TiN Low-E Glazing Stack That Resists Cracking During Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-emissivity glazings with titanium nitride layers are prone to cracking during heat treatments like bending, and they compromise thermal insulation properties when using non-titanium metal layers for protection, necessitating improved stack configurations.
Innovation Solution
A glass article with a stack comprising titanium nitride layers and interlayers of titanium, aluminum, or silicon, with specific thicknesses and configurations, ensuring thermal insulation and resistance to heat treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If titanium nitride layers are used for low-emissivity glazing, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but the glazing is prone to cracking during heat treatments like bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite stack structure combining multiple materials: titanium nitride functional layers for thermal insulation, silicon nitride protective layers for mechanical strength, and intermediate titanium or aluminum layers for adhesion and stress management. This composite approach allows the glazing to maintain low emissivity while resisting cracking during heat treatments like bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary layers of titanium or aluminum between the titanium nitride functional layers and the silicon nitride protective layers. These intermediary layers act as stress buffers and adhesion promoters, preventing direct stress transfer from the rigid protective layer to the functional titanium nitride layer during heat treatment, thereby preventing cracking.
2Strength
If non-titanium metal layers are used for protection, then mechanical protection is provided, but thermal insulation properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials with specific properties to different positions in the stack: titanium nitride layers are placed where thermal insulation is most needed, while silicon nitride layers are positioned for mechanical protection. The intermediate titanium or aluminum layers are strategically placed to provide adhesion and stress management without significantly impacting thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-layer composite structure where each layer contributes specific properties: titanium nitride for low emissivity, silicon nitride for mechanical strength and protection, and intermediate titanium or aluminum layers for adhesion. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical protection and thermal insulation without using non-titanium metal layers that would compromise thermal properties.
3Illumination intensity
If light transmission is reduced to below 10% for visual comfort, then passenger privacy is improved, but light reflection must also be controlled below 10%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of each layer in the stack to achieve the desired optical properties. By carefully controlling the thickness of titanium nitride layers (for absorption) and silicon nitride layers (for interference effects), the patent achieves light transmission below 10% while maintaining light reflection below 10%, without requiring excessively complex multi-layer configurations.
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 provides glazings with low light reflection and transmission, maintaining thermal insulation properties without cracking, suitable for vehicle and architectural applications.
Implementation Method 1
stacks comprising thin 'functional' layers (presently based on titanium nitride), that is to say acting on solar and/or thermal radiation essentially by reflection and/or absorption of near infrared (solar) or far infrared (thermal) radiation
Implementation Method 2
acting on solar and/or thermal radiation essentially by reflection and/or absorption of near infrared (solar) or far infrared (thermal) radiation
Implementation Method 3
other layers, generally made of dielectric material and generally mainly having the function of chemical or mechanical protection of said functional layers
Data Source
AI summary
A glass article with solar control properties, includes a glass substrate provided with a stack of layers that includes successively from the surface of the substrate a first module M1 made of layer(s) of dielectric material, a first layer TiN1 including titanium nitride, a second module M2 made of layer(s) of dielectric material, a second layer TiN2 including titanium nitride, a third module M3 made of layer(s) of dielectric material. The total thickness the TiN1 and TiN2 layers including titanium nitride is between 25 and 60 nm. The third module M3 includes a layer including an oxide or oxynitride of silicon having a thickness greater than 10 nm. An interlayer IL of titanium, aluminum, silicon, or an alloy thereof, or of a nickel chromium alloy, is deposited between the second layer TiN2 and the third module M3, the thickness of the interlayer IL being between 0.5 nm and 7 nm.