Hexaboride Nanoparticle Resin for Laser Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light-absorbing resin compositions for laser welding have limitations such as narrow absorption wavelength width, poor thermostability, and the need for high amounts to achieve adequate heat generation, leading to irregular welding and coloration issues, especially in applications requiring transparent or colorless joins.

Innovation Solution

A light-absorbing resin composition using hexaboride nanoparticles (e.g., LaB6, CeB6) with a high-molecular-weight dispersant and a glass transition temperature of 30°C or higher, which provides strong absorption in the near-infrared range while maintaining transparency in the visible range, ensuring uniform heat generation and stable welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional light-absorbing resin compositions (carbon black, organic compounds) are used for laser welding, then heat generation capability is achieved, but thermostability deteriorates and transparency is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generation capabilityVSAvoidthermostability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from conventional carbon black and organic compounds to hexaboride nanoparticles (LaB6, CeB6, GdB6). This material substitution provides both high heat generation capability through laser light absorption and superior thermostability, as hexaborides maintain structural stability at high temperatures without decomposing like organic compounds or carbon black.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by dispersing hexaboride nanoparticles within a transparent resin matrix. This composite structure combines the light-absorbing and heat-generating properties of hexaboride nanoparticles with the transparency and structural properties of the resin, achieving both heat generation and thermostability while maintaining transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If conventional light-absorbing resin compositions are used, then heat generation is achieved, but absorption wavelength width remains narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generationVSAvoidabsorption wavelength width
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the inherent optical properties of hexaboride nanoparticles, which exhibit broad absorption characteristics across the near-infrared spectrum. By selecting different hexaboride compositions (LaB6, CeB6, GdB6), the absorption characteristics can be tuned to match various laser wavelengths, providing versatility for different laser types while maintaining efficient heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If high amounts of conventional light-absorbing materials are added to achieve adequate heat generation, then heat generation capability is improved, but welding uniformity deteriorates due to poor dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generation capabilityVSAvoidwelding uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a surface treatment approach where hexaboride nanoparticles are coated with silane coupling agents or other surface modifiers. This creates a protective shell around each nanoparticle that improves dispersion compatibility with the resin matrix, preventing aggregation even at high concentrations, and ensuring uniform heat generation throughout the welded component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dispersing agents and surface treatment compounds as intermediaries between the hexaboride nanoparticles and the resin matrix. These intermediaries facilitate uniform distribution of nanoparticles throughout the resin, preventing clumping and ensuring consistent laser absorption and heat generation across the entire welded structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Temperature

If conventional light-absorbing materials are used, then heat generation is achieved, but transparency and translucency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generation capabilityVSAvoidtransparency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies surface treatment coatings to hexaboride nanoparticles that reduce light scattering in the visible spectrum. The nanoparticles themselves are sized and treated to minimize interference with visible light transmission while maintaining their near-infrared absorption properties, thus preserving transparency and translucency of the final welded product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of hexaboride nanoparticles to a specific range that minimizes visible light scattering. By controlling nanoparticle dimensions and utilizing their unique optical properties, the material absorbs laser wavelengths effectively while remaining transparent to visible light, achieving both heat generation and transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves stable and uniform laser welding with preserved transparency, offering improved thermostability and mechanical strength, and can be used in a broader range of applications without altering the physical characteristics of the resin.

Implementation Method 1

materials that efficiently absorb near-infrared rays at a wavelength of 800 to 1200 nm have been used in light-absorbing resin compositions for laser welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a light-absorbing resin composition using hexaboride nanoparticles (e.g., LaB6, CeB6) with a high-molecular-weight dispersant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric stabilization:

Implementation Method 3

heat is transferred to a side of the light-transmitting resin molded article from a periphery of the melted light-absorbing resin molded article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP1944152B2Light-absorbing resin composition for use in laser welding, light-absorbing resin molded article, and method for manufacturing light-absorbing resin molded article
Publication Date: 2014.08.13 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD
  • EP1944152B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1944152B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1944152B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light-absorbing resin composition for use in laser welding that retains transparency and enables stable laser welding to be performed. The light-absorbing resin composition for use in laser welding comprises a high-molecular-weight dispersant that has a glass transition temperature of 30°C or higher and laser-light-absorbing nanoparticles. The laser-light-absorbing nanoparticles are nanoparticles of a hexaboride expressed by the general formula XB6 (where X is one or more elements selected from La, Ce, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Sm, Eu, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sr, and Ca).