Abstract: A process for producing a high density magnetic storage device such as a rigid memory disc having improved magnetic recording properties including high coercivity, high remanence and improved hysteresis loop squareness. The device is prepared by initially cleaning the surface of a substrate, such as an aluminum disc, zincating that cleaned surface, when applicable electrolessly depositing a non-magnetic, nickel-phosphorus layer thereon which is substantially free of pits and other surface imperfections and which has a nickel content of from approximately 88 to 92 percent and a phosphorus content of from 12 to 8 percent, by weight. The non-magnetic, nickel-phosphorus layer is then polished and a magnetic, cobalt-phosphorus layer electrolessly deposited thereon. The cobalt-phosphorus deposition is performed in a highly stable, ammonia-free bath containing a source of cobalt ions, a source of hypophosphite ions, a source of citrate ions, and a low molecular weight, bath soluble amino acid.

Abstract: Polyalloy catalytic coating formulations are used for preparing a metallic substrate surface to enhance subsequent plating thereover of nickel, cobalt or polyalloys including nickel or cobalt. At the same time, these catalytic formulations can be rinsed subsequent to their application onto the substrate and prior to the electroless deposition thereover. Improved products such as printed wiring boards may be made with these catalytic formulations. Such boards are prepared by depositing metal and forming circuitry patterns by using resists, etching techniques and the like which typically leave copper specks on the non-conductive board.

Abstract: Electrical contact materials are provided which belong to the general category of copper that is overplated with a noble metal, usually gold. The improvement resides in the provision of an electroless nickel deposit laid down over the copper layer and under the gold layer, which electroless nickel deposit is laid down from a particular class of nickel-boron or nickel-phosphorus baths.

Abstract: Substrates, especially those having plated metal surfaces, are subjected to passivation treatments in baths that incorporate one or more film-forming agents at least one of which does not require chromium and includes anions or cations of elements other than chromium. Typically, the anions or cations are introduced as bath-soluble salts which react with the plated surface of the substrate to form an adherent, coherent passivation surface film. Also present within these baths are a source of hydrogen ions and a bath-soluble carboxylic acid or derivative activator for enhancing the rate of the passivation reaction. Articles passivated in baths incorporating these film-forming agents have a hydrophobic surface that exhibits corrosion resistance and that typically has a bright finish.

Abstract: Acid electroplating baths for bright zinc plating containing a zinc salt, ammonium chloride and bath additives which include a carrier component comprising an alkyl substituted ammonium propoxylate salt, preferably a trialkylammonium propoxylate salt, and a lower molecular weight alkyl substituted naphthalene sulfonic acid, or bath soluble salt thereof, in combination with other brighteners and grain refiners for providing bright, ductile, fine grained, adherent deposits over a broad current density range.

Abstract: The boron content of an electroless nickel-boron deposit is enhanced by including a source of zirconyl ions or vanadyl ions within a borane-reduced bath for laying down the nickel-boron deposit, which bath has a moderate temperature and pH. The deposit laid down has a boron content of at least about 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the deposit.

Abstract: Electroless, polymetallic nickel alloys containing an element of boron or phosphorus and one or more metals selected from tin, tungsten, molybdenum or copper which have unique properties and are produced as a plated deposit in an electroless nickel plating bath containing an ester complex of a polyhydric acid or alcohol such as the diboron ester of glucoheptonic acid.

Abstract: A container for a maintenance-free lead-acid storage battery includes a multi-compartment base wherein individual cells of the battery are contained. An overlying cover in vapor-sealed engagement with the base includes a plurality of integrally-molded filler wells which extend from a recess in the top surface of the cover into respective cell compartments of the battery. A one-piece molded vent cover seated within the recess includes a plurality of vent plug portions which extend through the filler wells into respective ones of the cell compartments. An annular flange associated with each filler well coacts with ribs on the vent plug portions to lock the vent cover in place.

Abstract: Substrates, especially those having plated metal surfaces, and subjected to passivation treatments in baths that incorporate one or more film-forming agents at least one of which does not require chromium and includes anions or cations of elements other than chromium. Typically, the anions or cations are introduced as bath-soluble salts which react with the plated surface of the substrate to form an adherent, coherent passivation surface film. Also present within these baths are a source of hydrogen ions and a bath-soluble carboxylic acid or derivative activator for enhancing the rate of the passivation reaction. Articles passivated in baths incorporating these film-forming agents have a hydrophobic surface that exhibits corrosion resistance and that typically has a bright finish.

Abstract: Polyalloy catalytic coating formulations are used for preparing a metallic substrate surface to enhance subsequent plating thereover of nickel, cobalt or polyalloys including nickel or cobalt. At the same time, these catalytic formulations can be rinsed subsequent to their application onto the substrate and prior to the electroless deposition thereover. Improved products such as printed wiring boards may be made with these catalytic formulations. Such boards are prepared by depositing metal and forming circuitry patterns by using resists, etching techniques and the like which typically leave copper specks on the non-conductive board.

Abstract: An alkaline, electroplating bath for bright zinc plating comprising a source of zinc ions and a bath soluble polymer containing repeating tertiaryaminoalkyl acrylamide groups or quaternary salts thereof. The bath is capable of producing bright, fine grained zinc deposits over a broad current density range both in the presence and absence of cyanides.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable coating over a diazo resin provides a high-speed lithographic plate or photoresist while improving the printing life of the plate while making its development simpler than that of most other photopolymer plates. The photopolymer is a cinnamoylated polyvinyl alcohol resin which is placed over a diazo based material.

Abstract: Electroless, polymetallic nickel alloys containing an element of boron or phosphorus and one or more metals selected from tin, tungsten, molybdenum or copper which have unique properties and are produced as a plated deposit in an electroless nickel plating bath containing an ester complex of polyhydric acid or alcohol such as the diboron ester of glucoheptonic acid.

Abstract: Transition metals form a plated deposit in an electroless transition metal plating bath containing an organophosphorus complexing agent selected from the class of compounds having the general formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkali metal and ammonium salts of said compounds, and ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is ##STR3## R.sub.3 is selected from the class consisting of R.sub.2 and --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, and R.sub.4 is selected from the group consistiong of R.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, and ##STR4## wherein each M is independently selected from the group consisting of H, NH, and alkali metal, and "n" is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusive. These baths have unique properties, including the ability to be formulated to have selected operating pH values within a wide pH range and the ability to operate effectively at the selected pH value.