Glass-Ceramic Cooktop Coating Resists Thermomechanical Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass-ceramic cooktops face challenges in achieving a strong, heat-resistant, and abrasion-resistant dark color coating that persists under thermomechanical stresses, while maintaining the mechanical strength and transparency of the glass-ceramic substrate.

Innovation Solution

A glass-ceramic article with a substrate coated in a paint composition comprising silicone resin with methyl and phenyl groups, lamellar inorganic fillers such as mica and talc, and black pigments, which provides excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance without significantly weakening the glass-ceramic substrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional enamels are used to coat glass-ceramic plates, then high temperature resistance is achieved, but mechanical strength is locally reduced and flaking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh temperature resistanceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite paint formulation combining silicone resin with methyl and phenyl groups, inorganic pigments, and specific additives to create a coating that achieves both high temperature resistance and mechanical strength, avoiding the flaking problem of conventional enamels while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating by using silicone resin with specific methyl and phenyl group ratios, along with controlled particle sizes of inorganic pigments (1-10 μm) and fillers (5-20 μm), to optimize both thermal stability and mechanical adhesion properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If thick enamel deposits are applied to achieve strong colors, then color intensity is improved, but flaking occurs and mechanical strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves strong color intensity with thin deposits by optimizing the concentration and particle size of inorganic pigments (1-10 μm) in the silicone resin matrix, eliminating the need for thick applications that cause flaking while maintaining mechanical strength through proper formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional black paints are used on glass-ceramic, then application is simplified, but color depth is insufficient and adhesion is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidcolor depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite paint system using silicone resin with methyl and phenyl groups combined with specific inorganic black pigments and fillers, achieving both deep black color and excellent adhesion to glass-ceramic surfaces while maintaining ease of application through proper formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Illumination intensity

If transparent glass-ceramic is used, then visual detection of heating elements is enabled, but concealment of heating elements when off is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of heating elementsVSAvoidconcealment of heating elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies black paint coating selectively to specific zones of the glass-ceramic surface where heating elements are located, maintaining transparency in other areas for visual detection while providing concealment and aesthetic appearance in the heated zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a deep black color with low lightness, excellent adhesion to the glass-ceramic substrate, and resistance to thermomechanical stresses, including up to 500°C temperature variations, without delamination or discoloration.

Implementation Method 1

A glass-ceramic article with a substrate coated in a paint composition comprising silicone resin with methyl and phenyl groups, lamellar inorganic fillers such as mica and talc, and black pigments, which provides excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance without significantly weakening the glass-ceramic substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

lamellar inorganic fillers with a thickness of less than 2 μm and with lateral dimensions, for at least 80% by weight of said fillers, of between 10 μm and 65 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal resistance: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The paint composition comprising silicone resin with methyl and phenyl groups, lamellar inorganic fillers such as mica and talc, and black pigments, which provides excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReinforcement: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 4

The solution achieves a deep black color with low lightness, excellent adhesion to the glass-ceramic substrate, and resistance to thermomechanical stresses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 5

resistance to thermomechanical stresses, including up to 500°C temperature variations, without delamination or discoloration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal shock resistance: Thermal Shock

Implementation Method 6

heat resistance, and abrasion resistance without significantly weakening the glass-ceramic substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stability: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12338166B2Glass-ceramic article
Publication Date: 2025.06.24 EUROKERA SOC & NOM COLLECTIF

AI summary

Article, especially a cooktop or furniture element, containing at least one substrate, such as a plate, made of glass-ceramic, the substrate being coated in at least one zone with paint containing at least: 1) a silicone resin having methyl and phenyl groups, 2) one or more lamellar inorganic fillers with a thickness of less than 2 μm and with lateral dimensions, for at least 80% by weight of the fillers, of between 10 μm and 65 μm, including at least: 2a) mica(s), and 2b) talc and/or one or more carbonates, 3) one or more black pigments. Process for obtaining the article.