Hot-Formed Al-Coated Sheet Metal with SDR-Tuned Adhesive Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Components with aluminum-based corrosion protection layers face challenges in achieving good adhesive bonding due to the poor chemical bonding between zinc-conditioned adhesives and aluminum oxides, leading to inadequate mechanical anchoring and adhesion.

Innovation Solution

Creating a sheet metal component with a surface texture in the adhesive section that increases the effective surface area for bonding, characterized by an SDR value of 3-30%, which enhances mechanical anchoring and adhesion by forming peaks and troughs, thereby improving the adhesive bond strength and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an aluminum-based corrosion protection layer is applied onto the steel substrate, then corrosion resistance is improved, but adhesive bonding quality deteriorates due to poor chemical bonding between zinc-conditioned adhesives and aluminum oxides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidadhesive bonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface parameter of the aluminum corrosion protection layer by creating a specific surface texture with an SDR value of 3-30%. This physical parameter change increases the effective surface area and improves mechanical anchoring, allowing adhesives to achieve adequate bonding strength on aluminum surfaces without compromising the corrosion protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the surface of the aluminum corrosion protection layer is kept smooth, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adhesive bonding strength deteriorates due to insufficient mechanical anchoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidadhesive bonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a controlled surface texture parameter (SDR value of 3-30%) that creates peaks and troughs on the aluminum surface. This parameter change enhances mechanical anchoring for adhesive bonding while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through existing hot forming processes, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the SDR value is increased to improve adhesive bonding, then mechanical anchoring is enhanced, but surface roughness becomes excessive for hot forming and paint adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical anchoringVSAvoidsurface roughness control
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention establishes an optimized parameter range for SDR value (3-30%) that simultaneously satisfies multiple requirements: provides sufficient mechanical anchoring for adhesive bonding while maintaining surface roughness suitable for hot forming and paint adhesion. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between enhancing mechanical anchoring and controlling surface roughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12104218B2Sheet metal component and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2024.10.01 THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG PATENTE PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A sheet metal component made of a hot-formed flat steel product including a steel substrate consisting of, in mass. %, C: 0.1-0.4%, Mn: 0.5-3.0%, Si: 0.05-0.5%, Cr: 0.005-1.0%, B: 0.00050.01% and optionally one or more of V, Ti, Nb, Al, Ni, Cu, Mo, and W, where the contents of the respective optionally present alloy element are V: 0.001-0.2%, Ti: 0.01-0.1%, Nb: 0.001-0.1%, Al: 0.01-0.2%, Ni: 0.01-0.4%, Cu: 0.01-0.8%, Mn: 0.002-1.0%, W: 0.001-1.0%, and the remainder iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein the unavoidable impurities include contents of less than 0.1% P, less than 0.05% S, and less than 0.01% N, and an Al corrosion protection layer applied to the steel substrate, wherein the component is optionally hardened. An adhesive section having an SDR value of 3-30%, determined according to ISO 25178, is provided on the free outer face of the corrosion protection coating for adhering the sheet metal component to another component.