Abstract: Apparatus for metal plating an article comprising a frame having a plurality of sealing members positioned thereon, the frame being capable of conducting an electrical current between sealing members, each sealing member being adapted to be in close contact with part of an article to be located thereon, and to thereby substantially prevent fluid from touching that part of the article or entering into a bore or recess of the article, each sealing member further being adapted to conduct current between the frame and the article.

Abstract: A method for producing a multiplicity of miniature cavities extending from a mold surface for molding a plastic product having features integrally molded with and extending from a product base, and a mold so produced. The mold cavities are formed by depositing multiple layers of plating material on a workpiece in a predetermined pattern selected to produce a desired mold cavity shape. The mold may be in the form of a roll or belt for continuous processing, or in any form for discrete injection molding. The invention is particularly applicable to the production of touch fastener products, such as those with arrays of miniature hooks.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for metal-coating the surface of a workpiece of an electrically conductive material includes i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode defining the surface of the workpiece and an anode; ii) introducing an electrolyte of an aqueous solution containing one or more water soluble compounds of the metal or metals to be deposited into the zone created between the anode and the cathode in a manner such that the cathode is bathed but not immersed in the electrolyte; and iii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode such that an electrical plasma arc is maintained between the anode and cathode during the deposition of the metal-coating onto the surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A process of producing an aluminum beverage can body having a decorative surface exhibiting a dichroic effect when observed in white light. In the process, a can body is formed from a sheet of metal selected from aluminum and aluminum alloy by drawing and ironing, surfaces of the can body are cleaned to produce a cleaned can body, a decorative structure exhibiting a dichroic effect is applied to a surface of the cleaned can body, and the can body is subjected to finishing operations. The decorative structure is applied by the steps of: applying a layer of dielectric material directly onto the metal of the cleaned can body without pre-treatment of the metal with a metal brightener, and forming a semi-transparent metal layer on or within the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to radioactive ruthenium sources with a dosage rate of at least 1.5 Gy/min at a distance (water) of 2 mm, consisting of an activity carrier and an encapsulation of the carrier made of a material compatible with the human body. A multilayer system made of metals and/or alloys is galvanically applied on the carrier. At least two layers in said system are made of ruthenium 106 and inactive intermediate layers made of other metals or alloys are provided between the radioactive ruthenium layers. The activity carrier is encapsulated with a material compatible with the human body, for instance a metal or a plastic material. Encapsulation can be carried out by filing a capsule and subsequently sealing or galvanically depositing a top layer made, for instance of hard gold.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for depositing material onto a workpiece in a sputtering chamber. The method includes sputtering a target and a coil in said sputtering chamber. The coil may have a preformed multilayer structure formed outside of the sputtering chamber. The outer layer of the coil may act as a secondary source of deposition material. The multilayer structure may be formed with an inner region or a base metal and an outer layer of a sputtering metal. The outer layer may be formed using a process such as plasma spraying, arc spraying, flame spraying, ion plating, chemical vapor deposition and electroplating.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an Oldham ring having uniform electroplating thickness and a scroll member type compressor comprising the same; in order to accomplish the above object, the electroplating process for plating an Oldham ring comprising a ring body and a plurality of key portions extending outwardly from the ring body of the present invention comprises the steps of: soaking the Oldham ring in a plating liquid; arranging at least two cathodes respectively on the inside wall of the ring body at positions corresponding to the areas between each adjacent pair of the key portions; and electroplating the Oldham ring by passing electric current between the cathodes and at least one anode contacting to the plating liquid.

Abstract: In a process for the production of an electrolytic copper foil from a sulfurically acidic copper sulfate electrolytic solution, the sulfurically acidic copper sulfate electrolytic solution contains additives of 0.1 to 1.0 g/l of an oxyethylenic surfactant, 50 to 250 mg/l of a chloride, 1 to 10 mg/l of a glue or gelatin and 1 to 10 mg/l of a nitrogen-containing organic compound.

Abstract: Both a process and plant are provided for electrolytically coating with a metal layer the casting surface of a roll for twin-roll or single-roll continuous casting of thin metal strip. The casting surface is at least partially immersed in an electrolyte solution containing a salt of the metal to be deposited, so as to face at least one anode. The surface is placed at a cathode and a relative movement is created between the casting surface and the electrolyte solution. Insulating masks are interposed between the anode or anodes and the arrises of the casting surface, the insulating masks preventing a concentration of the lines of current on the arrises and in their vicinity.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous chromium-plating of elongated members such as bars and the like: the bar to be plated is fed and rotated through at least one tubular shaped chromium-plating anode into which an electrolytic solution suitable for depositing a layer of chromium on the bar, as the latter advances through the said anode, is supplied. The electrolytic solution is supplied into the anode from the bottom upwards, through sets of holes over the bottom and the upper surfaces of the anode; the bottom holes communicate with a pressure balancing and flow distribution chamber for the electrolytic solution. This results in an electrolytic flow upwardly directed in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the bar, the temperature of which may be controlled by changing the flow rate of the electrolytic solution circulating inside the anode.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an electrically conductive layer on the surface of a wafer comprises a flange. The flange has a cylindrical wall and an annulus attached to a first end of the cylindrical wall. The annulus shields the edge region of the wafer surface during electroplating reducing the thickness of the deposited electrically conductive layer on the edge region. Further, the cylindrical wall of the flange can be provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent the wafer allowing gas bubbles entrapped on the wafer surface to readily escape.

Abstract: An Al material having an anodic oxidation film is provided that is excellent in gas and plasma corrosion resistance. By the present invention, a crack is not generated in the anodic oxidation film even in high temperature thermal cycles and corrosive gas or plasma environment. In the Al material having an Al alloy having on its surface an anodic oxidation film according to the invention, the anodic oxidation film has a porous layer and a barrier layer, and portions of cell triplet points, at which boundary faces of 3 cells in the porous layer melt, have secondary-pores.

Abstract: A method for producing a photoreceptor having a substrate subjected to a surface finishing treatment to result in a finished substrate surface, wherein the method includes:(a) analyzing the finished substrate surface by performing a first surface energy reading, a first ellipsometry reading, a first x-ray diffraction reading, and a first profilometry reading;(b) removing electrochemically via an alternating voltage or alternating current a portion of the finished substrate surface, thereby resulting in a cleaned substrate surface;(c) analyzing the cleaned substrate surface by performing a second surface energy reading, a second ellipsometry reading, a second x-ray diffraction reading, and a second profilometry reading, wherein the removing step (b) is accomplished to the extent that the second surface energy reading and the second ellipsometry reading are measurably changed from the first surface energy reading and the first ellipsometry reading, but the second x-ray diffraction reading and the second profilo

Abstract: An electrolytic process for metal-coating the pre-cleaned surface of a workpiece of an electrically conducting material, which process comprises:i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode comprising the workpiece and an anode comprising the metal for metal-coating of the surface of the workpiece;ii) introducing an electrolyte into the zone created between the anode and the cathode by causing it to flow under pressure through at least one opening in the anode impinge on the cathode; andiii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode and operating in a regime in which the electrical current decreases or remains substantially constant with increase in the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode, and in a regime in which discrete gas bubbles are present on the surface of the workpiece during treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electroplating and deplating a rotogravure cylinder out of a plating solution using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plating tank adapted to rotatably maintain the cylinder and to contain a plating solution so that the cylinder is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a mounting structure mountable within the tank partially on each side of and generally below the cylinder, along with a plurality of conductors at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the upper portions of the conductors and to the cylinder. An ultrasonic system to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulating pump and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herewithin is a method of fabricating a stent which involves processing a tubular member whereby no connection points to join the edges of a flat pattern are necessary. The method includes the steps of a) removing contaminates from a tubular member, b) coating the outside surface of the tubular member with a photo-sensitive resist material, c) placing the tubular member in an apparatus designed to simultaneously rotate the tubular member while passing a specially configured photographic frame negative between a UV light source and the tubular member, thereby exposing a specified pattern of UV light to the resist coated tubular member, d) exposing the outside surface of the tubular member to a photoresist developer for a specified period of time, e) rinsing the excess developer and uncured resist from the outside surface of the tubular member, f) treating the tubular member with a electro-chemical process to remove uncovered metal.

Abstract: The entire outer surface of a ground rod, including its pointed end portion, has a continuous and uniform electroplated coating. The rod has a blunt end portion shaped to minimize mushrooming when it is hammered for driving the rod into the ground. Jets of plating solution directed against the rod produce swirling motion of plating solution around the rod while it moves longitudinally through a plating bath. Uniformity of the plated coating may be enhanced by rotating the rod during longitudinal movement through the plating bath.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for conditioning the copper or copper-alloy external surface of an element of a mold for the continuous casting of metals, of the type including a step of nickel plating of said surface and a step of nickel removal therefrom, wherein:a preparation of said surface, comprising in succession an operation of cleaning said bare surface, an operation of pickling said bare surface in an oxidizing acid medium and an operation of brightening said bare surface, is carried out;then, an operation of nickel plating of said bare surface is carried out by electroplating, by placing said element as the cathode in an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous nickel sulfamate solution containing from 60 to 100 g/l of nickel;then, after said element has been used, an operation of partially or completely removing the nickel from said surface electrolytically is carried out, by placing said element as the anode in an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous nickel sulfamate solution containing fro

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously anodizing the heads of several aluminum pistons includes a plating tank with an array of apertures extending through one side wall, one aperture for each piston; a fixture on the wall providing a cylindrical bore aligned with each aperture adapted to receive a piston; and a plurality of actuators which, when pivoted and locked into alignment with the fixture bores, operate to secure individual pistons in their respective apertures. A masking/sealing assembly within each fixture bore ensures that each aperture is sealed upon the securing of a piston therein, with only the piston's head and peripheral land being placed in fluid communication with the interior of the plating tank. A remote storage tank provides a supply of an electrolyte which is circulated by a fluid supply network between the storage tank and the thus-sealed plating tank during electrolysis. After the desired coating is achieved, the electrolyte is drained from the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a porous alumina tube with numerous pores having a uniform shape and a uniform diameter of 5 to 200 nm and extending linearly in the vertical direction to the outer peripheral surface thereof, which comprises the steps of forming an anodized layer by anodizing the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum tube, and removing the aluminum tube after the anodized layer is formed.

Abstract: A steel component is provided on its surface with an electroplated anti-corrosive coating of a metallic material and has a hardness of at least 650 HV, the anti-corrosive coating being thinner than the surface roughness which the hardened component had before the application of the protective coating. Advantageously, the component is a rolling bearing component with a surface roughness R.sub.z of 0.3 to 9.0 .mu.m and a coating thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 .mu.m. Preferably, the anti-corrosive coating comprises a zinc-cobalt alloy, a zinc-iron alloy or a zinc-nickel alloy coating. It is possible to add iron, tin, copper or chromium to the coating composition.

Abstract: A plating liquid for forming a nickel plating layer containing a dispersed substance and phosphorus having 1.0 g/l or more of sodium is desirably utilized in the high speed plating process. Other important aspects of the invention include a plating method using the aforementioned plating liquid, characterized in that a voltage is impressed while permitting the plating liquid to flow between a surface to be plated of a workpiece at a plating liquid flow rate of 1.0-3.0 m/sec and an electric current density of 20-200 A/dm.sup.2, and an engine cylinder having a plated interior surface characterized in that the plating layer of the cylinder is formed by a high speed plating treatment using the aforementioned plating liquid.

Abstract: There is provided a new method of improving properties of the surface of an internal combustion engine valve made from titanium alloy, which comprises; the steps of (a) forming a surface undercoat layer of nickel on a surface of the engine valve; (b) heating the resulting nickel undercoated valve in vacuum or in an atmosphere of inert gas, at the temperature of 450.degree. C. to 600.degree. C., for one to four hours; (c) forming further a three component coat layer comprising nickel, phosphorus and particles of material selected from the group consisting of silicone carbide, silicone nitride, boron nitride, and the combination thereof, on the surface of the nickel undercoat layer; and (d) heating the resulting coat layer formed on the nickel undercoat layer, at the temperature of 350.degree. C. to 550.degree. C., for one to four hours, so as to make the particles of ceramic material uniformly and homogeneously dispersed in said coat layer.

Abstract: The invention is a metal tube such as a heat exchanger tube which has been treated by in situ electrodeposition to repair one or more degraded sections. The repaired metal tube section has an electroformed structural layer which has an ultrafine grain microstructure of sufficient thickness to restore the degraded section at least to its original mechanical specifications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously anodizing the heads of several aluminum pistons includes a plating tank having an array of apertures extending through one of its side walls, one aperture for each piston; and means for securing the head of each piston in its respective aperture. A seal disposed in each aperture ensures that the aperture is sealed upon the securing of the piston therein, with only the piston's head being placed in fluid communication with the interior of the plating tank. An acid electrolyte is directed into the plating tank through electrically-conductive sparging nozzles positioned therein opposite the heads of the pistons, thereby forming an electrolytic cell with the pistons as anodes and the sparging nozzles as cathodes. A power supply simultaneously applies a current to the cell, i.e., across the electrolyte via the pistons and sparger nozzles, to effect electrolytic coating of each piston's head.

Abstract: A process for repairing degraded sections of metal tubes, such as heat exchanger tubes, by in situ electroforming utilizes a probe containing an electrode. The probe is movable through the tube to the site of degradation and is sealed in place, thereby creating an electrochemical cell. Electrolyte flows from a reservoir through the cell and a structural layer of metal is deposited on the tube using a pulsed direct current and a duty cycle of 10-60%. The metal layer so formed possesses an ultrafine grain size preferably with a highly twinned microcrystalline structure giving the layer excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: In an electroplating container in which at least one portion of an inside surface of the container is formed from a metal material serving as cathode or anode and an anode or cathode is placed in the container, a composite electroplating liquid containing metal ions and fine solid particles is introduced into a bottom portion of the container in such a manner that the introduced composite electroplating liquid spouts downward against an inside bottom surface of the container and is allowed to flow upward through a flow path formed between the anode and the cathode, and an electric current is applied between the anode and cathode so as to form a composite electroplating layer including the fine solid particles evenly distributed in a metal matrix on a surface of the cathode or anode facing the flow path.

Abstract: A corrodible iron-based work such as a cylinder rod is subjected to hard chrome plating, heat-treatment by high frequency heating or baking at a temperature of not less than 150.degree. C. (e.g. 170.degree. to 600.degree. C.), resin impregnation treatment and finish buffing in that order to produce a corrosion-inhibited member. In the impregnation step, a thermosetting resin may be impregnated under subatmospheric pressure. After the impregnation step, the thermosettable resin or sealant may be cured in a curing step. The present invention provides for an remarkably high degree of corrosion resistance even though the thickness of the hard chrome plating layer is small.

Abstract: A method of producing a weapon barrel (1) having a wear-resistant inner coating (10) applied by an electrolytic method. To enable the application of a relatively thick protective layer to the inner wall or surface of a large-caliber weapon barrel (1), in particular, in the regions of thermally high stress and in a simple manner, a weapon barrel (1) prefabricated true to caliber is provided, a recess (7) is formed in the region of the chamber (2) and of the adjoining caliber region (3) to be coated with the protective layer (10) by electrochemical stripping (electrolytic polishing), and the recess (7) is subsequently refilled electrolytically with the protective layer (10). The same center electrode (4, 12) preferably is used for the electrolytic polishing process and for the electrolytic process for applying (plating) the protective coating or layer (10).

Abstract: A resilient dielectric wiper blade is mounted between a cathodic workpiece and an anode to wipe bubbles of hydrogen from the surface, sever dendritic material, if such is present as the coating thickens, and to remove a surface layer of partially depleted electrolytic solution and replace with fresh solution. The resilient dielectric wiper blade is preferably used with perforated anodes.

Abstract: A method of preventing galling between first and second metallic surfaces which are disposed in contacting, substantially stationary relation, one to each other, includes coating at least one of the first and second metallic surfaces with a layer of hard chromium plating.

Abstract: There is provided a metal foil manufacturing method, in which a metal foil is manufactured by forming a thin metal layer by electrodepositing a metal on the surface of a cathode through an electrolytic reaction, and then separating the thin metal layer from the cathode surface. In doing this, an anodized film forming apparatus is mounted on an exposed surface of the cathode exposed after the separation of the metal layer, and is operated to subject the exposed surface of the cathode continuously or intermittently to electrolytic oxidation, thereby forming an anodized film on the exposed surface.

Abstract: An ink transfer medium, and a method for manufacturing the medium are provided. The ink transfer medium is of the electrically fusible type, and has an anisotropically electrically conductive layer characterized by greater electrical conductivity in the direction normal to the surface of the layer than in a direction parallel to the surface of the layer. Other layers sequentially provided next to each other, include a resistive layer for converting an electrical signal into heat, a conductive layer, an ink separation layer, and a fusible ink layer. Examples are given illustrating the use of the ink transfer medium. The anisotropically electrically conductive layer may be made by anodizing an aluminum cylinder to form an alumina body defining a plurality of through-pores and electrolytically filling the through-pores with a metal such as nickel or cobalt.

Abstract: A method of forming a Ballard shell on a rotogravure printing roll or the like. At least one of the side surfaces of a roll base is covered with a removably fixed, adhering, concentric, annular disk which remains in place and limits the radial extent of plating on the side of the cylinder while a Ballard shell is plated on the roll. The disk is removable from the roll at the end of the process. The result of the process is a novel Ballard shell having a cleanly terminating inner circumference adjacent to the roll and a ledge portion on its inner periphery extending axially outward from the inner circumference. The axially extending ledge portion of the Ballard shell is a novel structural feature, and is responsible for the easy stripability of the shell after an extended printing run. Yet another aspect of the invention is a rotogravure roll or the like on which a Ballard shell having the previously described construction is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the wetting behavior of the surface of a cylinder formed of passivatable metal. A wetting device is used to apply an electrolyte to the surface of the metal cylinder. A direct current source is connected between the wetting device and the cylinder and a control device is used to control the voltage necessary for passivating the surface of the cylinder as a function of the pH value of the electrolyte and the type of metal forming the surface of the cylinder. The oleophilic or oleophobic characteristics of the cylinder are thus controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which an aluminum-clad copper pin-piston is supported on the upper surface of a roller or a pair of rollers. As the roller rotates, it rotates the pin-piston and the surface of the roller carries an electrolyte. The positive side of a power supply is connected to the pin-piston and the negative side of the supply is coupled to the roller surface via the electrolyte bath. Anodizing current passes from the rotating roller to the rotating pin-piston via the electrolyte, which is continuously replenished. An anodized film forms on the aluminum surface of the pin-piston. Oxide growth rate and film thickness are controlled by controlling the current density and the duration of pin-piston contact with the charged roller.

Abstract: The internal surfaces of a tank for liquids, for example a cargo tank or ballast tank of a ship, are coated by application of a metal plating composition to them by means of an applicator to form a metal layer at least 1 micron thick. The plating composition may be an electroless plating composition or an electroplating composition and is preferably thickened or gelled so that it is thixotropic or does not drip from downwardly facing surfaces.

Abstract: There is disclose a method of an apparatus for surface-treatment of half sliding bearings having a multi-layer construction including a steel backing, a bearing alloy layer of copper alloy or aluminum alloy, an intermediate plating layer and a surface layer. A plurality of half sliding bearings are attached to a support member in such a manner that the half sliding bearings are arranged end-to-end into a semi-cylindrical configuration. The support member is transferred to be sequentially inserted into a plurality of openable and closable plating cases mounted respectively within pretreatment tanks and plating tanks, thereby sequentially forming the intermediate plating layer and the surface layer on the half sliding bearings.

Abstract: A method of applying a metallic coating to metallic sealing and/or threaded regions of steel pipes which are under high pressure per unit of surface by a pretreatment of the surface to be coated which consists of a cleaning and degreasing and an electrolytic deposition of a layer of tin by a first heat treatment at a temperature between about 150.degree. and about 200.degree. C. and a second brief heat treatment above the melting point of tin with subsequent cooling is provided. A metallic coating which is formed using said method is also provided.

Abstract: A siphon and method of immersion and removal of an object to be plated in a liquid for siphoning the liquid from a blind hole in the object. The siphon has a short leg in the blind hole and a long leg exterior of the hole and extending downwardly below the short leg. The siphon may be either non-conductive or conductive. If conductive, it can also serve as an auxiliary electrode in the plating process.

Abstract: An electrical insulating coating layer having excellent adhesion, toughness and heat resistance is formed on a surface of a copper material by anodizing the copper material under a low current in an acid bath of a hexacyanoiron complex. Copper materials such as coil wires can hence be provided with a thin, heat-resistant, electrical insulating layer, whereby the values of the copper materials can be heightened.