Abstract: A wiping device 14 includes a pair of wiping nozzles 141, a nozzle mask 142, a rotating pin 1431a, a holding portion 1431b, and an arm portion 1432. The pair of wiping nozzles 141 is disposed such that nozzle ports 141a face each other, the nozzle mask 142 is disposed at both ends of the nozzle ports 141a of the wiping nozzles 141, the rotating pin 1431a is connected to an upper portion of the nozzle mask 142, the holding portion 1431b holds the rotating pin 1431a, the arm portion 1432 fixes the holding portion 1431b from above, and the rotating pin 1431a is rotatable around an axis and adjusts the position of the nozzle mask 142.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet having excellent fatigue resistance properties. The method includes an oxidation processing in which a steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 400 to 750° C. in an atmosphere having an O2 concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more and a H2O concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more, and the steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 600 to 850° C. in an atmosphere having an O2 concentration of less than 1000 ppm by volume and a H2O concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more. The method also includes reduction-annealing in which the steel sheet is heated at a heating rate of 0.1° C./sec or more to a temperature of 650 to 900° C. in an atmosphere having a H2 concentration of 5 to 30 vol % and a H2O concentration of 10 to 1000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet having excellent fatigue resistance properties. The method includes an oxidation processing in which a steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 400 to 750° C. in an atmosphere having an O2 concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more and a H2O concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more, and the steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 600 to 850° C. in an atmosphere having an O2 concentration of less than 1000 ppm by volume and a H2O concentration of 1000 ppm by volume or more. The method also includes reduction-annealing in which the steel sheet is heated at a heating rate of 0.1° C./sec or more to a temperature of 650 to 900° C. in an atmosphere having a H2 concentration of 5 to 30 vol % and a H2O concentration of 10 to 1000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: A method of supplying a Zn—Al alloy to a molten zinc pot which accommodates a molten zinc bath in a hot dip galvanizing line, includes: supplying the Zn—Al alloy from a supply portion provided at a lower portion of an insertion guide having a pipe shape, in which the supply portion is immersed between an inner wall of the molten zinc pot on a downstream side in a travelling direction of a steel sheet and a front support roll installed in the molten zinc bath at a depth within ±400 mm from a lower end of the front support roll, and an inside of the insertion guide is pressurized by inert gas to prevent the molten zinc bath from advancing to the inside of the insertion guide.

Abstract: A method which allows process-stable hot-dip coating of Ni-alloy steel flat products in a cost- and resource-effective manner, including the following steps: a) provision of a steel flat product obtained by cold- or hot-rolling; b) within 1-30 s, heating the steel flat product to a holding temperature between 700 and 1100° C., under a heating atmosphere of N2; c) holding the steel flat product at the holding temperature for a holding duration of 10-120 s under a holding atmosphere of N2; d) cooling the steel flat product from the holding temperature to a strip inlet temperature of 430-800° C.; and e) passing the steel flat product through an inlet zone, in which an inert or reducing inlet atmosphere predominates, and passing the steel flat product through a melt bath, wherein TP1>TP2>TP4.

Abstract: The invention provides a high strength steel sheet which exhibits excellent chemical convertibility and corrosion resistance after electrodeposition coating even in the case where the steel sheet has a high Si content, and a method for manufacturing such steel sheets. The method includes continuous annealing of a steel sheet which includes, in terms of mass %, C at 0.01 to 0.18%, Si at 0.4 to 2.0%, Mn at 1.0 to 3.0%, Al at 0.001 to 1.0%, P at 0.005 to 0.060% and S at ?0.01%, the balance being represented by Fe and inevitable impurities, while controlling the dew-point temperature of the atmosphere to become not more than ?40° C. when the annealing furnace inside temperature is in the range of not less than 750° C.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet includes a steel sheet containing, in percent by mass, 0.01% to 0.18% of C, 0.02% to 2.0% of Si, 1.0% to 3.0% of Mn, 0.001% to 1.0% of Al, 0.005% to 0.060% of P, 0.01% or less of S, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, and a galvanized coating layer on each surface of the steel sheet with a coating weight of 20 to 120 g/m2 per surface, in which, when the steel sheet is subjected to annealing and a hot-dip galvanizing treatment in a continuous hot-dip galvanizing line, the dew point of the atmosphere is controlled to ?40° C. or lower in the annealing furnace temperature range of 750° C. or higher.

Abstract: A method of processing an alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may comprise spraying a metallic coating material onto at least a portion of a surface of the alloy workpiece to form a surface coating metallurgically bonded to the alloy workpiece. The surface coating may be more ductile than the alloy workpiece and reduces heat loss from the alloy workpiece.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method for forming a semiconductor assembly including cleaning a connector including copper formed on a substrate, applying cold tin to the connector, applying hot tin to the connector, and spin rinsing and drying the connector.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic wetting layer on the surface of a metal component is provided, including the steps of placing the component into a chemical vapor deposition furnace, placing a metal-containing salt in the furnace, and heating the component and the metal-containing salt in the furnace to cause the metal from the metal-containing salt to deposit in a coating on the surface of the component forming a metallic wetting layer that improves the metallic bond of a subsequently applied brazing material. The process can be practiced with the addition of a cleaning reagent to both clean and coat in one operation.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip. The coating includes an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy containing magnesium and has small spangles. The magnesium concentration is between 1 and 5% by weight.

Abstract: A surface treating method of a metal housing includes the following steps. First, a workpiece is provided. The workpiece includes a surface formed by a metal material. Thereafter, the workpiece is pre-treated to clean the surface of the metal material. Next, a titanium diffusion treating is performed on the workpiece to form a titanium-containing diffusion layer on the surface of the metal material.

Abstract: A high-strength quenched formed body containing a layer on the surface of an after-quenching formed-body steel material in which layer Zn is a major component and which layer contains 30% by mass or less of Fe, and which layer is present in an amount of 30 g/m2 or more. A quenched formed body is produced by quenching a zinc-plated steel material which includes a zinc-plated layer containing each of Al and Si having alloying-retarding function and readily-oxidizing function independently or compositely, in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more, after heating it to 800° C. or more and 950° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 0.1% by volume or more of oxygen.

Abstract: A method is provided for coating a surface of an Fe-based, hardenable sintered, sinter-forged or forged component, and in particular for internally coating the large end bore of a motor vehicle connecting rod with a bearing coating, wherein the coating material applied to the component surface is converted to a molten state during the coating process. A material bond, which is durable even under high loads, is attained between the coating and the base material of the sintered or forged component without any disturbing residual stresses by a simple manufacturing method due to the fact that during the coating process the component surface is briefly heated in the untreated state of the component above the austenitization temperature to a temperature level having a significantly increased diffusion rate within the limits of the outer edge zone having less carbon for reasons relating to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a metal-base/polymer-resin bonded structured body according to the present invention includes the steps of: (1) applying, to a surface of the metal base, a solution containing an organometallic compound decomposable at 350° C. or lower; (2) baking the applied solution in an oxidizing atmosphere to form, on the surface of the metal base, a coating containing an oxide of the metal of the organometallic compound; (3) providing the polymer resin on the coating; and (4) hardening the polymer resin to provide the metal-base/polymer-resin bonded structured body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane system that includes applying to a surface of a porous substrate a layer of a nanopowder of a gas-selective metal and, thereafter, heat-treating the resultant surface treated porous substrate to yield a heat-treated and surface-treated porous substrate suitable for use as a gas separation membrane system.

Abstract: A method for self-assembling a plurality of microstructures onto a substrate comprising using a bonding material to make the microstructure assembled onto the substrate by a physical attraction force. The microstructures are self-aligned with the substrate, and further permanently fixed on and electrical connection with the substrate by the solder bumps between the microstructures and the substrate, which is formed by the solder bumps via reflow process. There is no need for the using of the conventional pick-and-place device in the present method. The present method could be applied to light emitting diodes, RFID tags, micro-integrated circuits or other types of microstructures.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting growth of tin whiskers is provided. The method includes providing a metal substrate, treating the metal substrate by an annealing process, and forming a tin layer to cover a surface of the metal substrate, wherein the surface of the tin layer has no tin whisker.

Abstract: A high-strength quenched formed body containing a layer on the surface of an after-quenching formed-body steel material in which layer Zn is a major component and which layer contains 30% by mass or less of Fe, and which layer is present in an amount of 30 g/m2 or more. A quenched formed body is produced by quenching a zinc-plated steel material which includes a zinc-plated layer containing each of Al and Si having alloying-retarding function and readily-oxidizing function independently or compositely, in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more, after heating it to 800° C. or more and 950° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 0.1% by volume or more of oxygen.

Abstract: Steel sheet having a high {222} plane integration comprising steel sheet having an Al content of less than 6.5 mass % characterized by one or both of (1) a {222} plane integration of one or both of an ?Fe phase and ?Fe phase with respect to the steel sheet surface being 60% to 99% and (2) a {200} plane integration of one or both of an ?Fe phase and ?Fe phase with respect to the steel sheet surface being 0.01% to 15%.

Abstract: A steel strip having a coating of a metal alloy on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The metal alloy contains aluminium, zinc, silicon, and magnesium as the major elements. The metal alloy also contains strontium and/or calcium and unavoidable impurities and optionally other elements that are present as deliberate alloying elements. The concentration of magnesium is at least 1 wt. % and the concentration of (i) strontium or (ii) calcium or (iii) strontium and calcium is greater than 50 ppm.

Abstract: A negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle includes a first bilayer having a first bilayer inner layer and a first bilayer outer layer, and a second bilayer having a second bilayer inner layer and a second bilayer outer layer. The first and second bilayers are joined together along perimeters of the first and second bilayer outer layers and first and second bilayer inner layers, respectively. The first bilayer inner layer and the second bilayer inner layer are made of a first material and the first bilayer outer layer and the second bilayer outer layer are made of a second material. The first material has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the second material.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a hot dip plating system having an annealing furnace for hot dip plating steel sheet containing Si, a continuous annealing and hot dip plating method and system causing internal oxidation without causing surface oxidation of the Si in the steel and avoiding a drop in the plating ability of the steel sheet and retardation of alloying, that is, a continuous annealing and hot dip plating method using an annealing furnace having, in order, a front heating zone, rear heating zone, soaking zone, and cooling zone and a hot dip plating bath, comprising heating or soaking the steel sheet at a steel sheet temperature of a temperature range of at least 300° C. or more by indirect heating, making an atmosphere of the zones one comprised of hydrogen H: 1 to 10 vol % and a balance of nitrogen and unavoidable impurities, making a steel sheet peak temperature during heating at the front heating zone 550 to 750° C. and making the dew point less than ?25° C.

Abstract: A method for making an oxidation resistant article, including (a) depositing a layer of a Pt group metal on a substrate to form a platinized substrate; and (b) depositing on the platinized substrate layer of Pt group metal a layer of a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce and Zr and combinations thereof to form a surface modified region thereon, wherein the surface modified region includes the Pt-group metal, Ni, Al and the reactive element in relative concentration to provide a ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al phase constitution.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate, a yttria-stabilized zirconia coating applied over the substrate, and a molten silicate resistant outer layer. The molten silicate resistant outer layer is formed from gadolinia or gadolinia-stabilized zirconia. A method for forming the coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing luminescent nanoparticles and nanoparticles prepared by such methods are provided. The nanoparticles are prepared by a method in which an additive is included in the reaction mixture. The additive may be a Group 2 element, a Group 12 element, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element, a Group 15 element, or a Group 16 element. In additions, a luminescent nanoparticle is provided that comprises a semiconductive core surrounded by an inorganic shell, an interfacial region and an additive present in the interfacial region or both the interfacial region and the shell.

Abstract: A coated superalloy article is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having a rhenium content of not less than about 4.0 percent by weight, and thereafter depositing an aluminum-containing coating onto a surface of the article substrate. The aluminum-containing coating includes an additive zone having an average aluminum content of not greater than about 27 percent by weight, and a diffusion zone of interdiffusion with the article substrate. A ratio of a thickness of the additive zone to a thickness of the diffusion zone is not greater than about 3:1, and is preferably about 1:1.

Abstract: A method for hot dip galvanizing of hot-rolled steel strip, wherein in a first method step, the strip (50) is introduced into a pickling station (10-13) and a layer of scale and reaction products are removed from the strip surface in the pickling station. In another method step, the strip (50) is introduced into a rinsing station (21-23) and residues of the pickle and pickling products are removed from the strip surface in the rinsing station, and subsequently the strip is introduced into a drying station and is dried. And from there, in another method step, the strip is introduced into a furnace (40) and is adjusted to galvanizing temperature under a protective gas atmosphere. In a last method step, the strip is guided through a galvanizing bath and the surface of the (50) is coated with a hot dip galvanizing layer in the galvanizing bath, wherein the strip temperature in the furnace (40) is adjusted at most to 50° K. above immersion temperature of the strip (50) into the zinc bath.

Abstract: Manufacturing low density components of high surface strength having a polymer or metal matrix substrate and ceramics and/or metal-ceramics coating, wherein the low density substrate to be coated is subjected to: optionally, machining the surface in order to generate residual compressive stress in the outer layers; optionally, thermal stabilizing at a temperature lower than 350° C.; depositing onto the outer surface, with hot spraying techniques at a temperature ranging from 70 to 350° C., of a coating layer in ceramics and/or metal-ceramics material of a surface strength higher than that of the component to be coated, the surface of the coating layer being optionally subjected to a finishing treatment. The disclosure also relates to the product thus obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sucker rod with high resistance to corrosion, to be used preferably in oil wells. Said sucker rod comprises a core of carbon steel, whether alloyed or not, whose surface is coated by a copper base alloy. Said alloy comprises a 50 to 99.9% copper rate. A process for manufacturing said sucker rod is included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a surface through graft polymerization, characterized in that before graft polymerization, the surface is modified, in the presence of an amine of formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or a group R4, R2 and R3 are each independently a group R4, and R4 is [-1,2-C2-C3alkylen-T-]n-H wherein T is O or NH and n is a number from 1 to 3, by a compound having a functional group: wherein R5 to R7 are each C1-C4alkyl. The amount of amine is preferably from 5 to 500 g/m2 of surface of the substrate particle. The amount of the trialkoxysilane compound is preferably from 0.1 to 2 g/m2 of surface of the substrate particle. The process for coating a surface is particularly useful for effect pigments.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine wash process that facilitates reducing a formation of particulate matter within a gas turbine engine is described. The engine wash process includes injecting a first liquid into the engine to remove particulate matter formed within the engine and adversely affecting engine operation and performance. A second liquid is then injected into the engine to facilitate reducing a rate of formation of particulate matter within the gas turbine engine as the engine is operated in the future. More specifically, the second liquid is an anti-static liquid that coats compressor blades within the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving interfacial chemical reactions in electroless depositions of metals, in which the substrate to be plated is pre-heated prior to its immersion in the various processing solutions that require elevated temperatures, and especially before immersion in the electroless plating solution. The pre-heating is carried out to a temperature that is needed to bring about the desired chemical reaction at the substrate-solution interface, allowing the bath of that process step to operate significantly below the temperature that would have been needed if the panel had not been pre-heated, and below the solution temperature of current practice. According to another aspect of the present invention, the electroless plating apparatus for plating a workpiece operates in a vertical mode and it comprises a heating station, with the panel to be plated returning to the heating station as dictated by the temperature required for a given process step.

Abstract: A method for producing coated strands of metal includes guiding a metal strand through the bottom of a vessel filled with a molten mass of the same or different composition as the metal strip, wherein the residence time of the metal strand is selected as a function of at least one of the molten bath level, the casting speed, the metal strand thickness, and the preheating temperature of the metal strand such that the deposited molten mass on the metal strand has a desired thickness of several times the initial thickness of the metal strand. After exiting from the molten bath, the metal strand with a layer crystallized thereon is subjected to a smoothing path carried out when the surface temperature of the strand crystallized thereon is smaller than the solidus temperature of the molten bath, so that at least the surface of the layer crystallized thereon is solidified. The crystallized layer is applied with a thickness which exceeds the desired final thickness of the coated strand.

Abstract: A system for applying a polyurethane coating to a polyolefin floor tile, comprising a conveyor for moving the floor tile past a plurality of treatment devices, including a heater, a plasma generator, an applicator, and an ultraviolet light system. The heater and plasma generator increase the energy of the top surface of the floor tile, and the applicator applies a liquid polyurethane to the top surface while in the energized state. The ultraviolet light system then exposes the polyurethane to ultraviolet light to at least partially cure it.

Abstract: A metal surface which has been cleaned using an alkaline based solution is treated with an acidic solution which contains rear earth ions to remove any smut which may have been produced during the alkaline cleaning. A coating is formed on the cleaned surface using a different acidic solution containing rare earth cations which have multiple valence states. When the surface is reacted with coating solution, an increase in the pH at the metal surface indirectly results in precipitation of a rare earth metal such as cerium onto the surface. Alternatively, after the removal of the smut, the surface may be coated using a painting technique.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite wall with an open cell metal foam core layer bonded to an inner cladding layer and an outer cladding layer. The method involves: creating a core substrate of open cell gas permeable foam in a chosen shape; impregnating the open cell foam substrate with metal vapour and depositing a porous layer of metal on exposed internal and external surfaces of the substrate thereby forming the open cell metal foam core through metal vapour deposition; and forming the inner and outer cladding layers upon the metal foam core through spray application of metal or ceramic.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal-containing layer on a substrate is disclosed. A slurry of the metal is first deposited on the substrate; followed by heating to remove volatile material from the slurry, and to form a layer of the metal. In another embodiment, a slurry of aluminum is deposited over the slurry of the metal, before or after the metal has been heat-treated to some degree. A diffusion heat treatment results in a coating which includes the noble-metal aluminide compound. Related articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of a strip-like metallic composite material by the high-temperature dip coating of a metallic carrier strip, consisting of a metallurgic vessel for receiving the liquid depositing material, through which the carrier strip is capable of being led in a preferably vertical run-through direction by means of pairs of rollers arranged on the entry and the exit side, and of a preheating device for the carrier strip, said preheating device being located upstream of the metallurgic vessel. At the same time, the preheating device (41) is arranged in a housing (61) which is arranged in the entry region upstream of the metallurgic vessel (11) and surrounds the carrier strip (21) and into which the medium coming from a media supply (52) is capable of being introduced via at least one feed (51) led into the housing.

Abstract: A method of providing a resistance to oxidation of Nickel at high temperatures by combining Ni powder with five percent Pt resinate, and heating the same to a temperature of 500° C. to 1300° C. Electro-conductive components serving as electrodes and the like comprise a Ni/Pt powder subjected to temperatures of between 500° C. and the respective melting points of Ni and Pt.

Abstract: A dense or porous coating of material is deposited onto a substrate by forcing a colloidal suspension through an ultrasonic nebulizer and spraying a fine mist of particles in a carrier medium onto a sufficiently heated substrate. The spraying rate is essentially matched to the evaporation rate of the carrier liquid from the substrate to produce a coating that is uniformly distributed over the surface of the substrate. Following deposition to a sufficient coating thickness, a single sintering step may be used to produce a dense ceramic coating. Using this method, coatings ranging in thickness from about one to several hundred microns can be obtained. By using a plurality of compounds in the colloidal suspension, coatings of mixed composition can be obtained. By using a plurality of solutions and separate pumps and a single or multiple ultrasonic nebulizer(s), and varying the individual pumping rates and/or the concentrations of the solutions, a coating of mixed and discontinuously graded (e.g.

Abstract: A sol-gel catalyst composition for electroless plating includes a metal alkoxide in a polar organic solvent, an acid, a chloride salt or acid chloride, and a catalytic metallic salt. The sol-gel catalyst adheres to smooth surfaces without the preconditioning normally associated with other sol-gel smooth surface catalyst, as well as a method for coating a substrate with the sol-gel catalyst composition, and then a metallic platting solution.

Abstract: Valve metal articles such as wire, sheet or powder having a second metal, preferably in a peripheral margin, prepared by coating the valve metal with a salt solution of the metal additive and heat treating in the presence of an oxygen getter to remove the oxygen from the valve metal and the anion of the metal salt to form the metal additive. For tantalum wire a preferred second metal is nickel. A preferred oxygen getter is magnesium. Nickel-containing tantalum wire is useful for enhance bonding to sintered pressed tantalum powder pellets in the production of electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: A heated platen or chuck is employed in connection with a wet chemistry process cell, such as a plating cell for plating a flat substrate. A flow of electrolyte or other wet process solution is introduced into the cell across the surface of the substrate which is mounted on a the chuck or holder. A cathode ring may be disposed to make electrical contact with the substrate. The cathode ring can include a thin metal thieving ring. A fluid-powered rotary blade or wiper may be employed to draw bubbles or other impurities from the substrate, and a megasonic transducer can apply megasonic acoustic energy to the solution. The cell can be used for electroless or galvanic plating. A heater in the chuck heats the substrate to a temperature significantly above that of the electrolyte. Heating the substrate during plating improves the grain structure of the plated metal.

Abstract: A device and a process for producing thin steel metal bars in which an elongated metal product is brought into contact with a molten metal causing the latter to crystallize. Different materials are used for the elongated metal product and the molten metal, whereby one of the materials is a stainless steel. A temperature of the elongated metal product, a temperature of the molten metal and a dwelling time of the elongated metal product in the molten metal are set in such a way that the molten metal crystallizes on the elongated metal product so as to form a layer having a thickness of 2% to 20% of a thickness of the elongated metal product.

Abstract: A process for forming a zinc oxide film including immersing an electroconductive substrate having a surface including a plurality of linear projections in an aqueous solution containing at least nitrate ions and zinc ions to form a zinc oxide film on the electroconductive substrate by a liquid-phase deposition. The plurality of linear projections may preferably provide an uneven surface which has a center-line average surface roughness Ra(X) of 15-300 nm when scanned in a direction parallel to the linear projections, a center line average surface roughness Ra(Y) of 20-600 nm when scanned in a direction perpendicular to the linear projections, and an Ra(X)/Ra(Y) ratio of at most 0.8. The thus formed zinc oxide film is provided with an uneven surface suitable for an optical-confinement layer of a photo-electricity generating device excellent in photoelectric performances.

Abstract: A method for hot-dip coating a steel strip comprises: (a) continuously annealing the steel strip in an annealing furnace; (b) introducing the annealed steel strip into a molten metal coating bath through a snout; (c) dipping the annealed steel strip into the molten metal coating bath; (d) controlling a pressure inside of the snout; and (e) discharging a gas containing a metal vapor from the snout to outside of the snout. An apparatus comprises an annealing furnace, a coating pot, a control device for controlling a pressure inside the snout and a gas discharging device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the metallizing of precision machine parts coupled with heat-treatment and machining to insure the minimal handling the remachining generally required due to dimensional distortion resulting from the standard heat-treatment used in hardening the metallized coating.

Abstract: A copper-tungsten or copper-molybdenum substrate is plated with a nickel/gold plating by first activating a surface of the substrate. In activating, the surface is contacted to a concentrated alkaline solution at elevated temperature, and then to a concentrated acidic solution. The surface is thereafter plated with a nickel strike layer, plated with a nickel primary layer overlying the nickel strike layer, sintered, re-activated in a concentrated acidic solution, plated with a nickel secondary layer overlying the nickel primary layer, and plated with a gold layer overlying the nickel secondary layer.