Watch Coating with Titanium Carbide Undercoat for Scratch Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watch coatings face challenges with scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, adhesion to the base, and allergic reactions, while maintaining a high-grade appearance and brightness, due to limitations in platinum, molybdenum, chromium, and tantalum carbide films.
Innovation Solution
A watch with a decorative member featuring a coating layer composed of a reaction compound or alloy of metals like Mo, W, Nb, Ta, Cr, Ti, Hf, and Zr, combined with nitrogen or carbon, providing a carbide, nitride, or carbonitride film with adjustable thickness and properties for enhanced scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a platinum coating is formed on the outermost layer to improve brightness and appearance, then the high-grade appearance is achieved, but the film thickness must be kept thin to suppress color change due to peeling, resulting in insufficient scratch resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a titanium carbide undercoat layer and a platinum decorative coating layer. The titanium carbide layer provides hardness and scratch resistance, while the thin platinum layer provides brightness and appearance. This composite approach allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The titanium carbide layer serves as an intermediary between the base and the platinum coating. It provides a hard, adhesive substrate that prevents peeling of the thin platinum layer, thereby maintaining both the brightness of the platinum and the scratch resistance of the underlying hard layer.
2Strength
If the hardness of the titanium carbide layer is increased to improve scratch resistance, then scratch resistance improves, but the color tone is darkened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different layers: the titanium carbide undercoat layer is designed with high hardness for scratch resistance, while the platinum outer layer provides the bright, light color tone. This local differentiation of properties allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Strength
If the film thickness of the titanium carbide layer is increased to improve scratch resistance, then scratch resistance improves, but peeling of the film occurs due to increasing film stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the titanium carbide layer to balance scratch resistance and adhesion. By carefully controlling the thickness within a specific range, the film stress is kept at acceptable levels while still providing sufficient hardness and scratch resistance.
4Strength
If a Mo coating is used instead of platinum to improve brightness and scratch resistance, then brightness and scratch resistance improve, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where the titanium carbide undercoat layer provides corrosion resistance and the outer layer provides brightness and scratch resistance. This composite approach allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
5Reliability
If a Cr coating is used to improve brightness and corrosion resistance, then brightness and corrosion resistance improve, but scratch resistance deteriorates due to low film hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where the titanium carbide undercoat layer provides high hardness and scratch resistance, while the outer layer provides corrosion resistance and brightness. This composite approach allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
6Strength
If a Nb carbide film or Ta carbide film is used to improve hardness and corrosion resistance, then hardness and corrosion resistance improve, but adhesion to base deteriorates and brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different layers: the titanium carbide undercoat layer is designed with high adhesion to the base and appropriate hardness, while the outer layer provides brightness and corrosion resistance. This local differentiation of properties allows each layer to optimize its specific function.
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 achieves a watch with improved scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, and a high-grade appearance, while minimizing allergic reactions and allowing for control over film hardness, brightness, and color tone, enabling the formation of thick, durable coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a titanium carbide layer is formed on the surface thereof by a dry plating method
Data Source
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AI summary
A rigid decorative member of the present invention is a rigid decorative member comprising a base and a rigid coating layer laminated on or above the base, wherein the rigid coating layer comprises a reaction compound of raw metal, in which a metal M1 and a metal M2, and in addition, selectively a metal M3 are combined, and of a non-metallic element selected from one or two or more of nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen, or comprises an alloy in which a metal M1 and a metal M2, and in addition, selectively a metal M3 are combined; the metal M1 is selected from one or two of Mo and W; the metal M2 is selected from one or two or more of Nb, Ta, and V; and the metal M3 is selected from one or two or more of Cr, Ti, Hf, and Zr.