Location History:
- Kanagawa-ken, JP (2002)
- Yokohama, JP (2002 - 2004)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2002-2004
Title: Innovations of Hiroki Tonai
Introduction
Hiroki Tonai is a notable inventor based in Yokohama, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the development of advanced ceramic materials. With a total of three patents to his name, Tonai's work focuses on enhancing the performance and durability of wear-resistant components.
Latest Patents
One of Tonai's latest patents is for a silicon nitride wear-resistant member and method of manufacturing the member. This invention provides a silicon nitride wear-resistant member composed of a sintered body containing 1-10 mass % of rare earth elements as a sintering agent. The total oxygen content of the silicon nitride sintered body is 6 mass % or less, with a porosity of 0.5 vol. % or less. The maximum size of pores in the grain boundary phase is 0.3 µm or less. This innovative structure offers high strength, toughness, and excellent sliding characteristics.
Another significant patent by Tonai is related to the material for ceramic balls and the method of manufacturing these balls. The design features a spherical portion at both ends and a belt-like portion at the center. The difference between the diagonal diameter of the belt-like portion and the polar diameter of the spherical portion is 100 µm or less. This material is particularly suitable for bearing balls, with a Vickers hardness of 1400 or more, ensuring durability and performance.
Career Highlights
Hiroki Tonai is associated with Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, a leading company in technology and innovation. His work at Toshiba has allowed him to focus on developing advanced materials that meet the demands of modern engineering applications. His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the performance of various industrial components.
Collaborations
Tonai has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Michiyasu Komatsu and Hiroshi Komorita. These collaborations have fostered a creative environment that encourages innovation and the sharing of ideas.
Conclusion
Hiroki Tonai's contributions to the field of materials science through his innovative patents demonstrate his commitment to advancing technology. His work continues to influence the development of high-performance materials in various applications.