DE102016003173A1 - Process for producing galvanically coated components with brushing optics and corresponding haptic property - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a galvanically coated structured surface (1) with brush optics, comprising the following method steps: a) producing a base body (2) made of an electrodepositable material having a haptic brush structure (3); b) coating the brush structure (3) of the base body (2) with a thin-layered metal layer (4) c) generating a uniform brushing optics (5) by local heating of the thin-layered metal layer (4) by means of laser.

Description

The present invention relates to a method having the features of claim 1.

Brushed metal surfaces are very popular in the automotive industry. They are part of a design that makes surfaces look higher-quality. Besides the appearance, the feel also plays a decisive role. The properties of these surfaces are described by the terms "brushing optics" and "brushing feel".

Galvanized chrome surfaces can basically be provided with brushing optics by means of a cutting process, grinding / brushing. This is especially true for typical decorative chrome surfaces with layer thicknesses in the range of 10-70 microns. In the case of three-dimensional free-form surfaces, machining processes are pushed to their limits, because, in contrast to a flat surface, raised protruding areas are removed more strongly on the surface. The result is that at these points the chromium layer is no longer intact, d. H. is removed to the underlying nickel layer, the corrosion properties are no longer present and the so-called nickel permeability exceeds the allowable limit. In addition, due to the visible nickel layer clearly shows a different color from the chrome surface.

The Utility Model DE 20 2013 008 776 U1 describes a process in which a substantially reinforced nickel layer electrodeposited on a component having a three-dimensional surface is brushed, in order subsequently to be coated with the chromium layer thickness required in the conventional manner. The finished chrome surface shows the underlying matting very clearly. A disadvantage of the method is that it requires the interruption of the galvanic process, which generates a greater production cost and can lead to the increase of the Committee.

In addition, a slight leveling in the brush surface makes itself visually and haptically disadvantageous.

For injection-molded and then galvanically metallized plastic components, there is also the approach to bring a grain of a negative brush structure in the mold surface of the injection molding tool. This structure forms positively on the components after injection molding. However, as a rule, the subsequent electrolytic metallization shows flattening effects which are intensified by physically given, different current densities within the surface of the electroplating racks, which overall leads to different precipitating structural views on a product carrier.

DE 20 2015 001 879 U1 discloses a laser machining, z. B. a galvanically generated metal surface is patterned by laser ablation. Typically, ablation of a chromium layer results in direct corrosion in the remaining electroplated layer system, and also, as in the first-described chipping / brushing method, overshoots the allowable values in the hand weld test (nickel permeability).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing galvanically coated components with brush optics and Bürsthaptik, which is simple and inexpensive to carry out.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

• a) Fertigen eines Grundkörpers aus vorzugsweise einem galvanisierbaren Material mit einer haptischen Bürststruktur;
• b) Galvanisches Beschichten oder Plasmabeschichten der Bürststruktur des Grundkörpers mit einer dünnschichtigen Metallschicht
• c) Erzeugen einer matten Optik im Bereich der Bürststruktur durch lokale Erwärmung der dünnschichtigen Metallschicht mittels Laser mit einer einem vorgegebenen Farbeindruck passend eingestellten thermischen Einwirkung.

Accordingly, a galvanically coated, structured surface with brush optics, with the following process steps is produced:

• a) producing a base body of preferably a galvanisable material having a haptic brush structure;
• b) Galvanic coating or plasma coating of the brush structure of the base body with a thin-layered metal layer
• c) producing a matte look in the area of the brush structure by local heating of the thin-layer metal layer by means of a laser with a predetermined color impression suitably set thermal action.

Preferably, the thin-film metal layer is multi-layered. The thin-layer metal layer preferably has a chrome surface or a chromium alloy surface. It may be advantageous if the thin-layer metal layer has a galvanically deposited matt nickel layer under the chrome surface. Preferably, the base body is a ground or brushed metal component. The main body can also be an injection-molded plastic component. It is preferred if the base body is made of a galvanisable plastic, preferably made of ABS, PC-ABS or a PA-type. Furthermore, it is preferred if, during the production of the brushing optics, the thin-layered metal layer is placed outside the focal point of the laser in the expanded laser beam. The laser is preferably a diode-pumped solid-state laser that emits infrared radiation. It can furthermore be provided that, after method step b), the thin-layer metal layer is processed by roughening in the region of the brush structure.

The object is also achieved by operating, decor or display elements with brush optics and brushing, made after the previously cited methods and metallic surfaces with brush optics and Bürsthaptik, comprising a base body made of a galvanisable material having a haptic brush structure, and on the body electrodeposited thin-layer metal layer, the thin-layer metal layer having an oxide layer with a targeted inhomogeneous layer thickness, and wherein the oxide layer so is formed, that results in a brushing optics.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Show it:

1 FIG. 2: a plan view of a surface of a component according to the invention with brushing optics and brushing haptics, FIG.

2 FIG. 2: a side view of a component with a grain or brushing applied to a surface, FIG.

3 : a side view of the component 2 with a galvanically deposited chrome layer, as well

4 : a side view of the component 3 with an oxide layer thermally generated by laser.

This in 1 shown component has a plated chromium layer 1 on both a tactile and a visually brushed surface 1 equivalent.

First, a structure is produced by means of shape structuring in an injection molding tool on an injection-molded plastic component.

The brush graining 3 can be configured as desired. Preferably, it is worked longitudinally or circularly.

This in 2 The structure shown produces a brushing feel 3 ,

It may alternatively be provided, a ground or brushed metal component with a structured surface as the base body 2 to use for the component.

In a second step, this component is galvanically coated with a metallic layer system whose surface last z. B. a chrome layer 4 or a layer based on a chromium alloy 4 having.

3 shows the z. B. a chromium layer coated structure. In this case, as described above, layer thickness fluctuations can lead to different optical impressions of the structure surface.

This deficiency is compensated by a subsequent laser processing of the surface. By means of a controlled laser beam, heat is partially introduced into the chromium layer, whereby, due to diffusing oxygen, a very thin oxide layer in the nanometer range is formed. The thickness of the oxide layer increases, depending on the operating temperature and the associated diffusion depth of the oxygen. It varies, according to the desired color values, in the nanometer range.

By increasing the thickness of the oxide layer on the chrome surface, so-called tarnishing paints are formed. For example, when iron is heated to a temperature around 330 ° C, a metallic gray hue is generated. As with iron, it is also possible in accordance with the requirements galvanized or chrome-plated plastic components to produce such hues by means of a laser beam. Preferably, the laser machining is carried out in air.

The color impression of the tarnish arises from the interference of the light due to refraction and light reflection through the upper and lower boundary surface of the oxide layer.

The applied by laser on the chromium surface energy does not lead to an ablation, but by the local material heating only to a structural change in the chromium layer. For this purpose, the laser is preferably used outside its focal point, in the expanded laser beam (defocus area).

Preferably, it is diode-pumped solid state lasers in the wavelength range of 1064 nm, the power and focus depth of which results from the properties of the respective component. Here are z. As the layer composition, the coating thickness and thermal conductivity essential factors.

A mandatory specification for a specific focus diameter does not arise here. Rather, a smaller focus diameter means a longer processing time for a surface. Thus, depending on the power of the laser system, focus diameters between 20 μm and 200 μm can be used.

By means of appropriate control of the laser can be so sharply demarcated areas on the surface produce the color of a matte similar in color, in conjunction with the metallized structure on the component visually the impression a brushed surface 1 without evaporating the metal and changing the corrosion properties.

Depending on the desired intensity of the brush impression 5 It may also be necessary that the chrome surface already has a specifically set matting.

This can be produced by various types of production or post-processing. For example, by a matt nickel layer deposited galvanically under the chromium or by roughening after metallization, for example by fine blasting with glass beads.

The method according to the invention for the production of electroplated components with uniform brushing optics and brushing feel has a structured surface in which the image of an optically uniform brushing surface is produced by means of a color change corresponding to matting. This results in a metallic surface that corresponds optically and haptically to a uniformly ground / brushed surface. The method is particularly simple and inexpensive to perform by the galvanic process downstream laser processing, the corrosion properties of the component are not adversely affected.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202013008776 U1 [0004]
• DE 202015001879 U1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Process for producing a galvanically coated, structured surface ( 1 ) with brush optics, with the following process steps: a) Finishing a basic body ( 2 ) with a haptic brush structure ( 3 ); b) Galvanic coating or plasma coating of the brush structure ( 3 ) of the basic body ( 2 ) with a thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) characterized by the method steps: c) producing a matte appearance ( 5 ) in the area of the brush structure ( 3 ) by local heating of the thin-layer metal layer by means of laser with a predetermined color impression suitably set thermal action. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) is multilayered. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) has a chrome surface. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) has a chromium alloy surface. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) has an electrodeposited matt nickel layer under the chrome surface. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) is a ground or brushed metal component. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) is an injection molded plastic component. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) is made of a galvanisable plastic, preferably made of ABS, PC-ABS or a PA-type. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the production of the brushing optics ( 5 ) the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) is placed outside the focal point of the laser in the expanded laser beam. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser is a diode-pumped solid-state laser. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the process step 1b) in the region of the brush structure ( 3 ) an editing. the thin-layered metal layer ( 4 ) by roughening. Operating, decorative or display element with brush optics and brushing, produced by a method according to one of the preceding claims. Metallic surface with brush optics and brushing feel, comprising a base body ( 2 ) of a galvanizable material with a haptic brush structure, and one on the base body ( 2 ) electrodeposited thin-layer metal layer ( 4 ), characterized in that the thin layer metal layer ( 4 ) an oxide layer ( 5 ) having a specifically inhomogeneous layer thickness, wherein the oxide layer is formed so as to result in a brushing optics.

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