公开(公告)号：US12151453B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-26

申请号：US17654566

申请日：2022-03-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Isabel Yang ,  Todd S. Mintz

IPC: B32B15/20 ,  B32B7/12 ,  C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/08 ,  H04M1/02

Abstract: A component for an electronic device can include a part including a first metal and a second metal diffusion bonded to the first metal. The first metal can be aluminum and the second metal can be different from the first metal. A porous aluminum oxide layer can overlie a portion of the first metal and can be disposed adjacent to an interface between the first metal and the second metal. The component can further include a non-metallic material bonded to the part and extending into pores defined by the porous aluminum oxide layer.

公开(公告)号：US20240326383A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-03

申请号：US18670718

申请日：2024-05-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Isabel Yang ,  Todd S. Mintz

IPC: B32B15/20 ,  B32B7/12 ,  C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/08 ,  H04M1/02

CPC classification number: B32B15/20 ,  B32B7/12 ,  C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/08 ,  H04M1/0249 ,  H04M1/026 ,  B32B2255/06 ,  B32B2255/20

Abstract: A component for an electronic device can include a part including a first metal and a second metal diffusion bonded to the first metal. The first metal can be aluminum and the second metal can be different from the first metal. A porous aluminum oxide layer can overlie a portion of the first metal and can be disposed adjacent to an interface between the first metal and the second metal. The component can further include a non-metallic material bonded to the part and extending into pores defined by the porous aluminum oxide layer.

公开(公告)号：US20230227947A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-20

申请号：US18082980

申请日：2022-12-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Herng-Jeng Jou ,  Isabel Yang ,  Sonja R. Postak ,  Tyler J. Harrington ,  James A. Curran ,  Todd S. Mintz ,  Abhijeet Misra

IPC: C22C21/10 ,  C22C1/02 ,  C22F1/053

CPC classification number: C22C21/10 ,  C22C1/02 ,  C22F1/053

Abstract: The disclosure provides aluminum alloys having varying ranges of alloying elements and properties.

公开(公告)号：US11268188B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-08

申请号：US16519288

申请日：2019-07-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brian S. Tryon ,  Alexander W. Williams ,  James A. Curran ,  Sonja R. Postak

IPC: B32B15/20 ,  C23C14/58 ,  B32B15/04 ,  C23C14/20 ,  C23C14/18 ,  C23C14/06 ,  C23C14/14 ,  C23C28/00 ,  C23C14/00 ,  B32B18/00 ,  C23C14/08

Abstract: A method of forming a surface coating on a component of an electronic device can include depositing an aluminum layer including at least about 0.05 weight percent (wt %) of a grain refiner on a surface of the component by a physical vapor deposition process, and anodizing the aluminum layer to form an anodized aluminum oxide layer having a L* value greater than about 85 in the CIELAB color space.

公开(公告)号：US20200383224A1

公开(公告)日：2020-12-03

申请号：US16866248

申请日：2020-05-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Aaron D. Paterson ,  Sonja R. Postak

IPC: H05K5/04 ,  C25D11/14 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25D11/16

Abstract: This application relates to an anodized part. The anodized part includes a metal substrate and an anodized layer overlaying and formed from the metal substrate. The anodized layer includes (i) an external surface that includes randomly distributed light-absorbing features that are capable of absorbing visible light incident upon the external surface, and (ii) pores defined by pore walls, where color particles are infused within the pores. The anodized layer is characterized as having a color having an L* value using a CIE L*a*b* color space that is less than 10.

公开(公告)号：US10351966B2

公开(公告)日：2019-07-16

申请号：US15054004

申请日：2016-02-25

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  William D. Burke

IPC: C25D11/20 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25F1/00 ,  C25D11/02 ,  H04M1/02

Abstract: Processes for cleaning anodic film pore structures are described. The processes employ methods for gas generation within the pores to flush out contamination within the anodic film. The pore cleaning processes can eliminate cosmetic defects related to anodic pore contamination during the manufacturing process. For example, an anodic film that is adjacent to a polymer piece can experience contamination originating from a gap between the anodic film and polymer piece, which can inhibit colorant uptake of the anodic film in areas proximate the polymer piece. In some cases, an alternating current anodizing process or a separate operation of cathodic polarization is implemented to generate hydrogen gas that bubbles out of the pores, forcing the contaminates out of the anodic film.

公开(公告)号：US09869623B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-16

申请号：US14678881

申请日：2015-04-03

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Eric W. Hamann ,  William A. Counts ,  James A. Curran

IPC: G01N3/48 ,  G01N19/04 ,  G01N3/42

CPC classification number: G01N3/48 ,  G01N3/42 ,  G01N19/04 ,  G01N2203/0286

Abstract: This disclosure relates to rapid and repeatable tests that can be used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion of coatings to substrates. In particular embodiments, tests are used to assess the resistance of anodic oxides to delamination from aluminum substrates. The tests can be conducted using standard hardness test equipment such as a Vickers indenter, and yield more controlled, repeatable results than a large sample of life-cycle tests such as rock tumble tests. In particular embodiments, the tests involve forming an array of multiple indentations within the substrate such that stressed regions where the coating will likely delaminate are formed and evaluated.

公开(公告)号：US20170088917A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-30

申请号：US14927225

申请日：2015-10-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  William A. Counts ,  Abhijeet Misra

IPC: C22C1/06 ,  C25D11/06 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C25D11/16

CPC classification number: C22C1/06 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C25D11/06 ,  C25D11/14 ,  C25D11/16 ,  C25D11/243

Abstract: Micro additions of certain elements such as zirconium or titanium are added to high strength aluminum alloys to counter discoloring effects of other micro-alloying elements when the high strength alloys are anodized. The other micro-alloying elements are added to increase the adhesion of an anodic film to the aluminum alloy substrate. However, these micro-alloying elements can also cause slight discoloration, such as a yellowing, of the anodic film. Such micro-alloying elements that can cause discoloration can include copper, manganese, iron and silver. The micro additions of additional elements, such as one or more of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium, tungsten, vanadium, niobium and tantalum, can dilute the discoloration of the micro-alloying elements. The resulting anodic films are substantially colorless.

公开(公告)号：US20170051426A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-23

申请号：US14830699

申请日：2015-08-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  William A. Counts ,  Brian M. Gable

IPC: C25D11/04 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C25D9/06

CPC classification number: C25D11/04 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C25D9/06

Abstract: Methods of forming anodic oxide coatings on certain high strength aluminum alloys are described. Methods involve preventing or reducing the formation of interface-weakening species, such as zinc-sulfur compounds, at an interface between an anodic oxide coating and underlying aluminum alloy substrate during anodizing. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element is added in very small amounts to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent enrichment of zinc at the anodic oxide and substrate interface, thereby reducing or preventing formation of the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species. In some embodiments, a sulfur-scavenging species is added to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent sulfur from a sulfuric acid anodizing bath from binding with zinc and forming the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species at the anodic oxide and substrate interface. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element and a sulfur-scavenging species are added to an aluminum alloy substrate. Resultant anodic oxide coatings have minimal or no discoloration.

Abstract translation: 描述了在某些高强度铝合金上形成阳极氧化物涂层的方法。 方法包括在阳极氧化期间在阳极氧化物涂层和下面的铝合金基底之间的界面处防止或减少界面弱化物质如锌 - 硫化合物的形成。 在一些实施方案中，微合金元素以非常少的量添加到铝合金基底以防止锌在阳极氧化物和基底界面处的富集，从而减少或防止锌 - 硫界面弱化物质的形成。 在一些实施方案中，将硫清除物质加入到铝合金基底中以防止硫酸阳极氧化浴中的硫与锌结合并在阳极氧化物和基底界面处形成锌 - 硫界面弱化物质。 在一些实施方案中，将微合金元素和除硫物质加入到铝合金基底中。 所得的阳极氧化物涂层具有最小或无变色。

公开(公告)号：US09359686B1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-07

申请号：US14593845

申请日：2015-01-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  William A. Counts ,  Eric W. Hamann

IPC: C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/18

CPC classification number: C25D11/08 ,  C22C21/00 ,  C22C21/08 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C22C21/14 ,  C22C21/16 ,  C22C21/18 ,  C22F1/047 ,  C22F1/053 ,  C22F1/057 ,  C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/18 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25D11/243 ,  C25D11/246

Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.

Abstract translation: 公开了阳极氧化物涂层和在金属合金基底上形成阳极氧化物涂层的方法。 方法包括后阳极氧化方法，其改善阳极氧化物涂层的外观或增加下面的金属合金基材的强度。 在一些实施方案中，扩散促进方法用于促进富集在阳极氧化物涂层和金属合金基底之间的界面处远离界面的一种或多种类型的合金元素的扩散。 扩散促进过程可以增加阳极氧化膜对金属合金基底的粘合强度，并减少由于富集的合金元素引起的变色量。 在一些实施例中，使用后阳极氧化时代硬化工艺来增加金属合金基底的强度并改善阳极氧化物涂层的化妆品。