Abstract: A high areal recording density longitudinal magnetic recording medium having improved thermal stability and signal-to-medium noise ratio (“SMNR”), comprises: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface; and (b) a layer stack overlying the at least one surface, comprising a plurality of vertically spaced-apart ferromagnetic layers, each vertically adjacent pair of ferromagnetic layers being spaced-apart by a respective non-magnetic spacer layer, wherein: (i) at least one of the plurality of vertically adjacent, spaced-apart pairs of ferromagnetic layers forms an anti-ferromagnetically coupled media (“AFC”) component of the magnetic recording medium; and (ii) at least one of the plurality of vertically adjacent, spaced-apart pairs of ferromagnetic layers forms a laminated media (“LM”) component of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A seed layer is formed with a Cr layer in which the direction of a crystal face in at least one crystal grain is oriented in a different direction from the direction of an equivalent crystal face in another crystal grain. Consequently, wettability of the seed layer can be markedly improved and the unidirectional exchange bias magnetic field in a pinned magnetic layer can be increased while permitting the surface of each layer on the seed layer to have good lubricity.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetic recording layer 63 which is formed by using an ordered alloy containing B on a substrate 1 containing an amorphous component. A part of B in the ordered alloy is segregated in a grain boundary, and thus the magnetic interaction, which acts between magnetic grains, can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to form fine and minute magnetic domains in the magnetic recording layer 63, and it is possible to reduce the medium noise as well. The temperature, at which the substrate is heated during the film formation of the magnetic recording layer 63, can be suppressed to be low, because the ordering temperature for the ordered alloy containing B is lower than those of ordered alloys not containing B. Therefore, it is possible to use a substrate made of glass which is suitable for the mass production. The magnetic recording layer 63 is also excellent in thermal stability because of the use of the ordered alloy having high magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk includes a NiP or ceramic glass substrate on which a seedlayer is sputtered in a low pressure inert gas atmosphere, the seedlayer comprising a ternary or quaternary alloy formed from a B2 lattice type alloy such as NiAl, CoTi, CoAl, NiTi, FeTi, CoFe, CoHf, CuZn, CoZr, and MnAl. For quaternary alloys in which elements X and Y are added to the B2 type alloy, X can be chosen from one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Cu, V, Mn, and Zn, and Y can be chosen from one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Nb, Ta, Hf, Zr, Zn, Ag, Au, Pt and Pd. The resulting seedlayer preferably has an A2 lattice structure.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media exhibiting high SNR and high thermal stability are produced by sputter depositing a magnetic alloy overlying a non-magnetic substrate, e.g., on an underlayer, heating to eliminate thermally unstable small grains thereby increasing the average grain size of the magnetic alloy layer but narrowing the grain size distribution, depositing a layer comprising a non-ferromagnetic element, and then heating to diffuse the non-ferromagnetic element into the grain boundaries of the heat treated magnetic alloy layer. Embodiments include heating to diffuse the non-ferromagnetic element leaving a layer comprising the non-ferromagnetic element, at a thickness up to about 3?, on the magnetic alloy layer, with the amount of the non-ferromagnetic element diffused into the grain boundaries of the magnetic alloy layer gradually decreasing from the upper surface of the magnetic alloy layer toward the underlayer.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a high reliability magnetic storage apparatus capable of performing writing and reading back of high density information. The magnetic storage apparatus is so configured as to have a longitudinal magnetic recording medium including: a magnetic layer formed on a non-magnetic substrate via a plurality of underlayers; the magnetic layer including a lower magnetic layer containing Ru in an amount of not less than 3 at % to not more than 30 at %, and Cr in an amount of not less than 0 at % to not more than 18 at %, and further containing at least one of B or C in an amount of not less than 0 at % to not more than 20 at %, and an upper magnetic layer containing Co as a main component disposed thereon via a non-magnetic intermediate layer.

Abstract: A magnetic media structure 200 deposited on glass substrates without a NiP layer having oriented media (ORMRT>1), high coercivity and high SMNR is presented. This media will significantly reduce the cost of making high quality media on glass substrates by eliminating the cost associated with additional steps of depositing a NiP layer and texturing that layer. First glass substrates are mechanically textured to have a surface roughness of about 1 Å to about 12 Å. The first layer of the magnetic structure contains Cr and Ti with a Ti content of 27 to 63 atomic percentage. The second layer contains Co and Ti with a Ti content of 43 to 55 atomic percentage. The third layer is a Cr-alloy layer wherein the alloy is an element chosen from W, Mo, V, Si, Ti, Mn, Ru, B, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Pt. The fourth layer is Co58Cr37Pt5 and the fifth layer is Co61Cr15Pt12B12. Finally, the protective overcoat is typically a hard material that contains hydrogenated carbon.

Abstract: A coated article is provided that may be heat treated in certain example embodiments. A coating of the coated article includes a zinc oxide inclusive layer located over and contacting a contact layer that is in contact with an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver. It has been found that the use of such a zinc oxide inclusive layer results in improved thermal stability upon heat treatment, increased visible transmission, and/or lower sheet resistance (Rs).

Abstract: A coated article is provided that may be heat treated in certain example embodiments. A coating of the coated article includes zinc oxide inclusive layer(s) located under infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of a material such as silver. In certain example embodiments, coated articles are designed so as to realize higher visible transmission and/or lower sheet resistance values.

Abstract: A nickel base single crystal compliant layer on a ceramic blade has the capability to sustain high stresses and high operating temperature. Layers of nickel and platinum bonded on a single crystal superalloy over a sputtered gold-chromium layer support the high stress levels at elevated temperature without extrusion of the soft platinum or nickel layer and without destruction of an NiO compliant surface. The compliant layers have survived stress and temperature conditions without failure to the ceramic blade and the system can be stressed/heated and unloaded/cooled repeatedly without damage to the ceramic blades. A single crystal nickel base superalloy (i.e., SC180) has high strength properties at elevated temperature. Thin layers of chromium followed by gold are e-beam evaporated on one side of a polished surface of the alloy. Pure nickel is electroplated over this e-beam gold-chromium layer. Platinum is either electroplated or plated electrolessly over the nickel layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for high areal recording density that has excellent thermal fluctuation resistance and recording/reproduction characteristics, and a method of producing the same. The magnetic recording medium includes a glass substrate, an NiP layer having an oxide film on its surface provided on the glass substrate, a ground layer provided on the NiP layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer provided on the ground layer. The magnetic recording medium further includes an exchange layer structure composed of a ferromagnetic layer and a nonmagnetic coupling layer provided on the nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a magnetic recording layer provided on the exchange layer structure. The oxide film on the NiP layer is formed by introducing a small quantity of oxygen into a vacuum chamber of a sputter device. The formation and oxidation of the NiP layer are conducted at a temperature of not less than 140° C.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium has an underlayer for leading perpendicular orientation of a perpendicular magnetic recording layer, stacked between a substrate and the perpendicular magnetic recording layer, and thickness of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer is controlled within the range of 5-40 nm to have a negative nucleation field.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a magnetic storage apparatus, which show an excellent S/N ratio and are suitable for ultra high density magnetic recording, are provided. In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a recording layer composed of at least two layers of a main recording layer formed above a substrate and a thermally-stabilizing layer formed on the main recording layer, the thermally-stabilizing layer being formed closer to a surface of the medium than the main recording layer, alloy containing Co and Cr as a main component, which shows a low noise property, is used as the main recording layer, amorphous alloy containing rare earth metals and 3d transition metals as a main component, which is excellent in thermal stability, is used as the thermally-stabilizing layer, and a cap layer formed of alloy containing Co and Cr as a main component is formed on a surface of the thermally-stabilizing layer.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium includes first and second magnetic layers provided on a support substrate such that the first and second magnetic layers have respective first and second magnetizations in an anti-parallel relationship in a state no substantial writing magnetic field is applied. The first and second magnetizations are changed to a parallel relationship when a writing magnetic field is applied to the magnetic storage medium, and the first and second magnetizations are changed to the anti-parallel relationship as a result of a magnetic reversal caused in the second magnetic layer with diminishing of the writing magnetic field. The reversal is caused as a result of the action of a reversing magnetic field that dominates before the writing magnetic field is diminished and becomes zero.

Abstract: A cylinder jacket profile for impression cylinders or sheet transfer cylinders has uniformly distributed elevations with an easy-clean layer as a surface coating. The easy-clean layer has a thickness of less than 5 &mgr;m, in particular 1 &mgr;m, and a surface energy of less than 50 mN/m. The cylinder jacket profile has an improved cleaning behavior. A method of producing an easy-clean layer on a cylinder jacket profile is also provided.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium, a plurality of non-magnetic metallic intermediate layers is laminated between an under-layer and a magnetic layer. One of the intermediate layers is composed of at least an element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Re and Os and contains oxygen, and another is composed of a CoCr alloy containing at least an element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ta, W, Re Os, Ir and Pt. The resulting magnetic recording medium provides reduced costs and improved recording characteristics.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium which includes a base body (1-4), first and second magnetic layers (5 and 7), each being of a ferromagnetic material, and a spacer layer (6) formed between the first and the second magnetic layers for inducing antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the first and the second magnetic layers, the second magnetic layer located farther from the base body than the first magnetic layer includes a primary layer (72) and a secondary layer (71) located nearer to the base body than the primary layer. The primary layer has a primary anisotropic magnetic field while the secondary layer has a secondary anisotropic magnetic field which is smaller than the primary anisotropic magnetic field. The first magnetic layer is for controlling the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a non-ferromagnetic substrate and a magnetic recording film formed on the substrate with an underlayer interposed therebetween, wherein the magnetic recording film comprises a plurality of magnetic layers and an interlayer made of a material having a B2 crystal structure or an interlayer made of Ru, disposed between the adjacent magnetic layers.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. The coating comprises a nickel basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium (300) includes a substrate (1) and on the substrate (1) a first underlying layer (32), a second underlying layer (33), a magnetic layer (34), and a protective layer (35). Because of the existence of the first underlying layer (32) of Hf, initial growth layer having no specific crystal structure is prevented from growing in the second underlying layer (33). The second underlying layer (33) has a structure in which CoO particles having a cross section of a regular hexagon and separated by SiO2 portion are arranged in honeycomb. Since magnetic particles are epitaxially grown from CoO particles, the size of the magnetic particles and particle size distribution can be controlled, and the magnetic interaction between magnetic particles can be lessened. The underlying layer (33) and the protective layer (35) are formed by ECR sputtering. Such a magnetic recording medium is free from noise and thermal fluctuation, and ultrahigh recording density over 40 Gbit/inch2 is realized.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising, in order, a non-metallic substrate; an amorphous metallic film having an amorphous structure; a crystal-structure-regulating film of NiP-based alloy; and a non-magnetic undercoat film and a magnetic film; and wherein the crystal-structure-regulating film has a film thickness of 50 nm or less, and a total film thickness of the amorphous metallic film and the crystal-structure-regulating film is at least 60 nm is disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for data storage uses a magnetic recording layer having at least two ferromagnetic films with different remanent magnetization-thickness (Mrt) values that are coupled antiparallel across a nonferromagnetic spacer film predominantly by the dipole field (Hd) from the grains of the higher-Mrt ferromagnetic film. The material compositions and thicknesses of the ferromagnetic films and the nonferromagnetic spacer film are selected so that Hd predominates over any antiferromagnetic exchange coupling field (Haf) and is greater than the coercive field of the lower-Mrt ferromagnetic film. As a result, the magnetizations of the two ferromagnetic films are antiparallel in the two remanent magnetic states, and thus the net remanent magnetization-thickness product (Mrt) of the recording layer is the difference in the Mrt values of the two ferromagnetic films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-density, low-noise magnetic recording medium. This magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a non-magnetic underlayer formed on the substrate, and a magnetic recording layer formed on the underlayer. The magnetic recording layer contains cobalt as the main component, 10 atm % to 18 atm % of chromium, 5 atm % to 20 atm % of platinum, and 10 atm % to 20 atm % of boron.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium capable of suppressing the effects of thermal agitation and simultaneously reducing the average grain diameter and the standard deviation of magnetic crystal grains constituting a ferromagnetic metal film, without changing the film thickness of a metal under-layer or the film thickness of a ferromagnetic metal layer forming a recording layer, as well as a production method thereof, and a magnetic recording device. The magnetic recording medium includes a ferromagnetic metal layer of a cobalt based alloy formed on a base material with a metal underlayer having chromium as a major constituent disposed there between, wherein a seed layer having at least tungsten is provided between the base material and the metal under-layer, and the seed layer is an islands type film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for electrolytic coating of a substratum, especially a piston ring, with a ceramic chrome layer, the substratum being arranged at an electrode connected to voltage and chromium ions for coating the substratum being present in the electrolyte. Furthermore the electrolyte contains a crystalline carrier structure which is present in the form of ions in the electrolyte, said carrier structure acting as a carrier of the chromium ions which are present in the electrolyte, and being incorporated in the ceramic chrome layer forming on the substratum by the process. The invention also relates to a ceramic chrome layer which is applied to a substratum, especially a piston ring, and is characterised in that the chrome layer is formed by a process as stated above and comprises a crystalline carrier structure.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes an underlayer of a nonmagnetic alloy containing chromium and titanium, a magnetic layer of a Co—Cr—Pt—Ta or Co—Cr—Pt—B alloy, and an intermediate layer of a Co—Cr—Pt alloy and being disposed between the underlayer and the magnetic layer, thereby carrying out high-density information recording and reproducing operation.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a nonmagnetic seed layer provided on the substrate, and a magnetic layer provided on the nonmagnetic seed layer via one or a plurality of layers. The nonmagnetic seed layer is made of NiAl having an oxygen concentration of approximately 1500 to 4000 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium having excellent magnetic read/write characteristics and thermal stability, a method of manufacturing therefor, and a magnetic read/write apparatus. The magnetic recording medium comprises a soft magnetic undercoat film, an orientation control film, a perpendicular magnetization film, and a protective film, that are formed on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the orientation control film has an hcp structure and, at the same time, &Dgr;&thgr;50 of the (0002) orientation plane is set within a range from 3 to 10 degrees and a difference (&Dgr;&thgr;50 (mag)−&Dgr;&thgr;50 (ori)) between &Dgr;&thgr;50 (ori) of the orientation control film and &Dgr;&thgr;50 (mag) of the perpendicular magnetization film is set within a range from 1 to 8 degrees.

Abstract: The coating plant includes a device for running a sheet to be coated along a traveling path past a window for the evaporation or sublimation of elements A an B, sources for the evaporation or sublimation of elements A and element B placed successively in a direction parallel to the traveling path so as to emit elements A and B through the window and a screen for reducing the angle of emission from the source of element B below the limit represented by an exit edge of the window, the screen being mounted so as to move translationally perpendicular to the traveling path and to move along the traveling path between the source of element A and the source of element B so as to obtain either a —A—AB—A— or a —B—AB—B—coating.

Abstract: A metallic component exposed to high temperature steam is provided with a coating comprising a thin primer layer deposited on the surface of the metallic component and a thicker overlay layer on top of the primer layer. The primer layer consists of highly ductile, oxidation resistant material such that it remains free of any defects over a long period of exposure. The overlay layer consists of an oxidation resistant, less ductile, and low-cost material. It protects the thin primer layer from mechanical damage and chemical degradation. The primer layer protects the base material of the metallic component from oxidizing steam that may penetrate through cracks of the overlay layer. Due to suitable choice of coating materials and thicknesses of the layers the coating is low-cost.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element including a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetic layer; hard bias layers for orienting the magnetic vectors of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer; and a conductive layer for supplying a sense current is provided. The hard bias layers are provided at the two sides of the free magnetic layer. The hard bias layers and the free magnetic layers are in contact with each other at least partly. Bias underlayers are provided at the bottom of the hard bias layers.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a layer system for the decorative coating of galvanizable work pieces. In order to have a layer system which meets strict requirements with regard to corrosion resistance and which, at the same time, has a high abrasion resistance and, in addition, provides a high degree of freedom with regard to decorative coloration, the invention proposes a layer system which is formed by galvanic deposition and comprises a base coat consisting of at least one bright layer and one discontinuous chrome layer as well as a cover coat of mechanically resistant materials deposited by the PVD process.

Abstract: A high areal recording density magnetic recording medium having improved thermal stability comprises: a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface; and a layer stack overlying the at least one surface, comprised of at least one layer pair composed of first and second superposed ferromagnetic layers spaced-apart by a magnetic coupling structure comprising a thin non-magnetic spacer layer and at least one thin ferromagnetic interface layer at at least one interface between the non-magnetic spacer layer and the superposed ferromagnetic layers; wherein the thickness of the ferromagnetic interface layer is selected to provide enhancement of the magnetic coupling between the pair of ferromagnetic layers, thereby increasing the thermal stability of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises, in overlying sequence from a surface of a non-magnetic substrate: at least one Cr-containing or B2-structured underlayer; a substantially non-magnetic CoCrPt alloy intermediate layer; and at least one CoCrPtB ferromagnetic alloy recording layer; wherein the intermediate layer of substantially non-magnetic CoCrPt alloy has a composition which facilitates Co (11.0) or (10.0) crystallographic orientation of the at least one CoCrPtB ferromagnetic alloy recording layer.

Abstract: A spray powder to be used for forming a coating, which comprises from 80 to 97 wt %, based on the total weight, of a cermet powder and from 3 to 20 wt %, based on the total weight, of a metal powder, wherein the metal powder comprises Cr and Ni in a total amount of at least 90 wt %, based on the total weight of the metal powder, and the content of Cr is from 0 to 55 wt %, based on the total weight of the metal powder.

Abstract: A flash chromium capping layer is deposited on a magnetic layer for improved corrosion resistance, reduced poisoning due to the absence of a protective overcoat or presence of discontinuities in a protective overcoat, and for reduced media noise do to inter-granular exchange coupling. Embodiments include depositing a flash chromium layer having a thickness up to about 10 Å on an upper magnetic layer and depositing an overlying lubricant topcoat. An optional protective overcoat, such as a carbon-containing protective overcoat, can also be deposited on the chromium capping layer. The chromium capping layer forms a protective oxide coating where exposed, as due to the absence of or at discontinuities in the protective overcoat.

Abstract: A steel sheet for magnetic shields is provided containing 0.15% by weight or less of C and having a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm and an anhysteretic magnetic permeability of 7500 or higher.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes at least one magnetic layer, a ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic coupling layer provided between the magnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer, and a coupling intensifying region which intensifies an exchange coupling strength between the magnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer. The coupling intensifying region is provided at, at least one of a boundary between the ferromagnetic layer and the nonmagnetic coupling layer and a boundary between the nonmagnetic coupling layer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a first underlayer having at least one of an amorphous structure and a fine crystal structure formed on the non-magnetic substrate, a second underlayer having a body-centered cubic structure formed on the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the second underlayer, and a magnetic layer having the hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer is composed of an alloy containing Co and Ru.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a composite cylinder. On top of said composite cylinder (1) is drawn or extruded a metal casing (2), whose metal surface is modified a metal treatment process and/or plated with a coating layer.

Abstract: At least a portion of a free layer structure in a spin valve sensor is composed of nickel iron molybdenum (NiFeMo) so that the free layer structure does not have to be reduced in thickness in order to have a reduced magnetic moment for responding to lower signal fields from smaller bits on a rotating magnetic disk.

Abstract: A high density recording medium excellent in a coercive force and excellent also in read write characteristics such as N/S ratio and thermal stability of the magnetic recording layer, and a magnetic recording apparatus employing it, are presented. A magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate and, formed sequentially thereon, at least a non-magnetic interlayer made of a Co alloy and a Co alloy magnetic recording layer, wherein the crystal structures of the interlayer and the magnetic recording layer are both hcp structures, and the relation between the crystal lattice constant (Li) of the interlayer and the crystal lattice constant (Lm) of the magnetic recording layer, satisfies the following formula: |Lm−Li|/Lm<0.019 and a magnetic recording apparatus employing it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer deposited on a substrate through a single-layer underlayer or a multilayer-underlayer, the magnetic layer includes magnetic crystal grains having an acicular structure or amorphous magnetic particles, an average grain size of the magnetic grain and a grain-size dispersion normalized by the average grain size are less than 16 nm and less than 0.5, respectively, a value Ku·v/kT which results from dividing a product of a magnetic anisotropy constant Ku and a volume v of the magnetic grain by a product of a Boltzmann constant k and an absolute temperature T is selected to be greater than 60, and a film thickness of the magnetic layer falls within twice of the average grain size.

Abstract: A coated article, and a corresponding method of making the same are provided. The coated article includes a coating supported by a substrate, the coating including a thin metal or metal nitride contact layer (e.g., NiCr, Ni, Cr, CrNx or NiCrNx) located directly between and contacting an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) and an oxide barrier layer (e.g., NiCrOx).

Abstract: A magnetic recording system includes an in-plane magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer fabricated on a single underlayer or on a plurality of underlayers respectively fabricated on a substrate; a driver unit for driving the in-plane magnetic recording medium in a write direction; a magnetic head having a read unit and a write unit; a unit for moving the magnetic head relative to the in-plane magnetic recording medium; and a read/write signal processing unit for reading an output signal from the magnetic head and writing an input signal to the magnetic recording media, wherein the read unit of the magnetic head is a magnetoresistive head and the single underlayer or at least one of the plurality of underlayers is made of Co-containing amorphous material or fine crystal material, or is made of alloy material, the alloy material having as the main components at least one element selected from a group consisting of Cr, Mo, V and Ta and containing at least one element selected from a group consisting o

Abstract: A bi-crystal magnetic recording media, i.e., media with Cr(200) and Co(11.0) orientations, comprising non-metallic substrates, CrTi or NiPOx seed layers, B2-structured CoTi first underlayers, Cr-alloy second underlayers, and Co-alloy magnetic layers have high coercivity, high SMNR and high areal recording density.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chrome-plated sliding member free from periodical decreases in wear resistance or seizure resistance without the necessity to intentionally bend a multi-layer hard chrome plating film. This is a sliding member having a multi-layer hard chrome plating film on the sliding surface of the substrate 1. Microcracks 6 opening to the outer surface side of the individual hard chrome plating layers are distributed in hard chrome plating layers 2, 3, 4 and 5. The microcracks of the individual hard chrome plating layers comprise relatively shallow portions 6a where bottoms stop within a single layer, and relatively deep portions 6b and 6c where cracks run through two or more layers. The quantities of the microcracks expressed by the area ratios of microcracks on a cross-section of the hard chrome plating film include a quantity of the portions where cracks stop within a single layer within a range of from 1.5 to 35.

Abstract: A method for applying a passivation layer selectively on an exposed silicon surface from a liquid phase solution supersaturated in silicon dioxide. The immersion is conducted at substantially atmospheric temperature and pressure and achieves an effective passivation layer in an abbreviated immersion time, and without subsequent heat treatment. In one embodiment, rapid coating of a wafer back side with silicon dioxide permits the use of a high-speed electroless process for plating the bond pad with a solder-enhancing material. In another embodiment, the walls of via holes and microvia holes in a silicon body may be passivated by immersion in the supersaturated solution prior to plugging the holes with conductive material.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium according to the invention includes a plastic substrate, a non-magnetic under-layer on the substrate, a magnetic layer including cobalt on the under-layer, a protective film on the magnetic layer, and a liquid lubricant layer on the protective film. The under-layer is composed of a chromium alloy having a body centered cubic lattice structure, and containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru and Pd in a total amount of at least 15 at %, or containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Ta, W, Re, Pt and Au in a total amount of at least 10 at %. The amount of cobalt dissolved out of the magnetic layer is limited by performing sputtering deposition of at least the magnetic layer at low pressures of argon.

Abstract: An article, particularly a metallic article, is coated with a multi-layer coating having the color or appearance of dark copper. The coating comprises a chromium, refractory metal or refractory metal alloy adhesion promoting layer, a titanium-zirconium alloy nitride or titanium-zirconium alloy carbonitride protective and color layer, and a titanium-zirconium alloy oxide or titanium-zirconium oxynitride color enhancing layer.