Why are ceramic coated cookware prone to scratches? How to improve wear resistance?

Ceramic coated cookware is popular in modern kitchens because of its beautiful, durable and easy-to-clean features. However, many users have found that ceramic coated cookware is prone to scratches during use, which not only affects its appearance, but may also reduce its service life. So why are ceramic coated cookware prone to scratches? And how to improve its wear resistance?

Causes of scratches on ceramic coated cookware

1. Hardness difference: Although the hardness of the ceramic coating material is relatively high, microscopic scratches may still occur when it comes into contact with objects with higher hardness (such as metal spatulas, knives, etc.). Especially when the hardness of the metal utensils exceeds the hardness of the ceramic coating, scratches are more likely to occur.

2. Friction and wear: In daily use, ceramic coated cookware rubs against food, cleaning tools, etc., and long-term accumulation will cause wear of the coating, which will then cause scratches. This wear is particularly obvious during the cleaning process. If too rough cleaning tools or detergents containing abrasive particles are used, the wear of the coating will be accelerated.

3. Improper use: Improper use is also an important reason for scratches on ceramic coated cookware. For example, using a metal spatula to stir-fry food, putting a hot pan directly into cold water for cleaning, etc., may damage the coating.

Methods to improve the wear resistance of ceramic coated cookware

1. Choose the right coating material: Different ceramic coating materials have different wear resistance. When choosing ceramic coated cookware, you can give priority to products made of high hardness and high wear resistance materials. For example, ceramic materials such as alumina (Al₂O₃) and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) have excellent wear resistance and are suitable for making cookware coatings.

2. Optimize the coating process: The coating process also has an important influence on the wear resistance of the ceramic coating. By optimizing the process parameters such as spraying and deposition, such as temperature, speed, pressure, etc., the density and adhesion of the coating can be improved, thereby enhancing its wear resistance. In addition, the use of a multi-layer composite structure design to combine ceramic coatings with different properties can also comprehensively improve the wear resistance of the coating.

3. Adding wear-resistant additives: Adding wear-resistant additives such as nanoparticles and fibers to the ceramic coating can significantly improve the wear resistance of the coating. These additives can fill the microscopic pores and cracks in the coating, reduce friction and wear, and increase the hardness and toughness of the coating.

4. Surface modification: Surface modification of the ceramic coating, such as plasma spraying, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), etc., can form a more wear-resistant protective layer on the surface of the coating. This protective layer can resist external friction and wear and extend the service life of ceramic coated cookware.

5. Correct use and maintenance: In addition to the above technical means, the correct use and maintenance of ceramic coated cookware is also the key to improving its wear resistance. During use, avoid using hard objects such as metal spatulas to stir-fry food, and choose kitchen utensils made of soft materials such as wood or silicone. When cleaning, use mild detergents and soft cleaning tools, and avoid using rough tools such as steel wool. In addition, avoid putting hot pots directly into cold water to reduce thermal stress damage to the coating.

In summary, there are many reasons why ceramic coated cookware is scratched, but by selecting suitable coating materials, optimizing coating processes, adding wear-resistant additives, performing surface modification treatments, and using and maintaining them correctly, we can effectively improve their wear resistance and extend their service life. When choosing ceramic coated cookware, consumers can pay attention to the product's wear resistance performance indicators and user reviews to purchase more durable and beautiful products.