Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces in heat exchangers for brazing by depositing thereon a kinetic sprayed brazing composition. The process simultaneously deposits monolith or composite coatings that can include all braze materials and corrosion protection materials used in the brazing of aluminum fins to plates and tubes in a single stage.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a non-obstructed interior opening in a kinetic spray nozzle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a mixture of particles including first particle population and a second particle population; entraining the mixture of particles into a flow of a gas at a temperature below the melt temperature of the particle populations; and directing the mixture of particles entrained in the flow of gas through a supersonic nozzle to accelerate the first particle population to a velocity sufficient to result in adherence of the first particle population on a substrate positioned opposite the nozzle. The operating conditions of the kinetic spray system are selected such that the second particle population is not accelerated to a velocity sufficient to result in adherence when it impacts the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.

Abstract: A process for forming an adherent diamond-like carbon coating on a workpiece of suitable material such as an aluminum alloy is disclosed. The workpiece is successively immersed in different plasma atmospheres and subjected to short duration, high voltage, negative electrical potential pulses or constant negative electrical potentials or the like so as to clean the surface of oxygen atoms, implant carbon atoms into the surface of the alloy to form carbide compounds while codepositing a carbonaceous layer on the surface, bombard and remove the carbonaceous layer, and to thereafter deposit a generally amorphous hydrogen-containing carbon layer on the surface of the article.

Abstract: Hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon alloys are surface treated with nitrogen and carbon by ion implantation means so as to form hard, wear resistant particles of silicon nitride and silicon carbide which are surrounded by a hard matrix of aluminum nitride and aluminum carbide, depending on the species implanted. During applications where wear resistance is required, the hard silicon-based particles provide the wear resistant phase, thereby shielding the surrounding aluminum-based matrix. Yet the modified aluminum-based matrix is also sufficiently hard so as to provide strength and support for the silicon-based particles. Substantial improvements in wear resistance are obtained for these hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon alloys, as compared to conventional alloys which have not been treated in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: Plastic automotive panels are painted electrostatically by coating the rear of the panel with conductive material to serve as the grounded terminus of an electrostatic paint deposition field and paint is sprayed onto the front of the panel by conventional electrostatic spray guns. The coating is applied to the panels by spraying a conductive salt or a conductive primer to the rear surface and allowed to dry, or the panel is formed with the conductive coating molded in situ. In the latter case, conductive material is sprayed onto a mold surface or a metal foil or metallized plastic sheet is inserted into the mode before the part is formed to result in a panel with a conductive rear surface. Also, in-mold coating can be used to apply a conductive coating during the formation of a plastic panel.