Abstract: A mixing valve comprising a modular cartridge non-rotatably mounted in a housing. The cartridge includes inlet passages in its bottom portion, outlet passages in its top portion, and a pressure balance valve intermediate and in communication with said inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passages are in communication at their downstream ends with supply ports in the housing. The outlet passages are in communication at their upstream ends with a volume and temperature control valve plate. The volume and temperature control valve plate is rotatable to align or misalign outlet apertures in said plate with the outlet passages in the cartridge. The rotation of the plate is controlled by a stem attached to a handle. Means are provided to adjust the maximum water temperature. The temperature adjustment means include an orienting stem ring having an opening shaped to receive a complementary shaped section of the stem.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium strike layer deposited on the nickel layer, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the palladium strike layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.