Gold-Colored Steel Sheet via In-Situ TiN Layer Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating colored steel sheets, such as stainless steel, face high costs due to the need for specialized vacuum equipment and often suffer from peeling phenomena caused by low adhesion between the base material and the modified layer.
Innovation Solution
A gold-colored steel sheet is manufactured by forming a TiN modified layer with 30 wt % or more Ti and 10 wt % or more N on a stainless steel substrate through a conventional annealing process in a nitrogen atmosphere, ensuring strong adhesion and aesthetic gold color expression without expensive facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional annealing process is used to form TiN modified layer, then manufacturing cost is reduced and adhesion is improved, but gold color expression and corrosion resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the steel substrate by precisely controlling the content of alloying elements (Ti: 0.03-1.5 wt%, Nb: 0.003-0.06 wt%, B: 0.0003-0.006 wt%, and others) to enable the formation of a TiN modified layer with specific properties during conventional annealing, achieving both cost-effectiveness and high corrosion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure consisting of a steel substrate and a TiN modified layer formed on its surface. The modified layer contains titanium nitride compounds formed during annealing, combining the base steel properties with the protective and aesthetic properties of TiN, thus achieving both economical manufacturing and superior corrosion resistance
2Illumination intensity
If PVD or CVD methods are used to deposit TiN layer, then gold color expression is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and adhesion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the steel substrate to self-form the TiN modified layer through conventional annealing treatment. The alloying elements already present in the steel (particularly Ti, Nb, and B) react during heating to spontaneously create the desired TiN layer on the surface, eliminating the need for expensive external deposition equipment and processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes during the annealing process (temperature, time, atmosphere) to transform the chemical state of alloying elements in the steel, converting them into a TiN modified layer with golden color. This approach achieves the same aesthetic effect as PVD/CVD but through thermal processing alone
3Illumination intensity
If PVD or CVD methods are used to deposit TiN layer, then gold color expression is improved, but adhesion between base material and modified layer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the substrate material and the modified layer into an integrated structure. The TiN modified layer is formed in-situ from the substrate's own alloying elements during annealing, creating a gradual transition zone that ensures strong metallurgical bonding between the base material and the surface layer, eliminating adhesion problems
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 allows for the economical production of a gold-colored steel sheet with a high pitting potential and excellent corrosion resistance, free from peeling issues, while expressing an aesthetic gold color with a b* value of 25 or more in the L*a*b* color system.
Implementation Method 1
a modified layer formed by a reaction through diffusion of titanium (Ti) and nitrogen (N), which is enriched from the inside into a surface of a material
Implementation Method 2
forming a TiN modified layer on a surface of a steel sheet including 0.3 to 1.5 wt % of titanium (Ti) by an annealing treatment in a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a gold-colored steel sheet capable of expressing color without peeling of a modified layer and the gold-colored steel sheet capable of forming a color-modified layer through a conventional annealing process without expensive facilities.A method of manufacturing the gold-colored steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention can form a TiN modified layer on a surface of a steel sheet comprising 0.3 to 1.5 wt % of titanium (Ti) by an annealing treatment in a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere at 900 to 1,200° C. for 30 to 300 seconds.