DE102013006317A1 - Method for producing a deep black optic - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a surface (5 ') with sensory properties of a deep black optic on a carrier (1), comprising the following steps: - preparing at least one surface (1') of the carrier (1), - coating the prepared one Surface (1 ') by means of a gas phase deposition process with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) layer (5).

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a surface with sensory properties of a deep black optic on a support and a use of a method for the production of a mobile component.

Methods for the production of surfaces are known in principle. So z. B. for mobile components, such as mobile phones, remote controls or car keys, processed and finished surfaces. In many mobile components, a metallization, especially with chrome, often takes place. In this way, a refinement and thus an increase in the qualitative appearance of these mobile components.

Deep black, metallic surfaces in a matt or high-gloss appearance are nowadays realized in mobile control units or remote controls, above all via lacquer systems, chrome or plastics.

Deep-black, high-gloss paint systems fail to do so particularly in terms of scratch resistance and chemical resistance and lose after a certain time their deep black, high-gloss appearance. In order to achieve increased scratch resistance, UV-curable coating systems are used, which, however, entail increased complexity in production and a high reject rate.

The realization of a deep black chrome plating is not possible while preserving the mechanical and chemical resistance.

Deep black, high-gloss plastics also fail as far as scratch resistance is concerned. In addition, these are generally only feasible without glass fiber reinforcement. Without glass fiber reinforcement, however, plastics seldom meet the mechanical stresses, such as those caused by the impact of shocks and vibrations.

An abrasion-resistant and chemically resistant deep black surface, which has the strongest, metallic luster, as this is desired in a black chrome effect, has not been realized so far secured. In addition, high or low-gloss surface coatings that are produced by other methods, such. As painting, can be achieved, too expensive to apply.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method with which an abrasion-resistant and chemically resistant deep black surface which has the strongest possible metallic gloss, as desired in a black chrome effect, can be achieved. In addition, a method is to be provided, with which high-gloss or matt-glossy surface coatings can be reliably applied.

• – Vorbereiten zumindest einer Oberfläche des Trägers,
• – Beschichten der vorbereiteten Oberfläche mittels eines Gasphasenabscheideverfahrens mit einer DLC(Diamond like Carbon)-Schicht.

To achieve this object, the invention in connection with the preamble of patent claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

• Preparing at least one surface of the carrier,
• - Coating the prepared surface by means of a gas phase deposition process with a DLC (Diamond like carbon) layer.

The above object is further achieved with the features of claim 10, namely with a use of a method for the production of a mobile component.

The particular advantage of the invention is that the application of a DLC layer on surfaces with appropriate pretreatment allows the presentation of deep black, sometimes even shiny metallic surfaces on mobile controls that meet the mechanical and chemical requirements of the automotive industry.

Depending on the substrate and the pretreatment, a matt to high gloss level can be set.

Preferably, the gas phase deposition process is a DLC (diamond like carbon) process. The DLC coating can be applied to any electrically conductive surface.

Under sensory properties of a deep black optic properties are to be understood, which gives a human person the sensory perception of this deep black surface at least partially the impression of a deep black material. Sensory properties are present properties of a material that appeal to a person's optics.

This means in particular the surface structure, the surface gloss or the surface color.

The carrier surface of the carrier can be prepared in a variety of ways. Thus, on the one hand, a preparation for the subsequent gas phase separation process can take place. This is in particular carried out to the effect that the carrier surface of the carrier is provided electrically conductive. This is preferably using galvanic coating process performed. The application of a corrosion protection layer can also serve as preparation for the carrier surface.

Due to the fact that the carrier surface is formed substantially 1: 1 on the surface of the sensor layer (DLC layer) by the gas-phase deposition method, preparation of this carrier surface may, for example, influence the surface structure. Thus, the preparation of at least one support surface of the carrier z. B. also be carried out with respect to a grinding, polishing or similar methods.

• – Schleifen,
• – Polieren,
• – Mattieren oder
• – Galvanisieren.

According to a development of the invention, at least one of the following steps is carried out for the preparation of at least one carrier surface of the carrier:

• - Grind,
• - polishing,
• - Matting or
• - Electroplating.

The galvanizing takes place in particular for producing an intermediate layer which is electrically conductive. Thus, a preparation for improved implementation of the subsequent gas phase separation method is achieved.

The steps grinding, polishing or matting, that is to say in particular machining surface treatment of the carrier surface of the carrier, preferably relate to an adaptation with regard to the sensory properties of the deep black optics with reference to surface roughness and surface gloss.

The generation of an electrically conductive intermediate layer is particularly important as preparation, if the material of the carrier itself has non-conductive material, as it is, for. B. in carriers made of plastic materials is the case.

Galvanized PC-ABS is particularly preferably used as the substrate for the plastic and a zinc die-cast element as the substrate is used as the metal.

• – Auftragen einer Kupferschicht auf den Träger,
• – Auftragen einer Nickelschicht auf die Kupferschicht und
• – Auftragen einer Chromschicht auf die Nickelschicht.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the following intermediate steps take place until the application of the DLC layer:

• Applying a copper layer to the carrier,
• - Applying a nickel layer on the copper layer and
• - Apply a chromium layer on the nickel layer.

The copper layer serves to create an electrically conductive surface on the carrier (substrate). The nickel layer cures the surface and ensures corrosion protection. The optional chrome layer cures the surface additionally.

• – die Beschichtung mit der Kupferschicht mit einer Schichtdicke zwischen ca. 8 und ca. 10 μm,
• – die Beschichtung mit der Nickelschicht mit einer Schichtdicke zwischen ca. 8 und ca. 10 μm und
• – die Beschichtung mit der Chromschicht mit einer Schichtdicke von ca. 0,5 μm.

According to a development of the invention takes place

• The coating with the copper layer with a layer thickness between about 8 and about 10 μm,
• - The coating with the nickel layer with a layer thickness between about 8 and about 10 microns and
• - The coating with the chromium layer with a layer thickness of about 0.5 microns.

This basic structure is usually produced in galvanic baths. It is possible to work on electrolytic or chemical baths.

The DLC layer is then applied to the chromium layer, wherein the coating takes place with a layer thickness between about 2 microns and about 10 microns.

Depending on the surface treatment of the carrier surface, the surface roughness and / or the surface gloss of the sensor layer can be influenced. The layer thickness of the applied DLC layer also influences the resulting surface gloss or the coloring of the sensor layer.

The DLC layer is simply described a carbon layer with high hardness and abrasion resistance. For the deposition, a chemical vapor deposition (Chemical Vapor Deposition CVD, preferably DLC) is used.

According to the invention, a method for the production of a mobile component is provided. This achieves a deep black surface in mobile components, in particular in mobile control elements. These preferably include mobile phones, keys, vehicle remote controls or the like.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

1 a schematic cross section through a carrier at the beginning of a method according to the invention,

2 a schematic cross section through the carrier 1 with a DLC layer after Termination of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention,

3 a schematic cross section through a carrier with further layers according to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention and

4 a schematic cross section 3 with a DLC layer after completion of a further embodiment of the method according to the invention.

In 1 is a schematic cross section through a carrier at the beginning of a method according to the invention shown. The carrier 1 has a carrier surface 1' on. The carrier surface 1' can be pretreated by z. B. takes place a galvanic treatment. Also polishing, grinding or matting this support surface 1' is conceivable. The carrier 1 is as a substrate, in particular as Zinkdruckgusselement 1 educated. The substrate is thus an electrically conductive substrate.

In 2 is a schematic cross section through the carrier 1 with a DLC layer after completion of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The in 2 described cross section corresponds to the 1 , wherein additionally a DLC layer 5 on the carrier 1 is applied.

This creates a component, wherein the carrier 1 serves as a basic body on which the DLC layer 5 has been applied. The DLC layer 5 has a surface 5 ' on.

The DLC layer 5 is simplified describes a carbon layer with high hardness and abrasion resistance. For the deposition, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is used.

The application of a DLC layer 5 On electrically conductive surfaces with appropriate pretreatment allows the representation of deep black, sometimes even shiny metallic surfaces 5 ' on mobile controls that meet the mechanical and chemical requirements of the automotive industry.

The zinc diecasting element 1 also serves as corrosion protection.

In 3 is a schematic cross-section through a carrier with further layers shown according to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention.

As a structure several layers come into play, which is the carrier material for the final DLC layer 5 to prepare. On the carrier 1 in turn become the layers 2 . 3 and 4 applied, namely a copper layer 2 , a nickel layer 3 and a chrome layer 4 ,

The carrier 1 is preferably formed as a smooth plastic or a smooth Zinkdruckgusselement.

First is a copper layer about 8-10 μm thick 2 on the carrier 1 applied. This layer serves to create an electrically conductive surface on the support.

Subsequently, an approximately 8-10 microns thick nickel layer 3 applied. This layer cures the surface and ensures corrosion protection.

On the nickel layer 3 follows an approx. 0.5 μm thin chrome layer 4 which additionally hardens the surface.

The structure additionally smoothens the carrier material, provides it with a hard surface, creates a metallic look and creates an electrically conductive surface.

This basic structure is usually produced in galvanic baths. Optionally, electrolytic or chemical baths are used.

In 4 is a schematic cross section from 3 with a DLC layer after completion of a further embodiment of the process _ according to the invention.

The in 4 described cross section corresponds to the 3 , wherein additionally a DLC layer 5 on the chrome layer 4 is applied. The DLC layer 5 has a surface 5 ' on.

In the case of plastic as a substrate 2 serves a galvano-enabled PC-ABS. In the case of zinc die casting as a basic body 2 The structure also serves as corrosion protection.

The DLC layer 5 has a thickness of about 2 microns. The DLC layer 5 is simplified describes a carbon layer with high hardness and abrasion resistance. For the deposition, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is used.

The application of a DLC layer 5 On electrically conductive surfaces with appropriate pretreatment allows the representation of deep black, sometimes even shiny metallic surfaces 5 ' on mobile controls that meet the mechanical and chemical requirements of the automotive industry.

Depending on the substrate and the pre-treatment, a matt to high-gloss degree of gloss can be set.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of example. Of course, individual features of the embodiments, if technically feasible, can be combined freely with one another, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

carrier

1'

support surface

2

copper layer

3

nickel layer

4

chromium layer

5

DLC layer

5 '

surface

Claims (10)

Method for producing a surface ( 5 ' ) with sensory properties of a deep black optic on a support ( 1 ), comprising the following steps: - preparing at least one surface ( 1' ) of the carrier ( 1 ), - coating the prepared surface ( 1' ) by means of a gas phase deposition method with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) layer ( 5 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the preparation of at least one support surface ( 1' ) of the carrier ( 1 ) at least one of the following steps is carried out: - grinding, - polishing, - matting or - electroplating. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that depending on the substrate of the carrier ( 1 ) and the preparation of at least one support surface ( 1' ) of the carrier ( 1 ) sets a dull to shiny gloss level. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ( 1 ) consists at least partially of plastic and / or at least partially made of metal. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that galvano-enabled PC-ABS is used as the substrate and / or metal as a zinc die-cast element as a substrate as a plastic. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the following intermediate steps until application of the DLC layer ( 5 ): - application of a copper layer ( 2 ) on the carrier ( 1 ), - application of a nickel layer ( 3 ) on the copper layer ( 2 ) and - applying a chrome layer ( 4 ) on the nickel layer ( 3 ). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that - the coating with the copper layer ( 2 ) with a layer thickness between about 8 and about 10 microns, - the coating with the nickel layer ( 3 ) takes place with a layer thickness between about 8 and about 10 microns and - the coating with the chromium layer ( 4 ) takes place with a layer thickness of about 0.5 microns. Method according to one of the preceding claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the metal layers ( 2 . 3 and 4 ) are produced by means of galvanic baths. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating with the DLC layer ( 5 ) takes place with a layer thickness between about 2 microns and about 10 microns. Use of a method having the features of one of claims 1 to 9 for the manufacture of a mobile component.

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