Substrate Surface Preparation for Coating Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing substrates with hard materials and metallic binders for coating face challenges in achieving strong adhesion, with previous techniques either resulting in insufficient coating adhesion or requiring complex processes that compromise the strength of the diamond coating.

Innovation Solution

A method involving chemical etching to reduce the metallic binder content on the substrate's surface, followed by pulsed laser treatment to create a granular, porous framework structure that enhances the surface zone's cohesion without complete melting, allowing for a more adherent coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical etching is used to remove metallic binder from the substrate surface, then the coating adhesion is improved, but the substrate strength is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidsubstrate strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a surface zone with reduced metallic binder content specifically at the substrate surface while maintaining the bulk substrate composition unchanged. This localized modification improves coating adhesion at the surface without compromising the overall substrate strength, as only the top layer is chemically etched to reduce binder content to below 10% while the interior retains its original mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical etching is performed as a preliminary action before coating application to pre-modify the substrate surface. By reducing the metallic binder content in the surface zone beforehand, the surface is prepared to provide optimal adhesion for the subsequent coating, while the bulk substrate remains intact to provide structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If laser treatment is used to create deep alveoli in the substrate, then coating adhesion is improved, but the substrate integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidsubstrate integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses local quality by confining the laser treatment effect to a shallow surface zone rather than creating deep alveoli throughout the substrate. The laser parameters are optimized to modify only the top layer where binder removal and surface roughening occur, while the deeper substrate structure remains intact to maintain mechanical integrity and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple treatment steps are used to prepare the substrate surface, then coating adhesion is improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single chemical etching step that simultaneously achieves binder removal, surface roughening, and activation of the substrate surface. This consolidated approach replaces the need for separate laser treatment and acid washing steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining effective coating adhesion through the combined effects of binder reduction and surface modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prepares the substrate surface for a strongly adhering coating, improving the durability and longevity of tools like drills and milling cutters by ensuring optimal surface preparation without compromising the substrate's integrity.

Implementation Method 1

in a second step, a pulsed laser beam is passed over the surface of the substrate's surface region to strengthen the surface zone of the substrate's surface region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the pulsed laser beam has a pulse duration of at most 20 ps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartial melting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

a surface of the substrate's surface region is chemically etched to reduce the weight fraction of the metallic binder in the hard material within a surface zone of the substrate's surface region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical etching: Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3225716B1Method for preparing a surface area of a substrate for a coating
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 FRAISA
  • EP3225716B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3225716B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for preparing a surface area of ​​a substrate for coating, wherein the surface area of ​​the substrate consists of a hard material containing a metallic binder. In a first step, a surface of the substrate is chemically etched to reduce the weight fraction of the metallic binder in the hard material within a surface zone of the substrate. In a second step (2), a laser beam is passed over the surface of the substrate to strengthen the surface zone. The invention further relates to a cutting tool, such as a drill or milling cutter, produced using this method.