Apple has been granted a patent for a technology that could create smartphones
and tablets resistant to scratches and abrasion. This could lead to the
development of a new material combining metal and ceramic, offering enhanced
durability, scratch resistance, and electromagnetic shielding. This could
revolutionize the industry and improve the overall user experience.
The US Patent for “Spatial Composites” will describe the use of abrasion-resistant
materials in the iPhone Body (chassis) to increase durability. It explains that
different materials used in device construction offer various strengths, wear
resistance, and radiation shielding.
While a phone body (chassis) made of plastic would be durable but prone to
scratches and breakable, metal interferes with radio connectivity, and ceramics
do not have the same issue with radio signals but are not as durable as the other
two materials.
This Apple Patent aims to create a scratch-resistant material by mixing ceramics
and metal in a moldable matrix, with materials positioned 10-100 microns apart.
The best option for design engineers will be “Ceramic Matrix Composites” (CMCs)
to mix with metallic materials. Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are a subgroup
of composite materials and a subgroup of ceramics. They consist of ceramic fibers
embedded in a ceramic matrix. The fibers and the matrix both consist of ceramic
material, whereby carbon and carbon fibers can also be regarded as ceramic
materials. It’s possible for the ceramic fibers in CMCs to be polycrystalline.
Organic precursors that have been pyrolysis may also take on an irregular
chemical composition or become amorphous. CMCs cannot be produced using
organic, metallic, or glass fibers because of the high process temperatures
required. Only fibers composed of alumina, mullets, SiC, zirconia, or carbon that
have a melting point greater than 1,000 °C may be used. Amorphous SiC fibers
have a far greater elongation capacity than conventional ceramic materials. This
property of SiC fibers is due to the presence of additional elements in the majority
of SiC fibers, such as oxygen, titanium, and/or aluminum, which results in a tensile
strength greater than 3 GPa. Various three-dimensional fiber arrangements can
be accommodated. These improved elastic characteristics are necessary.
The Engine makers and Aerospace firms are keeping a careful eye on the need for
a barrier to protect the well-liked Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs). This is so
that the CMC can operate more effectively while being lighter than traditional
metallic materials. They are frequently made of porous material, which is only
marginally useful since it permits some beneficial penetration. In addition to
moisture-induced matrix, which is often present at a higher temperature, they
also experience additional deterioration, which commonly involves coating
interface oxidation. The degree to which CMC maintains its mechanical qualities
can be influenced by a variety of variables, including residual stresses, faults in the
coating process, and casting circumstances. These flaws, which can cause cracking
and other types of damage, are a result of inadequate energy absorption.
Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) provide a barrier to the CMCs to reduce
the amount of oxygen and other corrosive substances from diffusing through the
surface of CMC components which has the following advantage.
1) Relative coefficient match with CMC component to reduce the probability of
cracking.
2) Low volatility to minimize stead-induced corrosion/recession
3) Resistant to molten ingested particulate.
4) High-temperature capability.
5) Phase stability at temperature difference.
6) Chemical Compatibility with the CMC and additional layers.
7) High Hardness and toughness to protect against Foreign Object Damage (FOD)
and erosion.
Maybe, Apple can introduce this patent technology into any of its next iPhone
models. Users could be able to use their iPhones without a cover or case, which is
generally used to protect a smartphone from scratches and drops. It is the best
inclusion of a scratch-resistant substance on the back panel.
