Glitter Pigment Optical Interference System for High-Brightness Whitish Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glitter pigments, such as those using bismuth oxychloride, require additives for light resistance, increasing production costs, and increasing the number of layers in optical interference systems to enhance brightness results in higher production costs and thickness, while conventional five-layer systems do not effectively produce high-brightness whitish reflected light.
Innovation Solution
A five-layer optical interference system comprising a glass or alumina flake substrate with specific thickness ranges for silicon oxide and titanium oxide layers, forming a continuous optical interference system on both surfaces of the flake, enhancing the brightness of whitish reflected light without increasing the number of layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If bismuth oxychloride is used as a flaky whitish pigment, then reflected light brightness is improved, but light resistance deteriorates requiring additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a glass flake substrate combined with silicon oxide and titanium oxide layers. This composite material achieves both high brightness (L*≥68) and excellent light resistance without requiring additional light-stabilizing additives, resolving the contradiction between brightness and light resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by replacing bismuth oxychloride with a glass flake-based composite system. By adjusting the thickness parameters of the glass flake (50-200 μm) and the oxide layers, the system achieves optimal brightness while maintaining inherent light resistance of glass and oxide materials.
2Illumination intensity
If the number of layers in optical interference system is increased to enhance brightness, then reflected light brightness is improved, but production cost and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the substrate and optical interference layers into an integrated five-layer system where the glass flake serves as both substrate and part of the interference structure. The silicon oxide layer (70-100 nm) and titanium oxide layer (50-150 nm) are combined with the glass flake to form a unified optical system that achieves high brightness without requiring additional separate layers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass flake substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural base, provides optical interference capability, and contributes to the overall brightness enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated layers, maintaining simplicity while achieving high L* values.
3Illumination intensity
If titanium oxide layer thickness is optimized for maximum brightness, then L* value is maximized, but reflectance in resin decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by setting specific thickness ranges for each layer: glass flake (50-200 μm), silicon oxide (70-100 nm), and titanium oxide (50-150 nm). These localized thickness specifications ensure that the optical interference system maintains consistent performance both in air and when dispersed in resin, achieving L*≥68 and reflectance≥40% at 550 nm.
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 cost-effective and stable glitter pigment with high-brightness whitish reflected light, maintaining optimal reflectance properties when dispersed in various resins, achieving L* values of 68 or more and reflectance of 40% or more at 550 nm, while maintaining a small chroma C* value for a whitish color.
Implementation Method 1
a silicon oxide layer and a titanium oxide layer which are formed in this order on both a first principal surface and a second principal surface of the flaky substrate... a five-layer optical interference system composed of the titanium oxide layer, the silicon oxide layer, the flaky substrate, the silicon oxide layer, and the titanium oxide layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a new glitter pigment suitable for providing high-brightness whitish reflected light. The glitter pigment according to the present invention includes: a flaky substrate 1; and a silicon oxide layer 2 and a titanium oxide layer 3 formed in this order on the flaky substrate 1, wherein in the case where the flaky substrate is the glass flake, the glass flake has a thickness of 284 to 322 nm, the silicon oxide layer has a thickness of 89 to 109 nm, and the titanium oxide layer has a thickness of 51 to 86 nm. In the case where the flaky substrate is the alumina flake, the alumina flake has a thickness of 260 to 280 nm, the silicon oxide layer has a thickness of 79 to 102 nm, and the titanium oxide layer has a thickness of 47 to 87 nm.