and molecular weight of organic resin used in the enamel formulation. This parameter optimization ensures that the resin provides mechanical strength enhancement without compromising adhesion to the glass substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite enamel system where organic resin and inorganic enamel particles work synergistically. The organic resin phase provides mechanical strength and flexibility, while the inorganic phase maintains chemical compatibility with the glass substrate, ensuring both strength improvement and adhesion are achieved simultaneously.

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 enhances the mechanical strength and adhesion of the enamel layer, allowing for safe handling and processing before quenching, while maintaining opacity and meeting safety standards for tempered glass.

Implementation Method 1

The scratchability of this type of enamel before quenching is also not very good, which is particularly linked to the poor adhesion of the enamel layer to the glass substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The main disadvantage of enamel is that the layer deposited on the substrate has very low mechanical and hydrolytic resistance before fusion. It is therefore not possible to transport, store, cut, edge or wash glass coated with enamel until it has been heated and the glass frit has melted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

The substrate coated with the enamel layer is temperable, in the sense that it is possible to subsequently subject it to a tempering treatment at high temperature to obtain tempered safety glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP3140261B1Temperable enamelled glass with improved mechanical strength
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperable glass or glass-ceramic substrate coated at least partially with an sub-layer containing organic resin and a layer of enamel comprising an organic resin and inorganic constituents including at least one glass frit and at least one pigment, said sub-layer being arranged between the substrate and the layer of enamel.