At present, one of the most discussed topics about smart wearable devices is probably 5G applications. The application of new technologies cannot be achieved without breakthroughs and follow-up of basic materials, such as ceramic filters used in 5G base stations, CMCC used in high-speed in-vehicle networks, and anti-wear. Squeezed sapphire glass, etc., precision ceramics have great potential in electrical and structural applications in communications equipment. The impact of precision ceramics on the finished product, compared with the appearance of metal materials, such as aluminum-magnesium alloy frame, ceramics will not have the advantage of shielding the signal. The touch of warmth and near-skin, and the special national plot of ceramics made it more topical than engineering plastics. No wonder it has become a popular spicy chicken in the selection of new materials.
Reviewing the application history of precision ceramic appearance parts, Gionee launched the first astronomical notebook W808 with zirconia ceramic as the back panel of the mobile phone in 2014, and wrote "high hardness, corrosion resistance, never changing color, wear resistance than tempered glass. Good "slogan. In the same year, Huawei released an upgraded version of P7. The ceramic version of P7 upgraded the ordinary glass back cover. The following year, OnePlus followed up the application of the ceramic back cover, and praised the ceramic material with a large amount of copywriting: "From zircon sand to ceramic, it takes 25 days to transform … kneading, granulating … …. Let it and its partners quickly condense. Each condensing is the key incubation of ceramics … 800 ℃ constant temperature pre-firing, just the beginning of ceramics forming. 1480 ℃ high temperature forging, it is 28 hours Rise from the ashes……". Two years later, Xiaomi released the Xiaomi Mi 6 Premier Edition and MIX1, in collaboration with French industrial designer Mr. Stark (Note: Stark's best-known masterpiece is the JuicySalif rocket-shaped lemon juicer and the late Jobs Mr. Venus yacht.) Helped Xiaomi to reach the pinnacle of mobile phone shape design. It also symbolizes that the application of precision ceramics in the appearance of mobile phones has entered the era of 3D structure. In 2018, OPPO's R15 Dream Edition ceramic black and 2019 Samsung GalaxyS10 ceramic black limited edition, precision ceramic appearance parts have become standard equipment for high-end models.
The just-concluded 2019 Apple Autumn Conference proves this again. Precision Ceramics returns to the design list of the fifth-generation Apple Watch. The price of the Precision Ceramics case version has exceeded that of the titanium series, which is the same as the Hermes stainless steel case series. Consumers can customize the black ceramic case and Hermès strap to match the ultra-luxury combination to highlight the multi-gold temperament.
Material advantages of zirconia appearance parts
Zirconia ceramics have a high dielectric constant at room temperature and are non-conductive materials. They have little effect on microwave signals and micro-sensor signals, and do not form shields on signals. This is a direct advantage in functional applications.
After polishing technology, zirconia ceramics have a lower specific heat capacity, and their hands will feel warmer and warmer than jade, which is better than glass. It is the only high-end decorative material in gems in appearance decoration materials. Visually prominent aesthetics.
Zirconia ceramics have high hardness and wear resistance. Compared with plastic spraying, anode, and PVD, it overcomes the uncomfortable problems such as decoating, fading, and wear during use. Compared with other materials, it has obvious advantages in use.
Zirconia ceramics have good compatibility with human skin and will not cause allergies under daily long-term wearing conditions.
Zirconia is a material that has excellent comprehensive mechanical properties and can meet the requirements of civil standards at present. As a new material, its market life cycle is expected to be long.
According to the 2018 global smartwatch market survey report released by market research agency Strategy Analytics, global smartwatch shipments have reached a record high of 45 million units, an increase of 56% year-on-year. Smart watches have also become the largest smart device market outside the mobile phone market. In 2015, Huami Technology released the Amazfit Moon Frost / Equatorial Bracelet. The engineering team proposed a design of “safety buckle” around the creative use of ceramic materials. The ladies' version of Moon Frost takes jewellery bracelets as inspiration and uses the gloss of ceramics to realize pearl accessories Visual and tactile alternatives. The advertising copy once again used ceramics to replace alloy metals and engineering plastics as marketing entry points, highlighting the difficulty of subsequent processing of ceramic materials. "8-step forging", "19 processes", "120,000 polishings", "time-consuming 20 Days or more. " Achieving a balance between function, design, and fashion. Huami Technology, which has tasted the sweetness behind the resources of Xiaomi's supply chain, has successively released the first and second generation of Amazfit smart sports watches that are more suitable for volume. All are wear-resistant combinations of sapphire glass and ceramic bezels. This combination has also become a universal solution for digital wearable devices in recent years.
At present, the application of precision ceramics in the 3C market is mainly zirconia microcrystalline ceramics. Microcrystalline zirconium and sapphire (single crystal alumina) are gem-grade materials. Although the refractive index of about 2.18 is lower than diamond, it is much higher than common gems such as emerald, emerald, olivine, malachite and so on. The dispersion of about 0.06 has exceeded gemstones such as emerald, vermiculite, and gibbsite. It has ergonomic skin-friendly properties and is not easy to produce skin allergic reactions. Comfortable wearing and lubricating feel greatly enhance the consumer's sense of use. Many material indicators make precision ceramics more widely used in smart watch straps, bottom cover, decorative ring, case and so on. At the same time, with the 5G commercial leap forward, ceramic materials have extremely low shielding of signals, the dielectric constant is stable in the 5G frequency band, and the dielectric loss is small. Both functional and structural can meet the needs of mobile communications. Just recently, Japan's Kyocera Group and UBE signed a cooperation agreement to establish a joint venture company to produce ceramic filters for 5G base stations to jointly explore business opportunities for high-speed networks; Japan's Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. released a CMCC adapted to CAN FD to seize high-speed mobile networks for automobiles Market.
The component competition and appearance competition around 5G will enter the white-blade battle phase. And precision ceramics is an indispensable force for this battle. In the afternoon of September 24, 2019, the Xiaomi Autumn conference officially released the future concept mobile phone MIX α in the final link. The back of the Mix Alpha uses black zirconia precision ceramics as the center beam support to provide stress support for the 360 ° surround screen. The three cameras on the center beam use a whole piece of sapphire glass for lens protection. Titanium alloy materials with chin and chin create this sci-fi concept mobile phone that symbolizes the spirit of exploration. Just like the Bentley EXP 100GT to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bentley; the full use of bionics design, BMW Vision Next 100 and other concept models that the center console can "breathe" like an animal, Mr. Lei Jun, President of Xiaomi, said at the press conference: "Explore is to enter An uninhabited area, to go the road that others have not gone through. This road is doomed to be tortuous, destined to be bumpy, and even destined to have a great risk, destined to die a lifetime. It is this kind of exploration that will make breakthroughs in various technologies. Only by breaking through technological progress can we promote the development of the entire society. "