Abstract: An arc source filter is disposed between an arc cathode and a substrate in a vacuum arc deposition system. The filter includes a plurality of duct elements that surround the arc source. The duct elements have sufficient spatial dimensions to block particles. In addition, the duct elements have electrical and magnetic properties that are conducive for plasma transmission through the filter. On passing through the filter, the highly ionized arc plasma is essentially rid of particles making a source plasma for reacted as well as un-reacted coatings characterized by high density and near defect free quality. The design allows for flexibility in terms of filtering degree, length of coating zone as well as choice of arc source.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a base material, a strengthening layer provided above the base material, and an amorphous diamond material provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond material having a hardness that is at least 20 GPa and less than 45 GPa and a modulus that is at least 150 GPa and less than 400 GPa.

Abstract: A method for producing an article having a decorative coating includes depositing at least a first coating layer onto at least a portion of a substrate using a physical or chemical vapor deposition method in a vacuum chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure, the first coating layer comprising a first material having a first color. The method also includes patterning the first coating layer using a non-uniform patterning process to form a patterned coating layer having penetrations through which a portion of an underlying surface is visible, the underlying surface comprising a second material and having a second color that is visually contrasting to the first color. The patterned first coating layer comprises a decorative pattern comprising features distinguishable by an unaided human eye.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, the strengthening layer comprising tantalum. A layer including amorphous diamond is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond has sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: A wear resistant component for a faucet valve includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate. The strengthening layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, chromium, zirconium, and tungsten. The wear resistant component also includes a layer that includes amorphous diamond provided above the strengthening layer, the amorphous diamond having sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride. In another embodiment, the alternating layers of the color stack layer may comprise layers of carbon-rich refractory metal carbides or carbon-rich refractory metal alloy carbides alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal nitrides or nitrogen-rich refractory metal alloy nitrides.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating plasma includes a cathode having an evaporable surface configured to emit a material comprising plasma and macroparticles; oppositely directed output apertures configured to direct the plasma; a filter configured to transmit at least some of the plasma to the output apertures while preventing transmission of at least some of the macroparticles, the filter comprising at least one deflection electrode disposed generally parallel to and facing at least a portion of the evaporable surface; a first element for generating a first magnetic field component having a first polarity between the cathode and the at least one deflection electrode; and a second element for generating a second magnetic field component having a second polarity at the evaporable surface of the cathode that is opposite that of the first polarity such that a low-field region is created between the evaporable surface and the at least one deflection electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-step process for the coating of a substrate without re-racking the substrate between the coating operations comprising: providing a substrate holder with an inert protective polymeric coating covering a substantial portion of the holder; affixing a substrate to the substrate holder; electroplating a coating onto the substrate; without re-racking the substrate, applying a physical vapor deposition coating to the coated substrate; and removing the twice coated substrate from the substrate holder.

Abstract: An article is coated with a coating having a dark gray or bronze color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides. The preferred dark grey, oxygen rich color layer is zirconium oxycarbide. A refractory metal adhesion layer and a refractory metal oxide top coat layer also may be used.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having the appearance of brass, nickel and stainless steel. The coating comprises a nickel or polymer base coat on the surface of said article, a chromium layer and vapor deposited on the chromium layer, a refractory metal nitride or nitride and oxide, or refractory metal alloy nitride or nitride and oxide that mimic the colors of brass, nickel and stainless steel. An oxide-containing strike layer comprised of nano-sized refractory metal crystals and/or preferentially oriented refractory metal phase with the refractory oxide for precipitation hardening. A refractory oxide layer intermediate the refractory metal strike layer and the stack layer comprised of alternative layers of refractory metal, substoichiometric refractory nitride and stoichiometric refractory nitride. This intermediate oxide layer acts as a non-conductive barrier to improve corrosion and pitting resistance.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a decorative coating that comprises scandium nitride or other scandium-containing compounds such as scandium-alloy nitrides. Scandium nitride coatings have a color very similar to that of pure copper. Scandium-alloy nitrides and other scandium-containing compounds comprising nitrogen, oxygen, and/or carbon can provide a range of colors generally intermediate or between that of scandium nitride and that of the alloying metal compound. The coatings are decorative and can also exhibit advantageous physical characteristics, such as abrasion, wear, chemical, and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride. In another embodiment, the alternating layers of the color stack layer may comprise layers of carbon-rich refractory metal carbides or carbon-rich refractory metal alloy carbides alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal nitrides or nitrogen-rich refractory metal alloy nitrides.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. The coating comprises a polymeric basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises a polymer basecoat layer on the surface of said article and vapor deposited at relatively low pressure on the polymer layer a protective and decorative color layer comprised of the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the nitrogen and oxygen content of the reaction products are each from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having the appearance of nickel. The coating comprises a polymeric layer on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the polymeric layer a refractory metal nitride or refractory metal alloy nitride where the nitrogen content of said nitride is from about 6 to about 45 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises a polymeric basecoat layer on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the polymeric basecoat layer a stack layer containing layers of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy alternating with layers containing the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen. Over the stack layer is vapor deposited at relatively low pressures a protective color layer comprised of the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, oxygen and nitrogen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content of these reaction products is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent, with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. The coating comprises a nickel basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride.

Abstract: An article, particularly a metallic article, is coated with a multi-layer coating having the color or appearance of dark copper. The coating comprises a chromium, refractory metal or refractory metal alloy adhesion promoting layer, a titanium-zirconium alloy nitride or titanium-zirconium alloy carbonitride protective and color layer, and a titanium-zirconium alloy oxide or titanium-zirconium oxynitride color enhancing layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises a polymeric layer on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the polymeric layer a stack layer containing layers of refractory metal or metal alloy alternating with layers containing the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content of these reaction products is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent, with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises one or more electroplated layers on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the electroplated layers a stack layer containing layers of refractory metal or metal alloy alternating with layers containing the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content of these reaction products is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.