Glass Ceramic Coating Coloration via Inorganic Oxide Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass-based coatings on glass ceramics with low thermal expansion face challenges in achieving sufficient color effect, mechanical abrasion resistance, and noise optimization due to the limitations of pigment addition, which increases roughness and disrupts smoothness, leading to adverse effects on cleaning and aesthetic properties.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a glass ceramic article with a lithium aluminosilicate glass-based coating that crystallizes inorganic colored bodies during the baking process, reducing roughness and enhancing adhesion, while minimizing pigment usage to achieve a smooth, noise-optimized surface with improved thermal and chemical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If coloring pigments are added to achieve color effect, then the coating gains color, but the roughness increases and smoothness is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor effectVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass-based coating by incorporating specific metal oxides (Fe2O3, CoO, NiO, MnO, Cr2O3, CuO, ZnO, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, WO3, MoO3, Bi2O3, PbO, B2O3, SiO2, Al2O3, P2O5, F, Cl, and SO3) in controlled amounts. These compositional changes enable coloration through the glass matrix itself rather than relying on discrete pigment particles, thereby maintaining surface smoothness while achieving the desired color effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If pigments are added to achieve color, then color effect is improved, but mechanical abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor effectVSAvoidmechanical abrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition of the glass-based coating by incorporating color-providing metal oxides directly into the glass matrix. This compositional change allows the color to be an integral part of the coating structure rather than a separate pigment phase, thereby maintaining the mechanical integrity and abrasion resistance of the coating while achieving the desired coloration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If pigments are added for color, then color effect is enhanced, but cleaning behavior worsens due to increased roughness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor effectVSAvoidcleaning behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters of the glass-based coating to incorporate color-providing metal oxides within the glass matrix itself. This eliminates the need for discrete pigment particles that would increase surface roughness, thereby maintaining a smooth surface that is easy to clean while still achieving the desired color effect through the optical properties of the metal oxide-containing glass.

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 method results in a glass ceramic article with a low thermal expansion coefficient, reduced roughness, enhanced adhesion, and improved noise optimization, addressing the issues of color effect, mechanical resistance, and cleaning behavior.

Implementation Method 1

the glass powder is melted and inorganic colored bodies crystallize

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

inorganic colored bodies crystallize

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

When the coated substrate is heated, the glass powder is melted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3067333B1Method for the production of a glass ceramic article having a colored glass-based coating, and a coated glass ceramic article
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 SCHOTT AG
  • EP3067333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3067333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3067333B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for producing a glass or glass-ceramic article with a colored, glass-based coating is disclosed, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a substrate; (b) applying a coating material to a surface of the substrate, wherein the coating material comprises glass powder; and (c) heating the coated substrate to melt the glass powder and thereby crystallize inorganic colorants. Furthermore, a glass or glass-ceramic article is disclosed, comprising a glass or glass-ceramic substrate and a colored, glass-based coating on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises a molten glass layer containing crystallized inorganic colorants (Fig. 1).