• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Invention Patent: "METAL SURFACE AND PROCESS FOR TREATING A METAL SURFACE". The present invention relates to a surface treatment for metal surfaces that can be used to create one or more desired effects, such as functional effects, tactile or cosmetic. In one embodiment, the treatment involves selectively masking a portion of the surface using a photolithographic process. The mask can protect the masked portion of the surface during subsequent treatment processes, such as texturing and anodizing. The mask can result in the creation of a surface that has contrasting effects. A pattern can be formed by contrasting effects in the form of a distinct graphic, such as a logo or text.
    公开号:BR112014011280B1
    申请号:R112014011280-0
    申请日:2012-09-27
    公开日:2021-02-23
    发明作者:Jody R. Akana；Peter Russell-Clarke；Masashige Tatebe
    申请人:Apple Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    BACKGROUND FIELD
    [001] The present invention relates to treatments for a metal surface of an article and an article with such a metal surface. BACKGROUND
    [002] Products in the commercial and consumer industries can be treated through numerous processes to create one or more desired surface effects, such as functional, tactile or cosmetic effects. An example of such a process is anodizing. Anodizing converts a portion of a metal surface to a metal oxide to create a layer of metal oxide. Anodized metal surfaces provide increased resistance against corrosion and wear and can also be used to achieve a desired cosmetic effect.
    [003] A surface can also be textured to make the surface rougher, to shape the surface, to remove surface contaminants, or other desired effects. Such texturing process can be achieved through one or more mechanical processes such as, by machining, brushing or abrasive blasting. Alternatively, a surface can be textured using a chemical process, such as chemical etching.
    [004] The effects of surface treatments can be of great importance. In consumer product industries, such as the electronics industry, visual aesthetics can be a decisive factor in the consumer's decision to purchase one product instead of another. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for new surface treatments, or combinations of surface treatments, to provide surfaces with the desired effects. BRIEF SUMMARY
    [005] In general terms, a metal surface of an article can be treated to create one or more desired effects, such as a functional, tactile or cosmetic effect. A method for treating the surface of an article may include forming a mask by selectively masking a portion of the surface using a photolithographic process. The mask covers a portion of the surface during subsequent treatment processes, such as texturing and anodizing, which results in a surface that has contrasting effects. For example, a pattern formed by contrasting effects can form a distinctive graphic, such as a logo or text.
    [006] The photolithographic process may include applying a photoresist to the surface. In one example, a portion of the photoresist is covered and an uncovered portion of the photoresist is exposed to light to develop the uncovered portion. The covered portion is left undeveloped. The undeveloped portion of the photoresist is then removed from the surface and the developed portion is heated to harden the photoresist to become a mask. The mask can be removed before or after subsequent treatment, such as texturing, anodizing, pigmentation, sealing and polishing to achieve a desired surface effect.
    [007] Additional features of the invention will be set out in the description below and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or can be learned through the practice of the invention. Both the foregoing general description and the detailed description below are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide additional explanations of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [008] The attached Figures, which are incorporated here, form a part of the specification and illustrate the exemplary modalities of the present invention. Along with the description, the Figures also serve to explain the principles and to allow a person skilled in the relevant technique (s) to make and use the exemplary modalities described here.
    [009] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to an embodiment of the present application.
    [0010] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a surface that has been treated, according to the process in Figure 1.
    [0011] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to an embodiment of the present application.
    [0012] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a surface that has been treated, according to the process in Figure 3.
    [0013] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to one embodiment of the present application.
    [0014] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to one embodiment of the present application.
    [0015] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to an embodiment of the present application.
    [0016] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a surface treatment process, according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    [0017] The following detailed description refers to the attached Figures, which illustrate the exemplary modalities. Other modalities are possible. Modifications can be made in the exemplary modalities described here without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting. The operation and behavior of the presented modalities are described with the understanding that modifications and variations can be covered by the scope of the present invention.
    [0018] Figure 1 is an elevated flow chart of an exemplary surface treatment process 10. Process 10 includes an action 12 for supplying an article that has a metal surface, such as a metal part that has a metal surface. Any of the processes described here can be applied to a wide range of metal parts that include, but are not limited to, housewares and kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans; automotive parts; sports equipment, such as bicycles; and for use with electronic components, such as housings or other components for laptop computers, housings and other components for portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers, media players and telephones and housings or other components for other electronic devices , such as desktop computers. In some embodiments, the process can be deployed in a housing for a media player or on a laptop computer produced by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California.
    [0019] Suitable metal surfaces include aluminum, titanium, tantalum, magnesium, niobium, stainless steel and the like. A metal part that includes a metal surface can be formed using a variety of techniques and can come in a variety of shapes and materials. For example, the metal part can be supplied as a preformed sheet. In another example, the metal part can be extruded, so that the metal part is formed in a desired shape. The extrusion can produce a desired shape of undetermined size, so that the material can subsequently be cut to a desired size. In one embodiment, the metal part can be molded using any suitable casting process, such as injected casting or permanent mold casting processes, among others. In one embodiment, the metal part can be formed from aluminum, such as extruded grade 6063 aluminum, for example. In some embodiments, the metal part is made of an aluminum-nickel or aluminum-nickel-magnesium foundry alloy or another suitable aluminum alloy for foundry. In some embodiments, the metal part may include a non-metallic substrate, such as plastic, with a metal surface layer attached thereto. The choice of any material described here can also be informed by mechanical properties, sensitivity to temperature, or any other apparent factor for a person who has common skill in the technique.
    [0020] Process 10 additionally includes an action 14 of applying a mask to a portion of the surface. In one embodiment, the mask can be applied using a photolithographic process to form a masked portion. In other embodiments, a mask can be applied using other methods, such as screen printing and pad printing, or by applying a preformed mask, such as a metal patch, a plastic tag, etc. Another portion of the surface may remain unmasked and form an unmasked portion. As described in more detail below, in the masked mode that uses a photolithographic process, a photoresist is applied to the surface. The photoresist can be an epoxy-based polymer. For example, the photoresist may be the SU-8 negative photoresist, which is produced by MicroChem Inc. of Newton, Massachusetts. A photoresist can be any other suitable positive or negative resistance. A portion of the photoresist is covered and the uncovered portion of the photoresist is exposed to a light source configured to make the photoresist both soluble and insoluble, as desired. The remaining soluble photoresist is removed from the surface. The resulting mask can serve to protect the surface portion during one or more subsequent actions, as described here, such as texturing, anodizing and polishing. This can cause two portions of the same surface to have different effects, such as functional, tactile or cosmetic effects.
    [0021] A portion of the photoresist is then covered using, for example, a photomask that has an opaque plate with holes or transparencies that are configured to allow light to pass in a defined pattern. In one embodiment, the holes or transparencies are configured to form a pattern, such as a logo or text on the surface. In one embodiment, a laser beam can be used to develop a specific portion of the photoresist without using a photomask.
    [0022] The surface is then exposed to a specific pattern of intense light to transform a portion of the photoresist into a mask. The light can be in the form of an ultraviolet laser, such as a deep ultraviolet light (DUV) laser. The undeveloped portion can then be removed using a photoresist developer solution, which contains, for example, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The remaining photoresist can then be subjected to strong cooking to solidify, so that it forms a mask on the surface. To give just one non-limiting example, the photoresist can be cooked from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes at a temperature of about 120 ° C to about 180 ° C. Such a process can serve to solidify the photoresist and improve the adhesion of the photoresist to the surface to make a durable mask suitable to fully or partially protect the masked surface during subsequent treatment processes.
    [0023] Process 10 additionally includes a surface texturing action 16. Action 16 may include performing a texturizing treatment on the surface to create a textured pattern across the unmasked portion of the surface. This can result in one or more functional, tactile, cosmetic, or other effects on the surface. In such a process, the unmasked surface can be textured to roughen the surface, to shape the surface, to remove surface contaminants, or other effects. For example, the texturing action can produce a desired tactile effect, reduce the appearance of small surface defects and / or reduce the appearance of fingerprints or smudges. Additionally, the texturing action can be used to create several small peaks and valleys. Such peaks and valleys can impart a sparkling effect to the surface, which can, in some cases, make the unmasked surface appear brighter.
    [0024] The thickness, like other properties of the mask, can be adjusted, so that the masked portion is not substantially affected after the texturing action or any other treatment actions described here. Alternatively, the mask can reduce the effects of any treatment actions on the underlying surface of the masked portion as compared to the unmasked portion of the surface. For example, the masked portion may produce less peaks and valleys after the texturing action 16 compared to the unmasked portion.
    [0025] The texturing process can be achieved through one or more mechanical processes, such as by machining, brushing, or by abrasive blasting. Abrasive blasting, for example, involves strongly propelling a flow of abrasive material, such as grit, sand, and / or glass, against the surface. In some embodiments, suitable iron or zirconia shot can be used to achieve a desired surface finish. Alternatively, the surface can be textured using a chemical process, such as chemical etching. Such a process may involve the use of a recording solution, such as an alkaline recording solution.
    [0026] The alkaline etching solution can be a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The concentration of the NaOH solution can vary from about 50 to about 60 g / l, from about 51 to about 59 g / l, from about 52 to about 58 g / l, from about 53 to about 57 g / l, or about 54 to about 56 g / l, or it can be about 55 g / l. The NaOH solution can have a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius. The surface can be exposed to the NaOH solution for a period of time that can vary from about 5 to about 30 seconds, from about 10 to about 25 seconds, or from about 15 to about 20 seconds. Such parameters are merely exemplary and may vary. Other alkaline etching solutions can be used, including, but not limited to, ammonium biofluoride (NH4F2).
    [0027] Process 10 additionally includes an action 17 of removing the mask from the metal surface. As an example, the mask can be removed from the surface with the application of a liquid resistance stripper, which can chemically change the resistance, so that it can no longer adhere to the surface. The mask can be removed before or after any treatment process described here to achieve a desired effect. For example, the mask can be removed before or after texturing, anodizing, pigmentation or polishing. The mask can be configured to be removed partially or completely without performing a separate removal action. For example, the mask can be configured to be removed partially or completely as a result of the texturing process itself. Likewise, the mask will be configured to be removed partially or completely during the anodizing or polishing processes.
    [0028] Process 10 additionally includes an action 18 of carrying out an anodizing process on the metal surface. Anodizing a metal surface converts a portion of the metal surface to a metal oxide, thereby creating a layer of metal oxide. Anodized metal surfaces can provide increased resistance against corrosion and wear and can also be used to achieve a cosmetic effect. For example, an oxide layer formed during the anodizing process can be used to facilitate the absorption of pigments or to facilitate metals to transmit a desired color to the anodized metal surface.
    [0029] An exemplary anodizing process includes placing the metal surface in an electrolytic bath that has a temperature in the range of about 18 to about 22 degrees Celsius. Hard anodizing can be accomplished by placing the metal surface in an electrolytic bath that has a temperature in the range of about 0 to about 5 degrees Celsius.
    [0030] In one embodiment, the anodizing action 18 can create a transparent effect on the metal surface. In such an embodiment, the metal surface can be placed in an electrolytic bath that has been optimized to increase the transparent effect of the oxide layer. The electrolytic bath can include sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in a concentration that has a range of about 150 to about 210 g / l, from about 160 to about 200 g / l, from about 170 to about 190 g / l, or about 180 g / l. The electrolytic bath can also include metal ions that are the same metal as the one that forms the metal surface. For example, the metal surface can be formed of aluminum, and the electrolytic bath can include aluminum ions, in a concentration of less than about 15 g / l or in a range of about 4 to about 10 g / l , from about 5 to about 9 g / l, or from about 6 to about 8 g / l, or it can be about 7 g / l. A current is passed through the solution to anodize the article. Anodizing can occur at a current density in the range of about 1.0 to about 2.0 amps per square decimeter. Anodizing can take a range of about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes, or about 35 to about 55 minutes, or about 40 to about 50 minutes, or it can be about 45 minutes . The thickness of the oxide layer can be controlled, in part, by the duration of the anodizing process.
    [0031] To achieve an oxide layer with a desired transparency, the thickness of the oxide layer can be in a range of about 10 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 11 to about 19 μm, or about from 12 μm to about 18 μm, or from about 13 to about 17 μm, or from about 14 μm to about 16 μm, or about 15 μm. Pores are formed in the oxide layer during the anodizing process, and in one embodiment they are separated by approximately 10 μm. The diameter of each pore can be in the range of 0.005 to about 0.05 μm, or from 0.01 to about 0.03 μm. The dimensions above are not intended to be limiting.
    [0032] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary article 20 treated according to process 10. Surface 22 includes a first portion 24 and a second portion 26 that exhibit different functional, tactile, cosmetic, or other effects. For example, in one embodiment, the first portion 24 can be the unmasked portion and can be treated through a texturing action 16 described here, and the second portion 26 can be the masked portion and should not be subjected to the texturing action 16 In another embodiment, the first portion 24 is the masked portion, and the second portion 26 is the unmasked portion.
    [0033] In another embodiment, the first portion 24 and the second portion 26 can be treated by different techniques. For example, as described here, one or more treatments can be repeated in one portion to achieve the desired contrasting effect. As another example, the first portion 24 can be subjected to abrasive blasting or chemical etching and the second portion 26 can be subjected to other texturizing treatments described here. Surface portions 24 and 26 can be treated to have different degrees of resistance against scratching or abrasion. For example, one technique may include standard anodizing on one portion of the surface and another technique may include hard anodizing on another portion of the surface. According to another example, a technique can polish a portion of the surface to a different surface roughness compared to another technique performed on another portion of the surface. The different patterns or visual effects on the surface 22 that are created may include, but are not limited to, stripes, dots, or the shape of a logo. In one embodiment, surface 22 includes a logo. In this example, the first portion 24 contains the logo and the second portion 26 does not contain the logo. In other embodiments, the difference in techniques can create the appearance of a logo or label, so that a separate logo or label does not need to be applied to the surface 22. In one embodiment, a first metal is deposited (through a process deposition of metal) within the pores of the oxide layer in the first portion of the article, and a second metal is deposited (through a process of metal deposition) into the pores of the oxide layer in the second portion of the article. The portion with the second mask may overlap or be entirely different from the surface portion to which the first mask was applied.
    [0034] In some embodiments, the action 14 of applying the mask to a portion of the surface can be repeated on the same or on the other portion of the surface 22 after a first surface treatment, according to process 10, or any other processes of surface treatment described here (for example, the processes described with respect to Figures. 1, 3, or 5 to 8) to achieve the functional, tactile, cosmetic, or other effects for the surface 22.
    [0035] Figure 3 is a high level flowchart of an exemplary surface treatment process 35. Process 35 includes the actions, described above, of supplying an article that has a metal surface 22 (action 12), of applying a mask to a portion of surface 22 using a photolithographic process (action 14), texturing surface 22 (action 16), removing the mask from surface 22 (action 17) and anodizing surface 22 ( action 18). The process 35 additionally includes an action 37 for applying a second mask to a surface portion 22.
    [0036] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary article 20 treated according to process 35. Surface 22 includes a first portion 24, a second portion 26, a third portion 27, and a fourth portion 29, each of which exhibits different functional effects , tactile, cosmetics or others. The third portion 27 and the fourth portion 29 can be formed, as described above, by performing a second masking process after a first mask is removed from the surface 22. The second masked portion (including the third portion 27 and the fourth portion 29 ) may partially overlap the first masked portion (including second portion 26 and fourth portion 29). This process can create four distinct portions of surface 22, each of which has a different functional, tactile, cosmetic, or other effect.
    [0037] Figure 5 is a high level flowchart of an exemplary surface treatment process 28. Process 28 includes the actions, described above, of supplying an article that has a metal surface 22 (action 12), applying a mask to a portion of surface 22 using a photolithographic process (action 14), texturing surface 22 (action 16) and anodizing surface 22 (action 18). Process 28 additionally includes a surface polishing action 30.
    [0038] The surface polishing action 30 can be performed using any suitable polishing methods, such as honing or rolling. This action can be performed manually or with the assistance of machines. In one embodiment, honing can be accomplished by polishing surface 22 with the use of a disc that has an abrasive surface. In one embodiment, the surface 22 can be polished by rolling, which involves placing the article on a rotating drum filled with a medium and then rotating the drum with the object inside it. The polishing action 30 can impart a smooth glassy appearance to the surface 22. For example, the polishing action 30 can include rolling the article in a drum for about 2 hours at a rotational speed of 140 RPM. In some embodiments, the volume of the drum may be about 60% filled and the medium may be crushed nutshell mixed with a cutting medium suspended in a lubricant, such as cream.
    [0039] In some embodiments, the polishing action 30 includes an automated honing process, which can be a multi-step process. An exemplary multistage process of automated honing can include four steps. In a first step, the surface can be burnished for about 17 seconds with a pleated sisal disc coated with an oil that has coarse particles of aluminum oxide suspended on it. In a second stage, the surface can be burnished in a direction transversal to the burnishing of the first stage by approximately 17 seconds with a pleated sisal disc coated with an oil that has coarse particles of aluminum oxide suspended on it. In a third step, the surface can be burnished for about 17 seconds with an unreinforced cotton disc coated with an oil that has finer aluminum oxide particles suspended in it than the coarse aluminum oxide particles used. in the first and second stage. In a fourth step, the surface can be for about 17 seconds with an oil-coated flannel disk that has finer aluminum oxide particles suspended in it than the aluminum oxide particles used from the first to the third steps. The type of abrasive particles, the size of the abrasive particles, the duration of the step and the material of the disc described above for each step, as well as the number of steps, are merely exemplary and may vary.
    [0040] The polishing action 30 may additionally, or alternatively, include the use of a chemical polishing solution. The chemical polishing solution can be an acidic solution. The acids that can be included in the solution include, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid (H3PO4), nitric acid (HNO3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and combinations thereof. The acid can be a phosphoric acid, a combination of phosphoric acid and nitric acid, a combination of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, or a combination of phosphoric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Other additives for the chemical polishing solution may include copper sulfate (CuSO4) and water. In one embodiment, an 85% phosphoric acid solution is maintained at a temperature of about 95 degrees Celsius. The processing time of the chemical polishing action can be adjusted, depending on the desired target brightness value. In one embodiment, the processing time can be in the range of about 40 seconds to about 60 seconds. In addition, the polishing action 30 can be performed using other methods that would result in a polishing of the surface to increase the gloss of the surface.
    [0041] In some embodiments, the polishing action 30 results in a high quality surface without orange peel, without ripples and without defects. All mold lines, impression marks, drawing marks, shock marks, cut marks, roughness, undulations and / or oil and grease are removed from the surface. In some embodiments, a similar polishing treatment can be performed before the anodizing action 18 described above.
    [0042] Figure 6 is a high level flowchart of an exemplary surface treatment process 32. Process 32 includes the actions, described above, of supplying an article that has a metal surface 22 (action 12), of applying a mask to a portion of surface 22 using a photolithographic process (action 14), texturing surface 22 (action 16) and anodizing surface 22 (action 18). The process 32 additionally includes a metal deposition action 34 within the pores of the oxide layer of the surface 22.
    [0043] As an example, process 32 may further include an action 38 of depositing a metal within the pores of the oxide layer formed during anodizing to transfer a desired color below the surface and within the pores of the coating layer. oxide. In one embodiment, after anodizing, article 20 is immersed in an electrolytic bath that includes a solution of metallic salt. For example, the metal salt can include a nickel, tin, cobalt, copper salt, or any other suitable metal. An alternating or direct current is then applied to the electrolytic bath, so that the metal ions in the salt leave the solution and settle as a metal at the base of the pores of the oxide layer. The deposited metal may be the same or different in color from the metal surface 22 or the oxide layer. The color combination can make the surface 22 a desired color. In one embodiment, the deposited metal fills less than half the volume of each pore.
    [0044] Figure 7 is a high level flowchart of an exemplary surface treatment process 36. Process 36 includes the actions, described above, of supplying an article that has a metal surface 22 (action 12), applying a mask to a portion of surface 22 using a photolithographic process (action 14), texturing surface 22 (action 16) and anodizing surface 22 (action 18). The process 36 additionally includes a pigmentation action 38 of the surface 22.
    [0045] By way of example, pigment action 38 of surface 22 may include dipping or immersing surface 22 or the entire article 20 in a pigment solution to transmit a color to surface 22. In one embodiment, the pigment can be absorbed into the pores of an oxide layer formed during the anodizing action 18. In some embodiments, the particle size of the pigment molecule is about 5 nm to about 60 nm, or about 15 nm at about 30 nm. The pigmentation action of the oxide layer may include pigmenting the oxide layer and / or any metals deposited in the pores of the oxide layer. In one embodiment, an organic pigment is used to pigment the oxide layer. A suitable inorganic pigment can be used to pigment the oxide layer. Any suitable combination of organic and inorganic pigments can be used. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment is different from the color of the metal deposited within the pores of the oxide layer.
    [0046] In one embodiment, the pigment can be kept at a temperature in the range of about 50 to about 55 degrees Celsius and can contain a stabilizer to control the pH of the pigment solution. A variety of colors can be achieved depending on a particular pigment composition, pigment concentration and / or pigmentation duration. A variety of colors for the surface can be achieved by varying the composition of the pigment, the concentration of the pigment and the duration of the pigmentation, based on the visualization and / or experiment. Color control can be achieved by measuring the surface with a spectrophotometer and comparing the value with an established standard.
    [0047] Figure 8 is a high level flowchart of an exemplary surface treatment process 40. Process 40 includes the actions, described above, of supplying an article that has a metal surface 22 (action 12), of applying a mask to a portion of surface 22 using a photolithographic process (action 14), texturing surface 22 (action 16), anodizing surface 22 (action 18) and pigmenting surface 22 (action 38 ). The process 40 additionally includes a sealing action 42 of the surface 22.
    [0048] As an example, the surface sealing action 42 may include sealing the pores of the oxide layer. This may include immersing the surface 22 in a sealing solution to seal the pores in the oxide layer. The sealing process may include placing the surface in a solution for an amount of time sufficient to create a sealing layer that seals the pores. The sealing solution can include, but is not limited to, nickel acetate. The sealing solution can be maintained at a temperature in the range of about 90 to about 95 degrees Celsius. The surface can be immersed in a solution for a period of at least 15 minutes. In some embodiments, the sealing is performed using hot water or steam to convert a portion of the oxide layer to its hydrated form. Such conversion allows the oxide layer to swell, thereby reducing the size of the pores.
    [0049] Additionally, any of the above methods can include one or more additional treatments on surface 22, such as rinsing, degreasing, deoxidizing, pigmentation, sealing, polishing, texturing, whitening or anodizing.
    [0050] It is noted that the actions discussed above, illustrated in the flowcharts of Figures 1, 3, and 5 to 8, are for illustrative purposes only and are merely exemplary. Not every action needs to be taken and additional actions can be included as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to create a surface 22 that has a desired effect. Actions can be rearranged as desired. For example, the polishing action 30 of the metal surface can be performed before or after the texturing action 16 as well as before or after the anodizing action 18. EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1
    [0051] In a prophetic example, a surface treatment process, according to one embodiment of the present application, is applied to an aluminum housing for a portable media player. The housing is first rinsed to remove any residue. A negative SU-8 photoresist is then uniformly applied to a surface of the housing. A portion of the photoresist is covered with a photomask that includes an opaque plate with holes that allow the light to pass in a pattern defined in the shape of a logo.
    [0052] The surface is then exposed to a beam of ultraviolet light to transform the soluble part of the uncovered portion into a photoresist development solution. The soluble photoresist is then removed using a photoresist-developing solution that contains sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The remaining photoresist is then heated at 150 ° C for 20 minutes to form a mask.
    [0053] After the mask has cooled, the housing is placed in a chemical etching solution containing NaOH for approximately 20 seconds. After such a process, the housing is removed from the solution and rinsed with clean water. After the chemical etching process, the mask is removed from the surface using a liquid-resistant paint stripper.
    [0054] The housing is then anodized to create an oxide layer. In this process, the housing is placed in an electrolytic bath that has a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius. A current that has a current density of about 1.5 amperes per square decimeter is passed between a cathode in the solution and the article to create an accumulation of aluminum oxide in the article. This process is carried out for approximately 40 minutes and can cause an oxide layer to be formed on the surface of a housing. After this process, the housing is removed from the bath and rinsed with clean water.
    [0055] The housing is then chemically polished by placing the article in an 85% phosphoric acid solution for about 40 seconds. After this process, the housing is rinsed with clean water and burnished for about 20 seconds with a pleated sisal disc coated with an oil that has coarse particles of aluminum oxide suspended in it.
    [0056] This example of a surface treatment process can be used to achieve the effects of surface 22 in Figure 2, for example, where portion 24 corresponds to one of the masked and unmasked portions and portion 26 corresponds to to the other portion between the unmasked and the masked.
    [0057] The above processes can provide a surface that has a desired effect, such as functional properties or cosmetic appearance (for example, a desired pattern). For example, in some embodiments, the processes can achieve corrosion resistance and can additionally provide a pattern on the surface formed by contrasting the effects. The processes described here also allow a wide variety of effects to be transmitted to a surface.
    [0058] The foregoing description of the specific modalities will reveal so fully the general nature of the invention, that others can, by applying knowledge covered by the skill in the technique, readily modify and / or adapt such modalities for various applications, without due experiments, without out of the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be encompassed by the meaning and range of equivalents of the revealed modalities, based on the teaching and guidance presented here. It should be understood that the phraseology or terminology here is for the purpose of description and not for limitation, so that the terminology or phraseology of this specification should be interpreted by the person skilled in the art in the light of the teachings and guidelines.
    [0059] Additionally, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary modalities described above, but should be defined only, according to the following claims and their equivalents.
    权利要求:
    Claims (9)
    [0001]
    1. Metallic article, characterized by the fact that it includes: a first surface portion (24) that has a first surface texture, wherein the first surface texture of the first surface portion (24) has a first formed oxide layer on it when anodizing the first surface portion (24) using a hard anodizing process; and a second surface portion (26) adjacent to the first surface portion (24), the second surface portion (26) having a second surface texture that is different from the first surface texture, wherein the second surface texture of the second surface portion (26) has a second oxide layer formed on it by anodizing the second surface portion (26) using a standard anodizing process, wherein the first oxide layer has a different abrasion resistance than the second layer of oxide.
    [0002]
    2. Metallic article according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first texture corresponds to a polished texture and the second texture corresponds to an abrasively blasted texture or a chemically etched texture.
    [0003]
    3. Metal article according to claim 3, characterized in that the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer are described as having a color that is different from the color of the first surface portion (24) and the second surface portion (26).
    [0004]
    4. Metallic article according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that at least one of the first oxide layer or the second oxide layer includes metal particles or dye particles deposited within pores defined by the first oxide layer of the second oxide layer.
    [0005]
    5. Metal article according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the metal comprises an aluminum alloy.
    [0006]
    6. Metal article according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the first oxide layer or the second oxide layer comprises a metal oxide layer.
    [0007]
    7. Metal article according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the first oxide layer or the second oxide layer comprises an aluminum oxide layer.
    [0008]
    8. Metallic article according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of the first surface portion (24) or the second surface portion (26) is in the form of stripes, dots, a logo or a text .
    [0009]
    9. Metallic article according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first oxide layer has greater abrasion resistance than the second oxide layer.
    类似技术:
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    EP2302106B1|2017-09-27|Anodization and polish surface treatment
    US9663869B2|2017-05-30|Anodization and plating surface treatments
    US9644283B2|2017-05-09|Laser texturizing and anodization surface treatment
    TWI444508B|2014-07-11|Method for manufacturing a metallic substrate with skidproof leather-like surface
    KR20100085702A|2010-07-29|Method on printing on the surface of treated aluminium material
    AU2014201145B2|2016-05-19|Anodization and polish surface treatment
    CN111254474A|2020-06-09|Material processing method
    WO2021154274A1|2021-08-05|Electronic device covers and/or enclosures
    TWI361736B|2012-04-11|Metallic housing and manufacturing method of the same
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    JP2015502458A|2015-01-22|
    WO2013095739A1|2013-06-27|
    JP6508943B2|2019-05-08|
    JP2020063513A|2020-04-23|
    EP2794965A4|2015-09-02|
    CN104011265A|2014-08-27|
    US9683305B2|2017-06-20|
    KR101637794B1|2016-07-20|
    AU2012355936A1|2014-04-24|
    KR20140098172A|2014-08-07|
    TWI448586B|2014-08-11|
    TW201326469A|2013-07-01|
    BR112014011280A2|2017-05-02|
    CN107653470A|2018-02-02|
    TWI506167B|2015-11-01|
    EP2794965B1|2019-04-24|
    JP6718857B2|2020-07-08|
    TW201437437A|2014-10-01|
    EP2794965A1|2014-10-29|
    JP2018087380A|2018-06-07|
    US20170253986A1|2017-09-07|
    US20130153428A1|2013-06-20|
    AU2012355936B2|2016-03-17|
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    法律状态:
    2018-03-27| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2019-08-20| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2020-09-15| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application according art. 36 industrial patent law|
    2020-12-29| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2021-02-23| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 27/09/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/332,288|2011-12-20|
    US13/332,288|US9683305B2|2011-12-20|2011-12-20|Metal surface and process for treating a metal surface|
    PCT/US2012/057632|WO2013095739A1|2011-12-20|2012-09-27|Metal surface and process for treating a metal surface|
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