Gold Composite Material for Watchmaking with Epoxy Resin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precious metal-based composites for watchmaking and jewelry require complex preparation processes and expensive ceramic matrices, making them difficult to implement and costly, while maintaining mechanical and electrical conduction properties.
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising gold particles greater than 600 nm, titanium nitride particles, epoxy resin, and fibers, which allows for a lightweight, electrically conductive material suitable for plating and galvanic surface treatment, without the need for complex preparation processes, using a composition of at least 75% gold, 2-10% titanium nitride, 5-15% epoxy resin, and 0.5-6% fibers, with a hardener, to achieve a homogeneous and conductive final product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ceramic matrices are used to achieve hardness and electrical conduction, then mechanical properties and conduction are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, difficult-to-process ceramic matrices with a more accessible epoxy resin matrix. The epoxy resin achieves the necessary mechanical properties and electrical conduction without requiring complex infiltration processes at high pressures (10-200 bars), thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the matrix material parameter from ceramic to epoxy resin, and optimizes the gold particle size parameter (>600 nm) to achieve both mechanical strength and electrical conduction. This parameter optimization allows the material to meet performance requirements without complex processing.
2Reliability
If high gold content is used to maintain conduction properties, then electrical conductivity is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the gold particle size parameter to be greater than 600 nm. This size optimization reduces the total surface area and improves packing efficiency, allowing adequate electrical conduction with reduced gold content compared to smaller particles, thereby lowering material cost while maintaining conduction reliability.
3Strength
If smaller gold particles are used to increase surface area, then reactivity and bonding are improved, but density increases and conduction properties decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies >600 nm as the optimal particle size parameter that balances multiple requirements: sufficient surface area for bonding with the epoxy matrix, adequate density control, and maintained electrical conduction properties. This parameter optimization resolves the trade-off between bonding strength and conduction reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex preparation processes are used to achieve homogeneous material, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter (>600 nm) to achieve natural homogeneous distribution in the epoxy matrix without requiring complex extrusion or multi-step processing. This parameter optimization enables simple mixing and casting processes while maintaining material homogeneity, thereby significantly improving productivity.
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 lightweight, electrically conductive composite material with enhanced mechanical properties and reduced production complexity, maintaining conduction properties even with high gold content, and allowing for the creation of articles like jewelry and watch components with improved tensile strength and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The composite material is electrically conductive, making it suitable for plating treatment and/or galvanic surface treatment
Implementation Method 2
epoxy resin hardens by polymerization of monomers and/or pre-polymers and/or by crosslinking
Implementation Method 3
epoxy resin hardens by polymerization of monomers and/or pre-polymers and/or by crosslinking
Implementation Method 4
gold particles having a size greater than 600 nm (> 600 nm)... The particles (in particular Au and TiN) can in particular be in the form of flakes or three-dimensional particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composite composition and its use in the fields of watchmaking, jewelry, or fine jewelry. This composite composition comprises, by weight: - at least 75.00% gold particles, - titanium nitride particles, - an epoxy resin, - fibers, the gold particles having a size greater than 600 nm.