Glass Fiber Coating for Enhanced Durability

Solution Overview

Problem

Transparent composite materials face challenges in achieving high durability and resistance to chemical attacks, UV radiation, and mechanical abrasion while maintaining optical transparency and cost-effectiveness, as existing reinforcing fibers often compromise on environmental durability to meet strength and cost requirements.

Innovation Solution

A glass fiber reinforcing material is developed by coating a first glass material with a second glass material having enhanced durability characteristics, where the second glass material forms a substantially uniform coating layer, improving the overall durability without significantly affecting the optical properties or increasing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single glass material is used for the reinforcing fiber, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost is reduced, but the environmental durability and resistance to chemical attack are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental durabilityVSAvoidfiber structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a first glass material (providing optical transparency and base strength) with a second glass material coating (providing enhanced durability and chemical resistance). This creates a multi-material fiber structure where each material contributes its advantageous properties, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional properties to different regions of the fiber: the first glass material forms the core providing optical properties, while the second glass material forms a coating layer providing enhanced durability and chemical resistance. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a glass fiber with high durability is used, then resistance to chemical attack and environmental degradation is improved, but the optical transparency and light transmission properties may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to chemical attackVSAvoidoptical transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional properties to different regions of the fiber: the first glass material forms the core providing optical properties, while the second glass material forms a coating layer providing enhanced durability and chemical resistance. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a first glass material (providing optical transparency and base strength) with a second glass material coating (providing enhanced durability and chemical resistance). This creates a multi-material fiber structure where each material contributes its advantageous properties, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the coating layer thickness is increased to improve durability, then environmental resistance is enhanced, but the optical properties and light transmission are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidlight transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a coating layer of the second glass material that provides sufficient durability and chemical resistance without excessive thickness that would compromise optical properties. The coating is applied to the surface of the first glass material core, providing protective functionality while maintaining overall light transmission through the fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The solution provides improved durability and resistance to chemical attacks, UV radiation, and mechanical abrasion while maintaining the optical transparency and reducing the overall cost of the glass fiber, making it suitable for high-impact and environmentally demanding applications.

Implementation Method 1

a second glass material coating the first glass material with a substantially uniform coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

Both the matrix material and the reinforcing fiber are fabricated from a transparent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 3

The environmental durability of the composite is dependent upon the durability of both the matrix material and the reinforcing fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS8141393B2Glass fibers having improved durability

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A glass fiber and a method of manufacturing a glass fiber for reinforcing a transparent composite matrix is disclosed. The glass fiber includes a first glass material having a first refractive index, a first modulus, and a first durability characteristic and a second glass material having a second refractive index, a second modulus, and second durability characteristic. The second durability characteristic is greater than the first durability characteristic. Durability characteristic is selected from the group comprising resistance to chemical attack, resistance to acid attack, resistance to fading from exposure to ultra-violet radiation, and resistance to mechanical abrasion.