Abstract: A metal surface treatment method wherein the surface (10) is simultaneously bombarded with a mixture of abrasive particles (4) and dopant particles (6) which are delivered at a velocity in the range of 50-250 m/sec, and thereby depositing the dopant material on the surface. Also provided is an article (8) having a surface treated by such a method.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising: (a) a silicate, such as sodium silicate, potassium silicate or lithium silicate; (b) a phosphate, such calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate or sodium phosphate; and (c) a metal oxide, such as magnesium oxide, aluminum (III) oxide, scandium (III) oxide, yttrium (III) oxide, or zirconium oxide. Such curable coating compositions may be used as non-thermochromic (tailored based on expected operating environment) thermal control coating compositions for application to spacecraft and components thereof. As an alternative metal oxide component, for use in lower temperature applications, or in applications for which thermochromism at elevated temperatures is not a concern, the metal oxide may comprise zinc oxide. Also provided is a curable coating composition comprising: (a) a silicate (e.g. as above); (b) a phosphate (e.g. as above); and (c) a metal sulphate, such as a barium sulphate.

Abstract: A metal surface treatment method wherein the surface (10) is simultaneously bombarded with a mixture of abrasive particles (4) and dopant particles (6) which are delivered at a velocity in the range of 50-250 m/sec, and thereby depositing the dopant material on the surface. Also provided is an article (8) having a surface treated by such a method.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising: (a) a silicate, such as sodium silicate, potassium silicate or lithium silicate; (b) a phosphate, such calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate or sodium phosphate; and (c) a metal oxide, such as magnesium oxide, aluminium (III) oxide, scandium (III) oxide, yttrium (III) oxide, or zirconium oxide. Such curable coating compositions may be used as non-thermochromic (tailored based on expected operating environment) thermal control coating compositions for application to spacecraft and components thereof. As an alternative metal oxide component, for use in lower temperature applications, or in applications for which thermochromism at elevated temperatures is not a concern, the metal oxide may comprise zinc oxide. Also provided is a curable coating composition comprising: (a) a silicate (e.g. as above); (b) a phosphate (e.g. as above); and (c) a metal sulphate, such as a barium sulphate.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, the method comprising: delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of the substrate, to impregnate the surface of the substrate with the dopant; wherein the dopant comprises a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting species, such as to form a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting coating at or on the surface of the substrate. Also provided is an article comprising a substrate having a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting coating, the said coating comprising particles of a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting species that impregnate the surface of the substrate (e.g. as produced by the above method).