Abstract: Castable silicon-based compositions have enhanced toughness and related properties compared to silicon. The con-based compositions comprise silicon at a concentration greater than 50% by weight and one or more additional elements in structure comprising a cubic silicon phase and an additional phase which may impart toughness through mechanisms related to plastic flow or crack interaction with interfacial boundaries.

Abstract: Methods to enhance the quality of grain boundary networks are described. The process can result in the production of a metal including a relatively large fraction of special grain boundaries (e.g., a fraction of special grain boundaries of at least about 55%).

Abstract: Coated articles, electrodeposition baths, and related systems are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: A method joins bodies of two component materials, at least one of which is a particulate, at low temperature. A third component has a lower melting point than either of the components. The third component chemically reacts with one or both of the first two to form material with a higher melting point than the original third component. The system is heated to at or above that melting point. The third component melts and flows, migrating to fill spaces between particles. The fluid should migrate to and across the interface, bridging the two component materials. The migrating phase network connects across the joining interface. The reaction product remains solid at temperatures above the original melting point of the third component. The migrating phase can be the liquefied form of the third component, or, a glass, heated to act as a supercooled liquid.

Abstract: Electrodeposition baths and systems. The baths and systems are useful for forming coated articles. The articles may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Power pulsing, such as current pulsing, is used to control the structures of metals and alloys electrodeposited in non-aqueous electrolytes. Using waveforms containing different types of pulses: cathodic, off-time and anodic, internal microstructure, such as grain size, phase composition, phase domain size, phase arrangement or distribution and surface morphologies of the as-deposited alloys can be tailored. Additionally, these alloys exhibit superior macroscopic mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, ductility and density. Waveform shape methods can produce aluminum alloys that are comparably hard (about 5 GPa and as ductile (about 13% elongation at fracture) as steel yet nearly as light as aluminum; or, stated differently, harder than aluminum alloys, yet lighter than steel, at a similar ductility. Al—Mn alloys have been made with such strength to weight ratios. Additional properties can be controlled, using the shape of the current waveform.

Abstract: Chromium plating from the trivalent state is relatively environmentally friendly as compared to a hexavalent chromium bath. Incorporation of non-metallic and metalloid elements into the coating should lead to enhanced properties. The relationship between composition, structure, and properties of annealed Cr—C—P layers electrodeposited from chromium-based trivalent baths is discussed. These coatings are amorphous in the as-deposited state, but upon thermal treatments, chromium nanocrystallization, as well as precipitation of carbides and phosphides occurs. Incorporation of phosphorous strongly influences the structural evolution and mechanical properties. Electroplated Cr—C alloy coatings exhibit significant increases in hardness and strength, when exposed to temperatures up to about 600° C., owing to the evolution of their nanostructure. This evolution can be shifted to higher temperatures (approaching 850° C.), through a ternary addition of phosphorous.

Abstract: Methods to enhance the quality of grain boundary networks are described. The process can result in the production of a metal including a relatively large fraction of special grain boundaries (e.g., a fraction of special grain boundaries of at least about 55%).

Abstract: Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. In some cases, the coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity. The articles may be coated, for example, using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Electrochemical etching tailors topography of a nanocrystalline or amorphous metal or alloy, which may be produced by any method including, by electrochemical deposition. Common etching methods can be used. Topography can be controlled by varying parameters that produce the item or the etching parameters or both. The nanocrystalline article has a surface comprising at least two elements, at least one of which is metal, and one of which is more electrochemically active than the others. The active element has a definite spatial distribution in the workpiece, which bears a predecessor spatial relationship to the specified topography. Etching removes a portion of the active element preferentially, to achieve the specified topography. Control is possible regarding: roughness, color, particularly along a spectrum from silver through grey to black, reflectivity and the presence, distribution and number density of pits and channels, as well as their depth, width, size.

Abstract: A mechanical structure is provided with a crystalline superelastic alloy that is characterized by an average grain size and that is characterized by a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress. A configuration of the superelastic alloy is provided with a geometric structural feature of the alloy that has an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size of the alloy. This geometric feature is configured to accept a mechanical stress input.

Abstract: A method for protecting a threaded metal joint from galling and corrosion includes providing a nanocrystalline coating on the metal surface. The nanocrystalline coating can include a solid or liquid lubricant to protect against wear. Threaded metal joint surfaces coated with the nanocrystalline coating can resist galling under high pressure and high torque, even after several fastening and unfastening operations and also over a long period of time. Protection from corrosion is also provided by the nanocrystalline coating. The method and nanocrystalline coating provide metal surfaces with both lubrication and protection against corrosion. Problems such as removal or leakage, which are associated with protective compounds that use oils, are avoided. The nanocrystalline coatings may be layers of the same material, or layers of differing materials, such as layers with lubricating particles dispersed throughout, and layers without lubricating particles.

Abstract: Methods for the use of nanocrystalline or amorphous metals or alloys as coatings with industrial processes are provided. Three, specific, such methods have been detailed. One of the preferred embodiments provides a method for the high volume electrodeposition of many components with a nanocrystalline or amorphous metal or alloy, and the components produced thereby. Another preferred embodiment provides a method for application of a nanocrystalline or amorphous coatings in a continuous electrodeposition process and the product produced thereby. Another of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a method for reworking and/or rebuilding components and the components produced thereby.

Abstract: Bipolar wave current, is used to electrodeposit a nanocrystalline grain size. Polarity Ratio is the ratio of absolute value of time integrated amplitude of negative and positive polarity current. Grain size can be controlled in alloys of two or more components, at least one of which is a metal, and at least one of which is most electro-active. Typically, the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened during negative current. Current density, duration of pulse portions, and bath composition are determined with reference to relations showing grain size as a function of deposit composition, and deposit composition as a function of Polarity Ratio, or a single relation showing grain size as a function of Polarity ratio. A specified size can be achieved by selecting a corresponding Polarity Ratio. Coatings can be layered, each having an average grain size, which can vary layer to layer and also graded through a region.

Abstract: Methods for the use of nanocrystalline or amorphous metals or alloys as coatings with industrial processes are provided. Three, specific, such methods have been detailed. One of the preferred embodiments provides a method for the high volume electrodeposition of many components with a nanocrystalline or amorphous metal or alloy, and the components produced thereby. Another preferred embodiment provides a method for application of a nanocrystalline or amorphous coatings in a continuous electrodeposition process and the product produced thereby. Another of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a method for reworking and/or rebuilding components and the components produced thereby.

Abstract: Bipolar current electrodeposits a nanocrystalline grain size. Polarity Ratio relates the absolute value of time integrated amplitude of negative polarity and positive polarity current. Grain size can be controlled in alloys of two or more components, one of which being a metal, and one of which being most electro-active. Typically the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened in the deposit during negative current. The deposit is relatively crack and void free. Grain size is typically a function of deposit composition, which is typically a function of Polarity Ratio. Specified grain size can be achieved by selecting a corresponding Polarity Ratio. Coatings can be in layers, each having a grain size, which can vary layer to layer and also in a graded fashion. A finished article may be built upon a substrate of electro-conductive plastic, or metal, including steels, aluminum, brass. The substrate may remain, or be removed.

Abstract: Bipolar wave current, with both positive and negative current portions, is used to electrodeposit a nanocrystalline grain size deposit. Polarity Ratio is the ratio of the absolute value of the time integrated amplitude of negative polarity current and positive polarity current. Grain size can be precisely controlled in alloys of two or more chemical components, at least one of which is a metal, and at least one of which is most electro-active. Typically, although not always, the amount of the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened in the deposit during times of negative current. The deposit also exhibits superior macroscopic quality, being relatively crack and void free.

Abstract: Chromium plating from the trivalent state is relatively environmentally friendly as compared to a hexavalent chromium bath. Incorporation of non-metallic and metalloid elements into the coating should lead to enhanced properties. The relationship between composition, structure, and properties of annealed Cr—C—P layers electrodeposited from chromium-based trivalent baths is discussed. These coatings are amorphous in the as-deposited state, but upon thermal treatments, chromium nanocrystallization, as well as precipitation of carbides and phosphides occurs. Incorporation of phosphorous strongly influences the structural evolution and mechanical properties. Electroplated Cr—C alloy coatings exhibit significant increases in hardness and strength, when exposed to temperatures up to about 600° C., owing to the evolution of their nanostructure. This evolution can be shifted to higher temperatures (approaching 850° C.), through a ternary addition of phosphorous.