Abstract: A method of coating ceramic nuclear fuel particles containing a major amount of an actinide ceramic in which the particles are placed in a fluidized bed maintained at ca. 800.degree. to ca. 900.degree. C., and niobium pentachloride vapor and carbon tetrachloride vapor are led into the bed, whereby niobium metal is deposited on the particles and carbon is deposited interstitially within the niobium. Coating apparatus used in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transparent article having improved abrasion resistance, and method of making the same, which comprises a body of transparent glassy siliceous material having a smooth continuous surface and a continuous film of chromium silicide sputter-coated on said continuous surface to a thickness of from about 200 to 1,000 A.

Abstract: A cathode for use in the sputter-coating of thin films of a selected coating material on glass sheets and other substrates, and means for cooling the same. The cathode is of rectangular construction including a top wall, a bottom wall and side and end walls defining a closed chamber therein. The cathode is internally cooled by circulating a cooling medium, such as oil, under a constant head pressure, through a closed system in which the cathode is interposed, and means for continuously withdrawing air and any other gases from the system such that as the oil circulates through the cathode chamber it will exert a pressure, less than atmospheric pressure, upon the walls of said cathode and thereby reduce the pressure differential across the cathode walls.

Abstract: Composite coatings are formed of a ceramic-type material such as chromium carbide over an intermediate layer of a ductile metal such as nickel on stainless steel turbine compressor blades. Such coatings were found to reduce the erosion by entrained particles to less than 10 percent that experienced by uncoated blades.