Silane-Coated Metal Bonding for Wet Adhesion Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface treatment techniques for metals result in reduced adhesive strength to resins in long-term wet conditions, leading to inadequate durability in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

Innovation Solution

A surface-treated metal material with a silane film having specific absorption peaks and surface roughness characteristics, enhanced by a silane film and an adhesive resin layer, providing improved adhesion and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional surface treatment techniques are used, then initial adhesion can be improved, but adhesive durability in long-term wet conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidadhesive durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the silane film by incorporating both hydrophobic groups (alkyl chains) and hydrophilic groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) in specific ratios. This dual-nature composition allows the film to provide both strong initial adhesion through chemical bonding and long-term durability through water repellency and resistance to hydrolysis, thereby resolving the contradiction between initial adhesion strength and long-term adhesive durability in wet conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the metal surface is modified for adhesion, then adhesion between metal and adhesive improves, but water resistance at the interface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between metal and adhesiveVSAvoidwater ingress at interface
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The silane film creates a gradient structure with different functional groups oriented in specific directions: hydrophilic groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) face the metal substrate to provide strong chemical adhesion, while hydrophobic alkyl chains extend outward to repel water and prevent water ingress. This spatial differentiation of functional groups within the same film resolves the contradiction between achieving strong adhesion and maintaining water resistance at the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The silane film functions as a composite material combining organic (alkyl chains) and inorganic (silane backbone with metal oxide bonds) components, as well as hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional groups. This composite structure enables the film to simultaneously provide chemical adhesion to the metal substrate and physical/chemical water barrier properties, preventing water ingress while maintaining strong bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 surface-treated metal material maintains excellent adhesive strength and durability even in harsh conditions, preventing water ingress and ensuring long-term joint integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the surface-treated metal material has an absorption peak in a wave number region of 1250 (cm⁻¹) in an absorption spectrum in a wave number region of 4000 (cm⁻¹) to 400 (cm⁻¹)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4696501A1Surface-treated metal material and bonded body
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP4696501A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696501A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4696501A1 patent drawing

AI summary

To provide a surface-treated metal material used for adhesive joining and capable of further improving adhesive durability, and a joined body including the surface-treated metal material. A surface-treated metal material includes: a metal base material; and a silane film provided on at least a part of a surface of the metal base material, in which a surface of the silane film has an absorption peak in a wave number region of 1250 (cm-1) or more and 1150 (cm-1) or less in a case where parallel polarized light having an incident angle of 75° is incident and an absorption spectrum is measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the surface of the silane film has an aspect ratio of 0.5 or more in a case where a surface roughness is measured using a laser microscope in a measurement range of 1 mm × 1 mm at any three positions.