Water-Repellent Slide Fastener for Stainless Element Rust Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stainless steel fastener elements used in slide fasteners are prone to rusting, particularly when exposed to salt water, due to pitting corrosion, which compromises their appearance and durability, and existing treatments like carburizing are complex and costly, making them unsuitable for widespread use as general-purpose products.
Innovation Solution
A slide fastener with stainless steel elements is coated with a water-repellent layer and a coating layer to prevent water penetration, preventing rust formation by ensuring the inner surfaces of the fastener elements do not come into contact with moisture, even without prior water-repellent treatment of the fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If stainless steel is used for fastener elements, then scratch resistance and appearance quality are improved, but rust resistance deteriorates due to pitting corrosion at contact portions
Solution Approach 1:
A water-repellent treatment is applied to the fastener tape before the fastener elements are attached. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that prevents water from reaching the stainless steel elements during subsequent assembly and use, thereby preventing pitting corrosion while maintaining the aesthetic qualities of the stainless steel
Solution Approach 2:
The water-repellent coating acts as an intermediary substance between the fastener tape and the stainless steel elements. It mediates the interaction by blocking water contact with the metal surface, thus protecting against corrosion while allowing the mechanical attachment function to proceed normally
2Reliability
If carburizing treatment is applied to prevent rust, then rust resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water-repellent treatment is applied to the fastener tape before element attachment, providing a simple and effective rust prevention method that avoids complex post-processing steps like carburizing treatment
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying complex and expensive metallurgical treatments like carburizing to extend the life of molds and processing equipment, the invention uses a simple, inexpensive water-repellent coating that can be easily applied and provides sufficient protection for the application
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 solution effectively prevents rust on stainless steel fastener elements, maintaining a high-quality appearance and durability even in environments exposed to salt water, such as beach use, without the need for complex treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a water-repellent layer made of a water-repellent agent is provided on the fastener tape, and adhesion of water to the fastener tape is prevented by the water-repellent layer
Data Source
AI summary
A slide fastener includes a pair of left and right fastener tapes; and a pair of element rows including a plurality of fastener elements that face edge portions of the fastener tapes on sides facing each other along a length direction of the fastener tapes, and to which a slider that engages with the pair of element rows is slidably attached. The fastener element is made of a metal, a water-repellent layer made of a water-repellent agent is provided on the fastener tape, and adhesion of water to the fastener tape is prevented by the water-repellent layer.