Moving-Substrate Plasma Nano Coating for Uniform Corrosion Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing nano coatings using plasma chemical vapor deposition face challenges such as poor protective properties, low production efficiency, and uneven coating thickness due to static substrates and inadequate control over plasma discharge energy, leading to loose and non-compact film structures that lack effective corrosion resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a moving substrate with planar or three-dimensional reciprocating motion during plasma discharge, combined with continuous or high duty ratio pulse discharge, and the introduction of poly-functional cross-linking monomers to form a compact mesh structure, allowing for better control of plasma energy and bond formation for enhanced coating properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous discharge method is used with static substrate, then coating can be formed, but coating structure is loose and protective properties are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective propertiesVSAvoidcoating structure compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is transformed from a static state to a dynamic moving state during plasma discharge. The substrate moves through the plasma field, which enhances the compactness of the coating structure and improves protective properties by preventing loose film formation that occurs with static substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic reciprocating motion of the substrate combined with controlled plasma discharge cycles. This periodic action allows for optimized energy distribution and monomer deposition, creating a compact cross-linked mesh structure with superior protective properties compared to continuous discharge on static substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If plasma chemical vapor deposition is used, then nano coating can be prepared, but production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating thickness controlVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the substrate through the plasma field at controlled speeds, the patent achieves uniform coating thickness while significantly reducing deposition time. The dynamic exposure ensures all areas receive appropriate plasma energy, eliminating the need for multiple passes and improving production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including substrate moving speed, plasma power, monomer flow rate, and vacuum degree to achieve high-speed deposition with precise thickness control. These parameter changes enable rapid coating formation while maintaining nano-level precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If Parylene coating is applied for corrosion protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but heat dissipation is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares ultra-thin nano coatings with thickness precisely controlled in the nanometer range (1-100 nm), which is 10-100 times thinner than conventional Parylene coatings. This drastic reduction in thickness maintains effective corrosion protection while allowing heat to dissipate through the coating, solving the heat dissipation problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If masking pretreatment is performed for vapor deposition, then coating quality is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moving substrate eliminates the need for masking pretreatment by ensuring uniform plasma exposure and monomer deposition across the entire surface during motion. This dynamic approach achieves coating uniformity without the complexity of masking steps, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach results in a multi-functional nano coating with improved resistance to water, moisture, acids, and alkaline environments, increased production efficiency, and enhanced corrosion resistance, while maintaining low influence on radio frequency communication signals.

Implementation Method 1

enable the plasma discharge, and carry out chemical vapor deposition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma discharge: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

carry out chemical vapor deposition. The deposition process consists of pretreatment and coating phases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP3628756B1Substrate-moving type apparatus and method for preparing NANO coating by means of plasma discharge
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 JIANGSU FAVORED NANOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3628756B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3628756B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3628756B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for preparing a nano coating through plasma discharge with a moving substrate are provided, which belong to the field of plasma technologies. The apparatus comprises electrodes, a vacuum exhausting device, a gas pipeline, and a substrate fixing device. The substrate fixing device can move in a space formed by the electrodes as driven by the motion mechanism. A monomer vapor is introduced into a reaction chamber for chemical vapor deposition process, and the deposition process consists of pretreatment and coating phases. In the pretreatment phase, the plasma discharge mode is high power continuous discharge; in the coating phase, the plasma discharge mode is low power continuous discharge. During the coating preparation, the kinetic characteristics of a substrate interact with the plasma discharge energy. The substrate moves at the time of plasma discharging, which increases the coating deposition efficiency, and also improves the thickness uniformity and compactness of the coating. The prepared coating is characterized by the properties of resistance to water, moisture, fungus, acidic and alkaline solvents, acidic and alkaline salt sprays, and the like.