Metal Transaction Card Surface Coloring Below Melting Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoplastic transaction cards are susceptible to damage from harsh environments and lack personalization options, while existing metal card manufacturing methods provide irreversible color changes and limited surface finishes.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method for metal transaction cards using a controllable concentrated heat source, such as a laser, to change the color of a metal layer without melting, achieving a reversible color transition and matte surface finish, allowing for personalized and durable cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser beam is used to etch and color the metal surface by melting and recrystallization, then the metal card gains durability and strength, but the coloring process becomes irreversible and limited to glassy color finishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling laser heating temperature to remain below the melting point of the metal layer, thereby avoiding phase transitions. This enables reversible color changes through controlled thermal heating rather than melting, allowing multiple personalization options while maintaining the durability of the metal card
2Strength
If a continuous metal layer is laser-etched to provide a pattern of variable depth, then the card gains strength and durability, but the process causes melting and recrystallization that limits color options to glassy finishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter by controlling the laser heating temperature to stay below the melting point of the metal. This prevents melting and recrystallization, thereby avoiding the limitation to glassy color finishes and enabling precise control over color outcomes while maintaining structural strength
3Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic materials are used to make transaction cards, then the cards are easy to manufacture, but they become damaged or warped when exposed to harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a metal layer with plastic layers to create a metal transaction card. The metal layer provides durability and resistance to environmental damage, while the plastic layers can be molded for easy manufacturing and design flexibility, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and environmental resistance
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 enables reversible color changes with high accuracy and a matte surface finish, enhancing personalization and durability of metal transaction cards without material removal or phase transitions, providing a unique and robust card design.
Implementation Method 1
first heating the at least one surface of the metal layer with the controllable concentrated heat source, to a first heating temperature T1 which is comprised in a temperature range [Tmin; Tmax], Tmax being lower than the melting temperature Tm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a metal transaction card comprising at least one metal layer, said method comprising steps of:providing the metal layer, the metal layer being made of a metal which has a melting temperature Tm, the metal layer having at least one surface which has a first color;providing a controllable concentrated heat source; andfirst heating the at least one surface of the metal layer with the controllable concentrated heat source, to a first heating temperature T1 which is comprised in a temperature range [Tmin; Tmax], Tmax being lower than the melting temperature Tm, the first heating step comprising a sub-step of changing the first color of the at least one surface into a second color, different from the first color.The present invention also relates to a metal transaction card obtained by said method.