Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D7/00—Electroplating characterised by the article coated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
  • B32B15/04—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
  • B32B15/08—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
  • B32B15/18—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising iron or steel
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
  • B32B15/20—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising aluminium or copper
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C24/00—Coating starting from inorganic powder
  • C23C24/02—Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of pressure only
  • C23C24/04—Impact or kinetic deposition of particles
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C26/00—Coating not provided for in groups C23C2/00 - C23C24/00
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C4/00—Coating by spraying the coating material in the molten state, e.g. by flame, plasma or electric discharge
  • C23C4/18—After-treatment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D1/00—Electroforming
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D1/00—Electroforming
  • C25D1/20—Separation of the formed objects from the electrodes with no destruction of said electrodes
  • C25D1/22—Separating compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D7/00—Electroplating characterised by the article coated
  • C25D7/08—Mirrors; Reflectors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/02—Noble metals
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/12—Copper
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/18—Titanium
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/22—Nickel or cobalt
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/24—Aluminium
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2311/00—Metals, their alloys or their compounds
  • B32B2311/30—Iron, e.g. steel
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2361/00—Phenoplast, aminoplast
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2363/00—Epoxy resins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2367/00—Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2377/00—Polyamides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2551/00—Optical elements
  • B32B2551/08—Mirrors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2603/00—Vanes, blades, propellers, rotors with blades
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
  • Y10T29/49888—Subsequently coating
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/31678—Of metal

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the metallic coating of composite materials, particularly, but not exclusively to the application of metallic coatings to resin-based composite materials and products made therefrom.
• Resin-based composites in particular fibre-reinforced resin composites have many known advantageous properties and characteristics that enable them and products made therefrom to find applications in very many diverse industries.
• the metallic coating is securely attached to the composite material. In certain applications, considerable shear forces may be experienced that would act to try to shear or tear the metallic coating from the composite. In the same or other applications, thermal stresses may be experienced that would tend to act to weaken the attachment of such a coating to a composite body.
• coating relates to a layer or other form that covers some or all of one or more surfaces.
• a method of securing a metallic coating- to a resin-based composite material comprising forming a keying structure on a metallic electroplated preform to provide a coating, bringing the coating and the composite material together and subjecting to conditions to cause the composite material and the keying structure to interlock.
• a method of manufacturing a composite comprising securing an electroplated preform to a curable composite material by providing a keying structure on the electroplated preform with which the curable composite material interlocks, particularly when cured.
• the keying structure is applied to the metallic electroplated preform, and is applied directly to be securely attached thereto.
• the keying structure is metallic and is preferably fused to the electroplated preform during formation.
• the keying structure may be built up on the preform and is preferably formed by spraying metallic material onto the metallic electroplated preform, preferably using a thermal spraying technique.
• the keying structure may be formed using one or more of High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) 1 Arc, plasma and/or cold spraying techniques.
• HVOF High Velocity Oxy Fuel
• the keying structure may comprise one or more of nickel-iron alloy, aluminium, aluminium alloy, invar, iron, steel, nickel, copper, titanium and alloys of any one or more of these.
• the keying structure is formed from material chosen to have a thermal expansion co-efficient equal to or similar to that of the composite material and preferably the electroplated preform. This will help to prevent de-lamination or weakening of the attachment between these during any thermal changes, which may occur during processing and/or use.
• the keying structure has a rough and preferably an at least partly open architecture, providing interstices within which resin from the composite material can locate to interlock and provide secure attachment.
• the electroplated preform is formed using conventional electroplating techniques.
• the preform may be formed directly on a tool, pattern or mould to conform to one or more surfaces thereof to a predetermined shape.
• a release agent may be applied to the tool, pattern or mould prior to electroplating to facilitate removal of the coating therefrom.
• the keying structure is preferably applied to the electroplated preform in situ on the tool, pattern or mould.
• the electroplated preform may be formed from one or more of nickel alloy, iron alloy, invar, copper, nickel, gold, chromium and alloys of any one or more of these.
• the composite material comprises a curable resinous material, which when subjected to appropriate conditions, such as elevated temperature and/or pressure conditions, migrates into the interstices of the keying structure wherein the resinous material is cured preferably to a non- flowable and preferably hard condition, to interlock and securely attach the coating to the composite material.
• the resinous material is preferably a thermoset resin or a blend of resins.
• the composite material may comprise a fibre-reinforced composite, comprising for example one or more of glass, aramid, carbon, Kevlar, natural fibres, ceramic and any other suitable reinforcing fibres.
• the composite material may comprise a prepreg or composite preform of any known type and conformation and may be in the form of a single layer or multi-layer laminate.
• a composite comprising a composite material with a metallic coating on a surface or part surface thereof, the composite being formed as described in any of the preceding thirteen paragraphs.
• a composite comprising a resinous composite material with a metallic coating on a surface or a part-surface thereof, the metallic coating comprising an outer preform formed by electroplating and a keying structure on the electroplated layer with which the composite material engages.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a method according to the present invention
• Fig. 2 is an optical microscope cross-sectional image of a composite according to the present invention.
• Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the area III of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a composite according to the present invention.
• Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the composite of Fig. 4 during cure on a tool.
• This invention relates to methods of providing a metallic coating or surface on a resin based composite material, methods of forming composites, and composites and other products formed therefrom.
• a method of manufacturing a composite and of securing a metallic coating to a resin-based composite material comprising the provision a keying structure on a metallic electroplated preform and bringing the keying structure and the composite material together under conditions to cause the composite material and the keying structure to interlock.
• the invention also provides a composite 10 (see particularly Fig. 4) comprising a resin-based composite material 12 with a metallic coating 14 on a surface, or part surface 16 thereof, the metallic coating 14 comprising an outer electroplated preform, in this embodiment in the form of a layer 18, and an inner keying structure 20 which is located generally between said electroplated preform 18 and the composite material 12 to provide attachment of the electroplated preform 18 on the composite material 12.
• the invention also provides a composite having a metallic coating 14, formed as described herein in accordance with the methodology of the present invention.
• thermoset resin-based composite materials comprising a resin or a blend of resins which set to a non-flowable, generally hard state following cure.
• resins which set to a non-flowable, generally hard state following cure.
• resins include, but are not limited to any one or more of epoxy phenol novolacs, epoxy novolacs, epoxy cresol novolacs, epoxys, bisphenol A epoxy resins, bisphenol F epoxy resins, multifunctional resins, multifunctional epoxy resins, phenolics, cyanate esters, BMIs, polyesters.
• Thermoplastic materials may be used.
• Such resinous materials particularly when reinforced with reinforcing fibrous materials, such as glass, aramid, Kevlar and/or carbon, have well understood and documented properties and characteristics that provide particular advantages and beneficial application in certain industries.
• Other fibres can of course be used within the scope of the present invention.
• the electroplated preform or layer 18 is first of all formed using known electroplating techniques. It will often be the case that the electroplate layer 18 will form the working surface of the composite 10, whether as the finished surface of a product or component, or as a mould or tool surface when the composite 10 is to be used as a mould or tool on which other products will be formed.
• the electroplated layer 18 is preferably formed directly on a machined or otherwise accurately profiled surface(s) 19 of a tool or pattern (as shown in Fig. 5 - and as will be described later), and so will conform accurately to the desired profile, with little or no inherent porosity.
• Electroplating is also a relatively mild process not requiring high temperature or other conditions that could detrimentally affect tool or patterns made themselves of composite materials or other temperature sensitive or relatively soft materials.
• a release agent may be applied to the surface of the mould or tool prior to electroplating, to facilitate subsequent removal of the composite as described hereinafter.
• the keying structure 20 is formed on the side of the electroplated layer to which the composite material 12 will be secured.
• the keying structure 20 is applied to the electroplated layer 18 by the thermal spraying of metallic material directly onto the electroplated layer 18.
• HVOF High Velocity Oxy Fuel
• Arc Arc
• plasma cold spray techniques
• High Velocity Oxy Fuel involves heating a metal powder in a high temperature gas stream resulting in the production of molten or metallic droplets which are sprayed on to the electroplate surface.
• Arc spraying involves heating a metal wire between two electrodes and the molten droplets accelerated onto the surface.
• High Velocity Oxy Fuel generally gives a denser coating with finer droplets than Arc spraying, but Arc spraying can lay down more material more quickly and is generally a lower temperature process.
• the resin based composite material 12 can be laminated directly on to the exposed, rough surface of the keying layer 20.
• the composite material 12 can take the form of any known resinous composite material, and most particularly thermoset resin based materials.
• the material can be a fibre reinforced material, prepregs, preforms, laminates etc.
• the composite material 12 is applied in an uncured or partially cured condition.
• the material 12, once appropriately laminated onto the keying structure 20 is then subjected to conditions to cure or partially cure the material on the metallic coating 14.
• Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic cross-section of a composite 10, located on a tool 24, beneath a vacuum bag arrangement 26, according to known techniques of curing and consolidating resin-based composite materials.
• Elevated temperature conditions may be provided, again according to known techniques.
• resin therefrom moves to accommodate some, and preferably most if not all of the voids and interstices of the keying structure 20.
• the resin becomes less viscous and as a consequence has a natural tendency to move to accommodate these voids and interstices.
• the application of pressure using for example the vacuum bag technique as shown in Fig. 5, or other external influences will also help to force or move resin into the interstices and voids of the keying structure 20.
• the resin sets, at least sufficiently, to key the composite material to the metallic coating 14, to provide secure attachment.
• Figs. 2 and 3 are electron microscope cross-sectional images of a composite formed according to the present invention.
• the relatively smooth, dense, non-porous nature of the electroplated layer 18 can clearly be seen, on the inner surface of which can be seen the keying structure 20 fused thereto.
• the interstices and voids can be seen with resin from the resinous prepreg, (which in this case is reinforced with carbon fibres (30)) located therein.
• the resin in the structure 20 is cured and is hard and non- flowable, thus providing interlocking and a mechanical bond between, the resin based composite material and the metallic coating 14.
• the 22 of the electroplated layer 18 is generally found to be of a high quality, but if appropriate this can be further processed, perhaps by way of polishing or machining, to the desired finish.
• the metallic coating and composite material may be bonded in situ on a tool, pattern or mould, they may be brought together away from the surface or tool on which the metallic coating was formed.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Metallurgy (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)
• Coating By Spraying Or Casting (AREA)
• Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
• Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)
• Chemically Coating (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (3)

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Citations (5)

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• 2006
  • 2006-12-14 GB GB0624906A patent/GB2444710B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-12-06 CN CN2007800464502A patent/CN101600817B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-12-06 BR BRPI0722048-0A2A patent/BRPI0722048A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-12-06 WO PCT/GB2007/004684 patent/WO2008071922A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-12-06 US US12/518,523 patent/US20100151262A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-12-06 CA CA 2672050 patent/CA2672050A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-12-06 EP EP20070858781 patent/EP2102388A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-12-06 JP JP2009540840A patent/JP5450086B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (5)

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