Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Adhesion Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for promoting adhesion of organic materials to titanium surfaces are not environmentally friendly and do not consistently achieve long-term, high-strength bonding, often requiring toxic chemicals and generating waste.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of titanium dioxide nanotubes with specific dimensions on the titanium surface through anodic oxidation, which creates an adhesion-promoting layer for organic materials, allowing for a strong and stable bond without toxic chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional adhesion promotion methods (chemical etching, phosphating, anodizing) are used, then adhesion of organic materials to titanium surface is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to toxic chemicals and waste generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameters of the electrolyte composition (using ammonium sulfate and ammonium fluoride instead of toxic chemicals) and anodizing conditions (voltage 5-50V, temperature 10-60°C, time 5-480 minutes) to produce nanotubes with optimal dimensions (diameter 10-300nm, length 100nm-10μm) that provide superior adhesion without environmental harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the naturally forming oxide layer on titanium, which would normally be a barrier to adhesion, into a beneficial nanotube structure through controlled anodizing. The oxide layer is transformed from a harmful barrier into a high-surface-area nanotube array that actively promotes adhesion of organic materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Area of stationary object

If nanotubes with smaller diameter are produced, then surface area for adhesion is increased, but mechanical strength of the structure may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the nanotube parameters (diameter 10-300nm, particularly 20-220nm and 30-180nm, length 100nm-10μm) through controlled anodizing conditions to achieve the optimal balance between surface area and mechanical strength. The specific diameter range maximizes adhesion surface area while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining the titanium substrate with the titanium dioxide nanotube layer. This composite architecture provides both the mechanical strength of the bulk titanium and the high surface area of the nanotube array, resolving the contradiction between strength and surface area

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

This method achieves a long-term stable and high-strength connection between titanium materials and organic coatings, reducing the risk of delamination and enabling structural bonding in applications like aircraft construction with improved corrosion resistance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

production of a nanotube which is firmly connected to the surface of the titanium material and has titanium dioxide and has a diameter of 10 to 300 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnodic oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

WO 2009/015329 A2 relates to a method for forming a vertically oriented titanium nanotube array using electrochemical oxidation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2652058B1Promoting the adhesion of a surface of a titanium material
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP2652058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2652058B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2652058B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for promoting the adhesion of a surface of a titanium material (5). In order to enable improved, in particular environmentally friendly adhesion promotion of the surface, an adhesion promoter layer is applied, which has nanotubes (13) that contain titanium dioxide (TiO2) and that have a diameter of 10 to 300 nm. The method also comprises applying an organic material to the adhesion promoter layer (11) in an adherent manner.