Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stabilizing the position of a sheet-like element made of hard brittle material during transportation thereof along a transport path is provided in which the element is guided through a roller chicane having three rollers.

Abstract: By first fluxing a steel long product with novel specific flux compositions, it is possible to continuously produce, more uniform, smoother and void-free galvanized coatings on such steel long products in a single hot dip galvanization step making use of zinc-aluminum alloys or zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloys with less than 95 wt. % zinc. This is achieved by providing potassium and sodium chlorides in a KCl/NaCl weight ratio of at least 2.0 in a flux composition comprising (a) more than 40 and less than 70 weight % zinc chloride, (b) from 10 to 30 weight % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 weight % of a set of at least two alkali metal chlorides.

Abstract: By first fluxing a steel long product with novel specific flux compositions, it is possible to continuously produce, more uniform, smoother and void-free galvanized coatings on such steel long products in a single hot dip galvanization step making use of zinc-aluminum alloys or zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloys with less than 95 wt. % zinc. This is achieved by providing specific amounts of lead chloride and tin chloride in a flux composition comprising (a) more than 40 and less than 70 weight % zinc chloride, (b) from 10 to 30 weight % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 weight % of a set of at least two alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorides.

Abstract: A method of stripping gamma/gamma prime polycrystalline alloy bond coats from single crystal gamma/gamma prime nickel based superalloys, including the steps of grit blasting followed by the use of hydrochloric acid solutions, followed by rinsing. The cycle may be repeated several times, with visual inspection between cycles.

Abstract: An intraocular shunt can be manufactured using a system that includes a liquid bath and a wire, which is moved through the bath. When moved through the bath, the wire is coated with a material, such as gelatin. For example, the liquid bath can have a top layer, including water, and a bottom layer, including gelatin. The coated wire passes through an aperture formed in a plate component of the system. The gelatin can be dried on the wire in a humidity-controlled space, thereby forming the shunt.

Abstract: There are provided a hot-dip galvanized steel pipe in which the plating layer thereof is less liable to peel off even if the steel pipe is worked, and a method of manufacturing the hot-dip galvanized steel pipe. The hot-dip galvanized steel pipe includes a steel pipe and the plating layer formed on the surface of the steel pipe. Throughout the entire depth of plating layer, the fn defined by the following formula is at least 99.9: fn=Fe+Al+Zn where, the symbol of an element in the formula represents the content (mass %) of that element in the plating layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a silver (Ag) coating pigment. The method for producing a silver coating pigment according to the present invention comprises: a step of forming a tin compound pretreatment layer on the matrix surface; and a step of forming a silver coating layer on the lower portion of the tin compound pretreatment layer through a reflux and electroless plating process using a diluted solution of silver nitrate, ammonia water, a citric acid solution, and a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: System and method of producing multi-layered aluminum alloy products are disclosed. A multi-layered aluminum alloy product may be formed by first heating a first aluminum alloy to a first temperature where the first temperature is at least about 5° C. lower than the eutectic temperature of the first aluminum alloy, second heating a second aluminum alloy to a second temperature where the second temperature is at least about 5° C. higher than the liquidus temperature of the second aluminum alloy, and coupling the second aluminum alloy to the first aluminum alloy to produce a multi-layered aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flux composition for treating a metal surface prior to batch hot galvanizing in molten zinc-based alloys. The composition comprises (a) more than 40 and less than 70 wt. % zinc chloride, (b) 10 to 30 wt. % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 wt. % of a set of at least two alkali or alkaline earth metal halides, (d) from 0.1 to 2 wt. % lead chloride, and (e) from 2 to 15 wt. % tin chloride, provided that the combined amounts of lead chloride and tin chloride represent at least 2.5 wt. % of said composition. The invention further relates to a fluxing bath comprising this flux composition dissolved in water for use in galvanizing processes, by batch or continuously, of metal articles such as iron or steel long products and flat products, thus affording a protective coating layer with a thickness ranging from 5 to 30 ?m.

Abstract: By first fluxing a steel long product with novel specific flux compositions, it is possible to continuously produce, more uniform, smoother and void-free galvanized coatings on such steel long products in a single hot dip galvanization step making use of zinc-aluminum alloys or zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloys with less than 95 wt. % zinc. This is achieved by providing potassium and sodium chlorides in a KCl/NaCl weight ratio of at least 2.0 in a flux composition comprising (a) more than 40 and less than 70 weight % zinc chloride, (b) from 10 to 30 weight % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 weight % of a set of at least two alkali metal chlorides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flux composition for treating a metal surface, comprising (a) more than 40 and less than 70 wt. % zinc chloride, (b) 10 to 30 wt. % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 wt. % of a set of at least two alkali metal chlorides including sodium chloride and potassium chloride, (d) from 0 to 2 wt. % lead chloride, and (e) from 0 to 15 wt. % tin chloride, provided that the KCl/NaCl weight ratio of said set of at least two alkali metal chlorides ranges from 2.0 to 8.0. This invention also relates to a fluxing bath comprising this flux composition dissolved in water for use in galvanizing processes, by batch or continuously, of metal articles such as iron or steel long products and flat products including wires, plates, coils, rods, reinforcing bars, tubes, strips and sheets.

Abstract: By first fluxing a steel long product with novel specific flux compositions, it is possible to continuously produce, more uniform, smoother and void-free galvanized coatings on such steel long products in a single hot dip galvanization step making use of zinc-aluminum alloys or zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloys with less than 95 wt. % zinc. This is achieved by providing specific amounts of lead chloride and tin chloride in a flux composition comprising (a) more than 40 and less than 70 weight % zinc chloride, (b) from 10 to 30 weight % ammonium chloride, (c) more than 6 and less than 30 weight % of a set of at least two alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorides.

Abstract: This innovation is relevant to a surface preparation of pre-fabricated steel parts, able to guarantee an excellent contact between the surface to be coated, and the molten bath, based on a Zinc-alloy containing Aluminum between 0.01 and 0.1 wt %. In a greater detail this invention is related to a procedure for hot-dip coat steel parts with a Zn—Al-alloy, according to which the parts are properly pickled and then immersed into an aqueous flux solution containing ZnCl2, NH4Cl, Bi2O3, and KCl, at a pH between 0.1 and 1.5 and a temperature in the range 4 and 50° C., for an immersion time between 10 s and 10 minutes. Using the flux solution according to the present innovation, it is possible to coat discontinuously with a Zn—Al-alloy, parts fabricated either with plain Carbon steels either high-strength steels. Furthermore, steels known commercially as Sandelin or Iper-sandelin, may be also coated without surface defects and with a glossy appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a silver (Ag) coating pigment. The method for producing a silver coating pigment according to the present invention comprises: a step of forming a tin compound pretreatment layer on the matrix surface; and a step of forming a silver coating layer on the lower portion of the tin compound pretreatment layer through a reflux and electroless plating process using a diluted solution of silver nitrate, ammonia water, a citric acid solution, and a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: System and method of producing multi-layered aluminum alloy products are disclosed. A multi-layered aluminum alloy product may be formed by first heating a first aluminum alloy to a first temperature where the first temperature is at least about 5° C. lower than the eutectic temperature of the first aluminum alloy, second heating a second aluminum alloy to a second temperature where the second temperature is at least about 5° C. higher than the liquidus temperature of the second aluminum alloy, and coupling the second aluminum alloy to the first aluminum alloy to produce a multi-layered aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a brazed surface to receive a coating is disclosed. The method includes providing a brazed surface having a flux layer including a conversion coating and a powder component; and applying an aqueous solution containing a flux-removing agent to the surface to at least partially remove the powder component of the flux layer to obtain a treated brazed surface that is suitable for receiving a subsequent coating layer.

Abstract: A cap metal forming method capable of obtaining a uniform film thickness on the entire surface of a substrate is provided. The method for forming a cap metal on a copper wiring formed on a processing target surface of a substrate includes: holding the substrate so as to be rotatable; rotating the substrate in a processing target surface direction of the substrate; locating an end portion of an agitation member so as to face the processing target surface of a periphery portion of the substrate with a preset gap maintained therebetween; supplying a plating processing solution onto the processing target surface; and stopping the supply of the plating processing solution and moving the agitation member such that the end portion of the agitation member is separated away from the processing target surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a flux for hot dip galvanization comprising from: 36 to 80 wt. % (percent by weight) of zinc chloride (ZnCl2); 8 to 62 wt. % of ammonium chloride (NH4C); from 2.0 to 10 wt. % of a least one of the following compounds: NiCl2, MnCl2 or a mixture thereof. The invention further relates to a fluxing bath, a process for the hot dip galvanization of an iron or steel article as well as to the use of said flux.

Abstract: Various processes and related systems are provided for making structures on substrate surfaces. Disclosed are methods of making a structure supported by a substrate by providing a substrate having a receiving surface and exposing at least a portion of the receiving surface to output from a remote plasma of an inert gas. The remote plasma has an energy low enough to substantially avoid etching or sputtering of the receiving surface but sufficient to generate a treated receiving surface. The treated surface is contacted with a deposition gas, thereby making the structure supported by the substrate.

Abstract: This innovation is relevant to a surface preparation of pre-fabricated steel parts, able to guarantee an excellent contact between the surface to be coated, and the molten bath, based on a Zinc-alloy containing Aluminum between 0.01 and 0.1 wt %. In a greater detail this invention is related to a procedure for hot-dip coat steel parts with a Zn—Al-alloy, according to which the parts are properly pickled and then immersed into an aqueous flux solution containing ZnCl2, NH4Cl, Bi2O3, and KCl, at a pH between 0.1 and 1.5 and a temperature in the range 4 and 50° C., for an immersion time between 10 s and 10 minutes. Using the flux solution according to the present innovation, it is possible to coat discontinuously with a Zn—Al-alloy, parts fabricated either with plain Carbon steels either high-strength steels. Furthermore, steels known commercially as Sandelin or Iper-sandelin, may be also coated without surface defects and with a glossy appearance.

Abstract: Provided is CNTs on which TiO2 is uniformly coated. The method includes: functionalizing CNTs with hydrophilic functional groups; mixing the CNTs functionalized with hydrophilic functional groups in a solution that contains with TiO2 precursors; refining TiO2 precursor-coated CNTs from the solution in which the CNTs and the TiO2 precursors are mixed; and heat treating the refined TiO2-coated CNTs. The TiO2-coated CNTs formed in this manner simultaneously retain the characteristics of CNTs and TiO2 nanowires, and thus, can be applied to solar cells, field emission display devices, gas sensors, or optical catalysts.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a water-soluble preflux containing a low-volatile solubilizing agent excellent in performance to dissolve an imidazole compound in water and capable of bringing out an excellent film-forming property of the imidazole compound and also to provide a treating method for the surface of a metal conductive part which comprises bringing the surface into contact with the above water-soluble preflux.

Abstract: A cap metal forming method capable of obtaining a uniform film thickness on the entire surface of a substrate is provided. A method for forming a cap metal on a processing surface of a substrate provided with two or more regions having different water-repellent properties, includes: holding the substrate horizontally by a rotatable holding mechanism installed in an inner chamber; supplying a gas between the inner chamber and an outer chamber covering the inner chamber via a gas supply hole provided in a top surface of the outer chamber; forming a pressure gradient between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; and supplying a plating solution to a preset position on the processing surface of the substrate after a pressure of the gas inside the inner chamber reaches a preset value so as to form the cap metal on at least one of the regions.

Abstract: A device and method for thermally galvanizing objects, in particular metal objects, includes pretreating an object for treating. The pretreated object is arranged in a flux bath for fluxing of the object and arranged in a zinc bath in order to have the material of the object react with zinc and to apply a zinc-containing layer to the object. The pretreating includes blasting the object with grains so as to remove at least the surface layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of providing additional corrosion protection to a localized portion of a pole such as a utility pole, support pole, or the like comprising the steps of: (1) determining which portion of the pole is to receive additional corrosion protection; (2) blast cleaning that localized portion of the pole which is to receive additional corrosion protection; (3) placing the pole into a caustic tank; (4) removing the pole from the caustic tank; (5) subjecting the pole to a caustic rinse; (6) placing the pole into an acid tank; (7) removing the pole from the acid tank; (8) subjecting the pole to an acid rinse; (9) placing the pole into a flux tank; (10) removing the pole from the flux tank; (11) placing the pole into a heated galvanizing kettle; and (12) removing the pole from the galvanizing kettle.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a steel surface for single-dip aluminium-rich zinc galvanizing. The process steps comprise: cleaning the surface so as to obtain less than 0.6 ?g/cm2 residual dirt; pickling the surface; applying a protective layer to the surface by immersion in a flux solution comprising bismuth. This invention also relates to a continuous steel product coated with a layer of metallic bismuth.

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 multi-layer solid structure and method for forming a thermal interface between a microelectronic component package and a heat sink so that the structure has a total thermal resistance of no greater than about 0.03° C.-in2/W at a pressure of less than 100 psi. The structure comprises at least two metallic layers each of high thermal conductivity with one of the two layers having phase change properties for establishing low thermal resistance at the interface junction between the microelectronic component package and the heat sink.

Abstract: The method of protectively coating metallic uranium which comprises dipping the metallic uranium in a molten alloy comprising about 20-75% of copper and about 80-25% of tin, dipping the coated uranium promptly into molten tin, withdrawing it from the molten tin and removing excess molten metal, thereupon dipping it into a molten metal bath comprising aluminum until it is coated with this metal, then promptly withdrawing it from the bath.

Abstract: An alloy film is fabricated, on the face of a heat exchanger for an integrated circuit, by a process that dispenses various liquids onto the heat exchanger's face. To prevent those liquids from falling off of the heat exchanger's face onto other components which hold the heat exchanger on a frame, the process begins by combining the heat exchanger into an assembly that includes a retainer and a compliant member. The retainer catches any liquids that fall off the heat exchanger's face, and the compliant member forms a seal between the heat exchanger and the retainer which prevents the liquids from leaking onto the other components.

Abstract: A transfer fluxing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is a flux reservoir for holding flux, a compliant pad attached to an opening in the flux reservoir and a means for controlling deposition of flux onto the compliant pad. The apparatus can be attached to an automated component placement machine. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the control means is a valve located within the flux reservoir. The valve is opened by applying pressure to a plunger that extends through the compliant pad. When the plunger is pressed, the valve opens, and flux falls onto the compliant pad. Flux then passes through the pad to a component placement site. A method for automated fluxing and to component placement also is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for placing at least two elements on a surface. The apparatus comprises means for supplying a surface, means for transferring the two elements to the surface, means for adjusting the position of the surface in a first direction, and means for adjusting the position of the transferring means in a second direction and about a rotation axis parallel to a third direction, the first, second and third directions being mutually orthogonal. Recognizing means are provided on at least one of the transferring means for recognizing position alignment marks provided on the surface.

Abstract: A batch process for making galvanized steel products with a low lead or no lead zinc coating is described. Metal parts are cleaned, rinsed, pickled and rinsed and are immersed in a hot, pre-flux solution and thoroughly dried before they are immersed in a molten zinc bath. The dryer system includes a mechanism for rotating the batch of parts as they are dried. In one embodiment of the invention, a batch of steel pipe is dried by hot air having a maximum temperature of 125° C. The descrambler system rotates the pipe and moves the pipe in contact with the divider apparatus to separate the pipe in the dryer. The pipe, thoroughly dried, is immersed into a molten zinc bath having less than 0.05% by weight lead, and the use of a top-flux on the molten zinc bath is optional.

Abstract: A steel material subjected to preliminary treatments to remove an oxide film on the surface is immersed in a molten flux bath in an independent vessel and thereafter immersed in a molten zinc-aluminum alloy bath in a separate vessel to be galvanized with a coating of the alloy. The molten flux bath consists essentially of 5-25 wt % of an alkali metal chloride, typified by sodium chloride, or an alkaline earth metal, and the balance being zinc chloride. The flux bath may additionally contain 1-5 wt % of an alkali metal fluoride typified by sodium fluoride. The method allows for inexpensive, efficient and one-stage galvanizing with a corrosion-resistant molten zinc alloy of a high aluminum content to produce a smooth, uniform and beautiful galvanized layer on the surfaces of various steel materials.

Abstract: In a method of hot-galvanizing ferrous materials, in order to improve results, there is provision, during the course of the galvanizing, for a step for the introduction of various suitable metals, preferably selected from aluminum, potassium, nickel, magnesium and manganese, which are introduced in the form of their salts.

Abstract: A method of bonding a thermally sprayed coating to a non-roughened light metal surface. The method comprises the steps of (a) depositing a coating surface (i.e. a double potassium aluminum fluoride salt) onto such surface which has been cleaned to be substantially free of grease and oils. The aqueous deposition provides a protective coating layer to inhibit oxide growth; and (b) subsequently thermally spraying metallic droplets or particles onto the protective coating surface to form a metallic coating that is metallurgically bonded to the cast surface.

Abstract: A batchwise hot dip plating method is performed by dipping a metallic material in a molten metal plating bath, following fluxing by dipping the metallic material in a bath of a fused salt flux (e.g., a mixture of cryolite and one or more alkali metal chlorides and optionally aluminum fluoride) having a melting temperature at least 5.degree. C. higher than the temperature of the molten metal plating bath, which also serves to preheat the metallic material. In the case of hot dip plating with an Al--Zn alloy, particularly a Zn/55% Al/0.5-2% Si alloy, a bare spot-free plated coating having good appearance can be formed by a reduced duration of dipping in the plating bath without post-plating treatment to remove flux residues. The use of a plating tank having a cross section of a round shape such as a semicircular shape or an oblong semielliptic shape, rather than a rectangular box shape, brings about a significantly extended service life of the plating tank.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making a braze sheet for a brazed assembly. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet of a core material and a composition cladding and mechanically embedding a flux into the sheet.

Abstract: A hot dip coating system comprises a bath of molten coating metal contained in a vessel having a strip passage opening located below the top surface of the bath. A metal strip is directed along a path extending through the strip passage opening and through the bath of molten coating metal, to coat the strip. A plug composed of solidified coating metal surrounds the strip downstream of the strip passage opening and is substantially stationary relative to the moving strip. The plug prevents escape of molten coating metal from the bath through the strip passage opening while permitting the strip to move along its path. Expedients are provided to chill the coating metal downstream of the strip passage opening to form and maintain the plug and to heat that part of the molten metal coating bath which is immediately downstream of the plug.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for hot-dip coating a steel material with a molten aluminum alloy according to a one-stage coating method using a flux which comprises removing an oxide layer on a steel material surface, conducting activating treatment, then coating a chloride flux solution and dipping the steel material in a molten aluminum alloy coating bath floated a fluoride-containing flux, thereby coating the steel material surface with aluminum alloy, or comprises removing an oxide layer on a steel material surface, adjusting surface roughness, conducting activating treatment and dipping the steel material in a molten Al--Zn--Si alloy or Al--Si alloy coating bath floated a flux added an iron component, thereby coating the steel material surface with Al--Zn--Si alloy or Al--Si alloy to adhere a large amount thereof and a aluminum alloy coating bath.

Abstract: A mixture of a dye including one or more water soluble fluorescent dyes and a water soluble solder flux provides simple optical inspection under ultraviolet illumination with simple apparatus. The optical inspection is thus made highly sensitive to the presence of residual water soluble flux after washing and highly specific to the water soluble flux with which the dye is mixed. Thus, optical inspection can assure that all water soluble flux is removed to avoid subsequent corrosion while providing the possibility of leaving so-called "no clean" fluxes in place.

Abstract: A method of brazing is described, the method comprising the steps of applying a layer of particles of an aluminum alloy filler material said particles having a coating of a flux-type material selected from the group comprising a compound of potassium fluoride and aluminum fluoride together, or other inorganic flux-type material, to at least one of said articles such that said particles are retained at or adjacent at least a part of the joint between said articles; heating to cause the flux-type material and said aluminum alloy filler material to melt and form a brazed joint.

Abstract: A method of bonding a thermally sprayed coating to a non-roughened light metal (i.e. cast aluminum-based) surface. The method comprises the steps of (a) depositing a flux material (i.e. potassium aluminum's fluoride containing up to 50 molar % other fluoride salts) onto such cast surface which has been cleansed to be substantially free of grease and oils, such deposition providing a dry flux coated surface, the flux being capable of removing oxide on the cast surface and having a melting temperature below that of the cast surface; (b) thermally activating the flux in the flux coated surface to melt and dissolve any oxide residing on the cast surface; and (c) concurrently therewith or subsequent to step (b) thermally spraying metallic droplets or particles onto the flux coated surface to form a metallic coating that is metallurgically bonded to the cast surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying flux to a series of metallization contacts or plated contact pad a substrate exposed by an apertured solder mask, employs a compressible transfer pad. A central flux pick-up area is formed on the transfer pad bottom surface. The bottom surface may be spherical and may include a cylindrical post onto which a predetermined amount of flux is transferred, such as by dipping the pick-up area into a reservoir of semi-liquid paste flux. The transfer pad is then positioned over and compressed on the solder mask such that the picked up flux on the flux pick-up area of the transfer pad is pressure forced by compression of the transfer pad through apertures in the solder mask directly and successively into all the series of depressions formed on the substrate until all the depressions are substantially filled with flux.

Abstract: In a method of dry process fluxing at least one surface of a metallic article, the surface to be fluxed is treated with a plasma at atmospheric pressure of a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen and optionally at least one inert gas. The invention also concerns an apparatus, particularly for practicing the process, as well as a process for soldering or plating.

Abstract: A joint and a laminate including a nickel-titanium alloy such as Nitinol and a method for preparing the surface of a nickel-titanium alloy member for bonding solder material and, electively, another similar or dissimilar member thereto. The method includes applying a halogen containing flux to the titanium oxide coated surface of a nickel-titanium alloy member and heating the flux to its activation temperature. The flux removes and suspends the titanium oxide therein and deposits a metal from the halogen containing flux on the oxidation free surface. The activated flux also coats the member surface for protection from further oxidation. A bonding material such as a tin-silver solder is flowed onto the tinned surface to displace the activated flux. Electively, another member is applied to the molten solder to form a joint between the two members. The residual flux is cleaned from the joint to prevent further deterioration of the base metal.

Abstract: A process for tinning plated wire involves first the placing of the wire in a suitable chemical flux for a period of time, the wire is then immersed for a period of time into a static solder pot having molten solder therein, the wire is then re-immersed into the chemical flux for a period of time, and finally the wire is immersed for a period of time into an ultrasonic solder pot having molten solder therein, the wire when removed from the ultrasonic pot being sufficiently tinned such that the solder has formed a suitable intermolecular bond to the plating in accordance with typical bonding criteria.

Abstract: A method for coating an annular inclined surface of a part with a powder prior to sintering, in which a lower annular axial surface is provided below and extending the inclined surface of the part. Along the axis of the part, a central tool is arranged having a lower axial surface slidable relative to the lower annular axial surface and an annular inclined surface above the lower axial surface and facing the annular inclined surface of the part. The part and the tool define an annular gap which is closed at the bottom portion and which has an open annular upper end above the annular inclined surface and the inclined surface of the part. The annular gap is filled with a powder through the open upper end which is then closed, and the part with the lower annular axial surface and the central tool are then relatively displaced, causing the inclined surface of the part and the annular inclined surface to become closer and compress the powder against the annular inclined surface of the part.

Abstract: A joint and a laminate including a nickel-titanium alloy such as nitinol and a method for preparing the surface of a nickel-titanium alloy member for bonding solder material and, electively, another similar or dissimilar member thereto. The method includes applying an aluminum paste flux to the titanium oxide coated surface of a nickel-titanium alloy member and heating the flux to its activation temperature. The flux removes and suspends the titanium oxide therein along with leaching titanium from the base alloy member surface to form a nickel-rich interface surface. The activated flux also coats the nickel-rich interface layer for protection from further oxidation. A bonding material such as a tin-silver solder is flowed onto the nickel-rich interface surface to displace the activated flux. Electively, another member is applied to the molten solder to form a joint between the two members. The residual flux is cleaned from the joint to prevent further deterioration of the base metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method generates a stream of atomized fluid for applying a substantially uniform coating of atomized fluid to a surface, such as the application of a liquid flux coating to circuit boards. An ultrasonic atomizer discharges a conical spray pattern of atomized fluid, and an air horn discharges a stream of air intersecting the path of the atomized stream of fluid for entraining the atomized stream of fluid within the stream of air. Two air jets are located on either side of the ultrasonic atomizer relative to each other, and each discharges a low pressure jet of air in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the other. Each jet of air in turn shears the conical spray pattern of atomized fluid into a respective plume of atomized fluid. The two plumes of atomized fluid are then entrained into the moving sheet of air discharged by the air horn, thus forming a substantially uniform linear dispersion of atomized fluid for coating a surface with the atomized fluid.