Abstract: The steel wire for making steel cord used in rubber product reinforcement has a tensile strength, Y in N/mm.sup.2, such that Y.gtoreq.-1960d+3920, wherein d is the wire diameter in mm, and also a flat Vickers hardness distribution in a cross-section perpendicular to a length direction thereof from the surface to the interior, but excluding a central portion having a central portion diameter corresponding to 1/4 of the wire diameter. The steel wire is made by a method including wet drawing a carbon steel wire rod material containing 0.80 to 0.89% by weight carbon to a predetermined intermediate diameter and subsequently heat-treating and plating to form a final raw material and then wet drawing the final raw material to form the steel wire. The wet drawing steps are performed with drawing dies, each of which is provided with a drawing hole having a drawing hole diameter d.sub.1 and the drawing die has an approach angle 2.alpha. equal to from 8.degree. to 10.degree. and a bearing length of 0.3 d.sub.1.

Abstract: An acrylic rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of acrylic rubber containing cross-linkable groups and 2 to 40 parts by weight of tri(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate has quite an unexpected effect on prevention of fixation of its vulcanized rubber moldings to metallic materials or resin moldings when brought into direct contact with the latter due to the presence of tri(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate in the acrylic rubber containing cross-linkable groups.

Abstract: A steel cord adapted for the reinforcement of an elastomer comprises steel filaments of a pearlitic structure. The steel cord has a plastic and elastic elongation at break of x % and a plastic and elastic elongation capability in the vulcanized elastomer of y %, the values x and y fulfilling following equation:y-0.50.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.y+0.50,which means that the total elongation at break does not fall down considerably after embedding the steel cord into an elastomer.

Abstract: A thin silver layer is deposited on the surface of a nonconducting substrate using an electroless process. The surface is cleaned and activated in aqueous solution containing stannous tin. The silver is deposited as a colloidal material from an aqueous solution of a silver-containing salt in the absence of an electric current, but in the presence of a deposition control agent. Optionally, the silver layer is stabilized with an aqueous solution of a platinum-group metal and/or gold. The resulting silver layer is uniform and of 2-2000 .ANG. thickness; it strongly adheres to the substrate.

Abstract: A wire, generally made of steel and used to make composite elements of elastomeric material, is submitted to an electrodeposition process in an electrolytic bath for being coated with a zinc/cobalt alloy in which the average cobalt content is lower than 1%. In the coating thickness made of the zinc/cobalt alloy, different cobalt concentrations exist, that is a 1% to 3% concentration at the area close to the metal and a concentration as low as 0.5% maximum at the overlying area. Adhesion promoters for example consisting of cobalt neodecanate, added to the elastomeric material, promote the adhesion of said elastomeric material to the wire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for electroless metal deposition, which comprises steps of: forming, on the surface of a non-conductive body to be plated, a coating of a resin composition for the electroless metal deposition containing therein a polymer (A) having a chemical structure of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the below-listed (a), and at least one compound selected from the group of the below-listed (b)1 and (b)2; applying a negative electrostatic voltage to the film coating of the resin composition at a temperature level above the glass transition point of said resin composition; thereafter removing the applied voltage at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature; and successively carrying out the metal deposition steps inclusive of the catalyst imparting step and the activating step:(a) a chemical structure, in which a part of hydrogen in the main chain of polymer is substituted with the halogen group or the nitrile group, and a chemical structure having a double

Abstract: A metal wire, having a steel core and being provided with a layer of cladding of a zinc/manganese alloy containing between 5% and 80% of manganese. The wire is used as a reinforcement structure for tires or other products of elastomer material. Several embodiments of a process for applying the cladding on the steel core by electrodeposition of the zinc/manganese alloy are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-based adhesive with enhanced effectiveness for bonding metal and rubber substrates for uses such as vibration damping devices. The adhesive is formulated from a latex which includes at least one conjugated diene and a macromonomer containing at least two ethylene oxide repeat units.

Abstract: A laminated base deck for a disc drive comprising a base portion and side walls extending from the base portion. The side walls mate with a top cover to provide a sealed environment for the disc drive and the base portion supports a disc drive spindle motor and actuator assembly. The base portion and side walls comprise a laminate including an interior structural layer, an exterior structural layer and a core layer disposed between the interior and exterior structural layers, wherein the structural layers provide mechanical support for the disc drive and the core layer provides improved damping of vibrations generated by the operation of the spindle motor and the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Painted metal sheet pretreated with a composite coating including an insoluble, inorganic inner layer and an organic outer layer. The inorganic layer is formed by rinsing the sheet with an alkaline solution containing at least 0.005M of at least one of a dissolved silicate or a dissolved aluminate. The sheet is dried to form an inorganic layer having a thickness of at least 2 .ANG.. The inorganically coated sheet then is rinsed with a solution containing at least 0.1 vol.-% of a hydrolyzed silane and at least 0.02 vol.-% of a hydrolyzed crosslinking agent. The silane treated sheet is dried to form a siloxane layer having an average thickness at least 5 .ANG.. After being painted, the siloxane layer forms an adherent bond between the paint and the metal substrate. The metal preferably is a chromium alloyed steel and may be etched prior to being rinsed with the alkaline solution to remove chromium oxide to further enhance the paint adhesion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave absorber comprising at least one of a unit film as a multilayered film comprising a resin layer (A) optionally containing a pigment and a layer (B) applied onto the resin layer (A), selected from a group consisting of a metal layer, an alloy layer and a partly oxidized layer of the metal layer or the alloy layer, and having a film thickness of 1 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: A noise-damping composite is formed by providing a sandwich of a viscoelastic layer between two metal skins, the viscoelastic layer including electrically conductive particles distributed therein. The sandwich is passed through a series of cells of an electro-galvanizing line, in each cell the sandwich passing through the nip formed between a charged electrically conductive contact roller and an electrically insulating pressure roller for applying sufficient pressure to insure conductivity from the metal skin engaging the contact roller through the viscoelastic layer to the other metal skin, so that the galvanizing metal is plated on only the outer surfaces of the two metal skins.

Abstract: Raw sheet metal substrate (36) passing through an extrusion die (54) is partially laminated with a thin film of plastic (40). A boundary line (42) is formed between the laminated and unlaminated portions of the substrate (36). The sheet metal substrate (36) is folded upon itself so that the plastic laminate (40) bears in pressing relation against the unlaminated portion of the substrate (36) to create a fold (44) sealed against lateral moisture penetration. The unlaminated portion of the substrate (36) may be chrome plated (50). The extrusion die (54) includes an adjustable die member (64) and an adjustable wear plate (78). Alternatively, the extrusion die (54) may include an adjustable extrusion orifice (62) for varying the thickness of the plastic extruded onto the sheet metal substrate (36). Two sheet metal substrates (36') are moved through the extrusion die (54') simultaneously and in back-to-back relation to neutralize reaction forces from the respective emissions of pressurized plastic.

Abstract: A metal wire having the following features:(a) it is formed, at least in part, by a steel having a carbon content of at least 0.1% and at most 0.6% and a boron content of less than 8 ppm;(b) the steel of the wire has a strain-hardened lower bainite type structure (7);(c) the diameter of the wire varies from 0.10 to 0.40 mm;(d) the resistance to rupture of the wire is at least equal to 2800 MPa;(e) the elongation upon rupture of the wire is at least equal to 0.4%.The method according to the invention for producing this wire consists in strain hardening a machine wire having 28% to 90% proeutectoid ferrite and 72% to 10% perlite, thereupon carrying out a heat treatment to obtain a structure of lower bainite type, then effecting a strain hardening on the wire, the temperature of the wire upon the strain hardening being less than 0.3 T.sub.F, T.sub.F being the melting point of the steel expressed in Kelvin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate for reinforcing elastomeric polymers whereby at least part of the substrate is made of steel, said part being covered by a layer of an alloy consisting of, apart from impurities, between 4.2 and 6.5% weight of aluminum, possibly less than 0.1% of at least one element stimulating the wetting ability of the liquid alloy to the substrate and the balance zinc.

Abstract: A metal wire for reinforcing articles made of elastomeric material, especially vehicle tires. The subject wire has a coating formed by two concentric layers of zinc-nickel or zinc-cobalt alloys, the radially inner layer of which has a zinc content greater than 90% while the radially outer layer has a nickel or cobalt content greater than 50%.

Abstract: A rubber hose comprising an inner tube of synthetic resin, an optional undercoat of a metal or metal compound dry plated on the inner tube, a metal thin film sputtered or ion plated on the inner tube or undercoat from zinc, copper, cobalt, titanium, or an alloy thereof, and a rubber layer on the metal thin film exhibits low gas and solvent permeability while maintaining flexibility. Also provided is a low permeable rubber hose comprising an inner tube of synthetic resin, a thin film of a metal or metal compound dry plated on the inner tube, and a rubber layer heat cured to the thin film through an adhesive.

Abstract: A forming process for producing a hard shaped molded article that includes subjecting a moldable thermosetting composition to a high temperature cure condition at a temperature greater than about 250.degree. C. and less than the decomposition temperature of the composition to form a crosslinked polymeric network. In particular, the invention features a forming process for producing a hard shaped molded article that includes the steps of(a) providing a moldable thermosetting composition that includes 1) a polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin which is a liquid at room temperature and which has a molecular weight less than 5,000 and a large number of pendent vinyl groups and 2) a solid butadiene- or isoprene-containing polymer (e.g, a thermoplastic elastomer);(b) forming the composition into a shape; and(c) curing the composition to produce the article including subjecting the composition to a high temperature cure condition at a temperature greater than about 250.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an elongated, coated substrate, whereby the treatment comprises the application by cathode sputtering of a material containing at least one component and whereby the composition of this material has been chosen in accordance with the difference between the composition of the coating or the surface of the coating as measured and the desired composition of the coating or the surface of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bead wires which has a Cu/Sn deposit having an Sn content of 9 to 13% by weight and a Cu content of 91 to 87% by weight, in an amount of 0.65 to 0.85 g per kilogram of the wire. The present invention is also directed to rubber-coated bead wires for tires comprising the plated bead wire as mentioned above, a rubber layer formed on the bead wire from a composition comprising 100 parts of a rubber polymer, 80 to 140 parts of a carbon, 4 to 10 parts of sulfur, 0.4 to 0.9 part of a vulcanization accelerator, 10 to 7 parts of zinc oxide, and 1 to 4 parts of stearic acid, and to tires prepared by using the above-mentioned bead wires. The bead wires of the present invention have excellent adhesion between the plated bead wire and the rubber layer, so that the tires obtained using such bead wires avoid wild wires.

Abstract: Bead wire comprising a core head wire plated with a Cu/Sn deposit wherein the deposit has a Sn content of 9 to 13% by weight and a Cu content of 91 to 87% by weight and the deposit is in an amount of 0.65 to 0.85 g per kilogram of the core bead wire. The bead wires of the present invention provides excellent adhesion between the plated bead wire and the rubber layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a highly corrosion-resistant, colored thin film-coated steel sheet having excellent press-processability and spot-weldability, which comprises a plated steel sheet, a first layer of a sparingly soluble chromate film formed on surface(s) of the plated steel sheet and having a water soluble content of 1 to 30%, a Cr.sup.6+ /Cr.sup.3+ ratio of 0.01 to 1.0 and a total chromium build-up of 10 to 150 mg/m.sup.2 on one surface, and a second layer of a 0.3 to 5 .mu. thick solid coating film formed of an organic solvent-type coating composition, the solid coating film being comprised, based on the weight of the nonvolatile content, of(a) a urethanated epoxy ester resin having a number average molecular weight of 300 to 100,000: 30 to 90%,(b) a hydrophilic polyamide resin having a polymerization degree of 50 to 1,000: 5 to 40%,(c) a silica powder having an average particle diameter of 1 to 100 .mu.

Abstract: A laminated amorphous metal strip has a first layer having at least two side-by-side strips of amorphous metal of unequal widths. A second layer has at least two side-by-side strips of amorphous metal of unequal widths, the layers being in reverse order with respect to the widths of the strips such that the wider strips overlap and form a brickwork cross-section pattern. A flexible polymeric bonding material is disposed between the layers. The polymeric bonding material is an adhesive and has excellent electrical properties. A device for forming the laminated strip of amorphous metal has a plurality of rolls of amorphous metal. Strips from a roll are positioned side-by-side with strips from a wider roll. A bonding material is applied from spray guns to the surface of the strips. Strips from a roll of metal and a wide roll of metal are positioned on the bonding material in a reverse order of the wider strips. Pressure is applied to the laminate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a semi-rigid stratified swinging shield, consisting of at least one layer of a ceramic and/or sintered material, even in the form of a mosaic of adjacent plates (coupled to a carrier), embedded in an elastomeric matrix, said screen being mobile and swinging on one side.

Abstract: A seal for connecting abutting first and second elastomeric sheets having overlying metallic portions including an elastomeric strip. The elastomeric strip is bonded to the elastomeric portions of the first and second sheets. An electrically conductive filler is attached to the metallic portions of the abutting sheets. A metallic layer is then plated to the conductive filler. A layer of flexible and abrasion resistant material adheres to the metallic plate and the metallic portions of the abutting sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel substrate with metal coatings for the reinforcement of vulcanizable elastomers, as well as a method for the continuous manufacture of a thus coated substrate and elastomer objects reinforced with said substrate.The substrate is provided with a first coating and a second coating at least covering part of the first one and a bonding layer being present between the two said coatings. The second coating comprises e.g. cobalt that can be applied by plasma sputtering. The coating combination can be easily adapted to the specific elastomer compositions and the reinforcement requirements aimed at.

Abstract: A composite material made of metal and rubber for use in automotive tires, hoses, conveyor belts and the like. Its object is to increase its durability by improving the adhesion properties between the metal and the rubber. To accomplish this object, a metal provided with an improved plating layer is used in combination with a rubber having such a composition as to be suitable for use with the metal. More specifically, the composite material of metal and rubber contains as basic ingredients a metal plated with a copper-zinc-nickel ternary alloy and natural rubber or synthetic isoplene rubber containing sulfer and adhesion promotors such as cobalt salt of organic acid or silica, resorcin and hexamethylenetetramine. The rubber is vulcanized to be bonded to the metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to metal wire used to produce reinforcing elements for articles of elastomeric material. The wire is provided with a coating ensuring at the same time a good resistance to corrosion, good values of initial adhesion, and a low decay, due to ageing, of the bond with the elastomeric material, said coating being constituted by two concentric layers of a Zn/Ni alloy, where the radially inner layer contains Zn in an amount ranging between 60% and 90% based on total layer and the radially outer layer contains Ni in an amount ranging between 60% and 80% based on the total layer.

Abstract: A brass alloy coating is disclosed which is of use in the manufacture of steel reinforced rubber articles, particularly tires. The alloy contains small amounts of phosphorus, particularly phosphates, and the adhesion between the rubber and brass is thereby improved, especially under high humidity and/or high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A current connection device for use in batteries formed from a plurality of electrochemical cells wherein the electrodes in each cell are to have pressure cushions for isostatic compression and the cells are to operate at increased pressure levels. The device comprises two contact sheets welded to the sides of a metal plate, one to a side, the metal plate with its contact sheets being surrounded by an elastomer frame. A metallic current connection strip is coupled to the plate and extends through the frame to permit coupling the cells together.

Abstract: Steel substrate with brass covering layer to enhance adhesion to rubber particularly in humid atmosphere above ambient temperature wherein said covering layer has at its surface a (Cu/Cu+Zn)-ratio of not more than 0.2 the respective Cu and Zn contents being considered in at. %. In addition the content of carbon and inorganic impurities in the brass surface layer is low. A method for producing said brass covered substrate comprises the steps of shortly heating a normal brass covered substrate at between 250.degree. and 350.degree. C. in a vacuum atmosphere.

Abstract: A vibration isolating mount has a columnar vibration isolating rubber body, an upper retaining plate bonded to an upper end surface of the columnar rubber body, a lower retaining plate bonded to a lower end surface of the columnar rubber body, an upper bracket plate made of nonferrous metal and secured to an upper surface of the upper retaining plate, and a lower bracket plate made of nonferrous metal and secured to a lower surface of the lower retaining plate, and two chemical conversion coating layers formed in a lower surface of the upper retaining plate and an upper surface of the lower retaining plate. Each chemical conversion coating layer is made of one of zinc phosphate and calcium zinc phosphate, and improves the adhesive strength between each retaining plate and the rubber body while preventing each retaining plate from peeling off from the rubber body.

Abstract: An amorphous metal laminate sheet having an excellent electromagnetic wave-shielding effect including a core layer containing at least one amorphous metal sheet layer which may be plated with an electroconductive metal, at least one flexible polymeric coating layer laminated on at least one surface of the amorphous metal-coating core layer, and optionally, at least one reinforcing fibrous fabric layer.

Abstract: A large volume metallic composite container consisting essentially of a plurality of metal plates welded end-to-end, each said metal plate having a stainless metallic layer on the periphery of at least one side thereof and on the ends thereof and a heat-sensitive anti-corrosion coating consisting essentially of a thermoplastic resin on at least one side of each said metal plate and overlapping said stainless metallic layers over a length of at least about 10 mm and at least about 10 mm from the weld used to weld the plates together. The process of making of such containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steel element for reinforcing a rubber article comprises a brass layer and at least one additional outer film of metal or metal alloy selected from the group containing Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, Mb, Va, Ti, Zi, Nb, Ta, Hf and W.

Abstract: A rubber adherable ferrous substrate for use in reinforcing vulcanizable elastomeric products includes a cold worked steel wire having a brass alloy coating of specified compact structure on its surface. There is provided also a process for covering a steel wire substrate with a compact alloy coating, in particular a thin brass diffusion coating having a specified permeability.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium particularly for perpendicular magnetization comprising a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic thin film formed on the surface thereof and including at least two layers, a lower layer with low coercive force and high permeability, for example, of permalloy is sputtered on the substrate and an upper layer for perpendicular recording, for example, of cobalt-chromium alloy is sputtered on the lower layer, and the average grain diameter of the lower layer is less than one half of that of the upper layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium composed of a base material, a 1st magnetic thin layer formed on the base material, and a perpendicularly magnetizable 2nd magnetic thin layer formed on the 1st magnetic thin layer, wherein the 1st magnetic thin layer is composed of a Co-base ternary amorphous alloy containing small amounts of Hf and Ta.

Abstract: A composition for fixing a metal powder molding at sintering, which is used, in the case of disposing a metal powder molding formed by rolling a mixture of a metal powder and a synthetic resin-based binder on a metal base material and sintering the metal powder molding in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, by interposing between the metal powder molding and the base material, comprising a thermosetting resin composition containing a thermosetting resin as the essential component, the amount of the residual carbon of which after the completion of sintering is at least about 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: The bond strength between a sulphur-vulcanizable rubber and a metal, especially brass, is increased by using as bonding promoter a compound having the formula[.sup.- O.sub.2 C CH.sub.2 S--B--S CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2.sup.- ]M.sup.++or a hydrate thereof, where B represents a divalent organic radical and M represents cobalt or nickel.

Abstract: Metal-polymer composite articles, e.g., knobs, nuts, trimmings or ornaments, enclosures for electronic devices, hardware items, plumbing components, household furnishings, and automotive components including grills, headlamp bezels and surrounds, wheel covers, trim, hubs and like parts, having silvery hued metal surfaces comprise surface plating composed essentially of an alloy of tin and Group VIII metal that is durably joined to a supportive solid body containing a directly electroplateable polymeric material, e.g., a composition wherein carbon black and sulfur are combined with a polymer. Polyvinyls, polyolefins, polystyrenes, elastomers, polyamides and polyesters are among the suitable polymers. A durably adherent layer of nickel-based metal is disposed between the body and the surface plating. Durability of the surface plating includes resistance to thermal cycling and to salt spray corrosion.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire comprising: (1) a cylindrical tread portion; (2) side portions located at both sides of the tread portion and extending inwardly in the radial direction; (3) bead portions located at the inner edge portions of the side portions; (4) a carcass comprising at least one ply which is reinforced with a belt arranged on the inside of the tread portion, wherein said belt and/or said carcass ply is reinforced by steel cords; and (5) a rubber composition surrounding the steel cords, wherein said rubber composition comprises: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and dienic synthetic rubber; (b) 0.1-5.0 parts by weight of alkadiene sulfone; and (c) 0.05-1.0 parts by metal weight of at least one metal salt of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of cobalt salt of an organic acid and nickel salt of an organic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the improvement of metal cords for the reinforcement of elastomeric bodies, in particular of vehicle tires which are provided with retaining helixes on their outsides. The problem was to avoid the disadvantageous properties of the retaining helixes in reinforced elastomeric bodies, namely, the impairment of the inherent elasticity of the metal cord and the fretting of the retaining helixes on the outer layer of the metal cord. The problem particularly resided in the improvement of socalled compact cords, meaning cords consisting of layers of identical twisting sense. For the solution of this problem, it is proposed to provide a core strand of shorter twisting pitch (twisting pitch ratio of preferably 1:2 or less) than the twisting pitch of the adjacent outer layer; this in particular in the case of metals cords having more than two layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to molded pieces of plastic having at least a partial metal coating of their surfaces. The surfaces to be coated are roughened up by means of suitable pretreatment so that a good adhesion of the metal coating on the molded pieces is provided. For the support of this metal coating additionally a cover layer is applied. The molded pieces can also consist of shrinkable material which e.g. are also designed in the form of enveloping objects such as cable fittings.

Abstract: A rubber article, such as a vehicle tire, reinforced with steel filaments in the form of cables, cords or wefts. The corrosion speed of the steel is reduced by using rubber having a specific electrical resistance of at least 5.times.107 Ohm centimeter.

Abstract: A composite structure of thin films including alternating layers of relatively high conductivity metals and low conductivity metals to combine the effects of reflection and absorption and thereby maximize the attenuation of the structure. Additionally, a similar structure of layers of materials with differing magnetic permeabilities may be used for the same purpose.

Abstract: Material, in the form of bars, tubes, profiles, wires, sheets, or bands, which is, at least partially, composed of a constituent showing a one-way shape memory effect, and a further inactive constituent hindering the one-way effect of the first, and which collectively exhibits a significant two-way effect. The one-way shape memory constituent can be a Cu-Al-Ni, Cu-Al, TiV, Ti-Nb, Ni-Ti, or Ni-Ti-Cu alloy. Production of bi- or multi-constituent components by brazing, welding, roll bonding, extruding, powder metallurgical methods, hot isostatic pressing, or gluing, or by the application of metallic coatings (2) onto a core material (1) and subsequent diffusion treatment to produce an inactive surface layer (3).

Abstract: This invention reveals a steel wire element useful in the reinforcement of rubber articles in which the steel wire is provided with an adhesive coating comprising a ternary brass alloy containing about 55 percent to about 75 percent by weight copper, about 15 to about 45 percent by weight zinc, and about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight iron. Preferably this ternary brass alloy will contain about 1 to 5 percent by weight iron. The steel wire elements of this invention are useful in the reinforcement of vehicle tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and the like.

Abstract: Metal to rubber adhesion is improved by metal substrates having a coating thereon such as brass, copper, and the like. The coating is applied by an ion beam sputter deposition or, in the alternative, such a coating is partially removed through ion beam etching. The present invention is particularly useful in tire cord construction, metal reinforced belts and hoses, and the like, since articles made therefrom have superior and unexpected moisture aged rubber-to-metal adhesion properties.

Abstract: A method of forming adherent metallized coatings on a substrate which is useful for the manufacture of printed circuit boards as well as other metal coated articles involves providing the substrate with a rubber-modified epoxy surface or coating, sputter etching at least 50 A. from the surface followed by vacuum depositing an adherent thin metal film of Cr, Ni, Ni-V alloy, Pt, Pd or Ti onto the substrate. Another metal layer is then provided over the adherent thin film.