Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which has a film with a spin valve structure or an artificial lattice film having good soft magnetic characteristics, and which can be applied to a high-sensitivity magnetic head. The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element including a stacked film formed on a substrate by sequentially stacking a ferromagnetic film containing as its main constituents at least one elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni, a nonmagnetic film, and the ferromagnetic film, wherein the two ferromagnetic films are not coupled with each other, and the closest packed plane of each ferromagnetic film is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the film surface.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride layer, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which has a film with a spin valve structure or an artificial lattice film having good soft magnetic characteristics, and which can be applied to a high-sensitivity magnetic head. The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element including a stacked film formed on a substrate by sequentially stacking a ferromagnetic film containing as its main constituents at least one elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni, a nonmagnetic film, and the ferromagnetic film, wherein the two ferromagnetic films are not coupled with each other, and the closest packed plane of each ferromagnetic film is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the film surface.

Abstract: A materials system in which exchange coupling is achievable has the potential for allowing direct overwriting of data and comprises at least two multilayer films of platinum and cobalt with independently controlled coercivity and Curie temperatures.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises the multilayer formed by alternately stacking magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The magnetic layers containing three magnetic elements of Fe, Co and Ni. Any two magnetic layers adjacent to each other with one of the nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween are antiferromagnetically coupled under a condition where a magnetic field is not substantially applied thereto.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which has a film with a spin valve structure or an artificial lattice film having good soft magnetic characteristics, and which can be applied to a high-sensitivity magnetic head. The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element including a stacked film formed on a substrate by sequentially stacking a ferromagnetic film containing as its main constituents at least one elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni, a nonmagnetic film, and the ferromagnetic film, wherein the two ferromagnetic films are not coupled with each other, and the closest packed plane of each ferromagnetic film is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the film surface.

Abstract: Coated nickel, cobalt or nickel-cobalt superalloy bodies having increased resistance to oxidation, corrosion and thermal fatigue at high temperature are produced by applying a thin layer of a platinum-group metal, siliciding and heating to an elevated temperature to diffuse and integrate the silicided platinum-group metal into the surface of the superalloy body. Then the superalloy body is exposed to a diffusion powder composition containing sources of aluminum or aluminum/chromium metals and heated in a hydrogen or inert gas atmosphere to an elevated temperature to codeposit and diffuse aluminum or aluminum and chromium into the silicided platinum-group metal-treated surface layer.

Abstract: A magneto optical disc, is provided with: a record layer to which information is recorded in a perpendicular magnetization condition; a switch layer, which perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is reduced at a room temperature and is increased at a temperature close to a predetermined reproduction temperature; and a reproduction layer opposed to the record layer through the switch layer to have a switched connection with the record layer by the switch layer.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: A [(Pt/Co/Pt)/Pd] multilayer thin film (40) provides improved perpendicular anisotropy and magnetic coercivity relative to Pt/Co multilayer thin films (10) without reducing the Kerr rotations provided by the component Pt/Co layers (44, 48, 46). [(Pt/Co/Pt)/Pd] multilayer thin films (40) comprise a substrate (26), an optional underlayer (110) including a crystallographically textured layer (114) of Pt and a crystallographically textured layer (116) of Pd, and several quadlayers (42) of Pt, Co, and Pd forming a periodic array (43) in the direction of the normal to the substrate (26). Each quadlayer (42) of the periodic array (43) typically comprises a first layer (44) of Pt atoms approximately one to two atomic monolayers thick, a layer (46) of Co between one and three atomic monolayers thick, a second layer (48) of Pt of substantially the same thickness as the first layer (44) of Pt, and a layer (50) of Pd that is at least as thick as the Pt layers.

Abstract: In an artificial superlattice magnetoresistance effect element in which two or more of magnetic thin film layers having different coercive forces are stacked with intervening of a non-magnetic film layer and resistance changes depending on directions of magnetization in adjacent magnetic thin film layers by utilizing differences in the coercive forces, an anisotropy magnetic field Hk is increased by reducing a thickness of a soft magnetic layer, anisotropy in the magnetic thin film layer is obtained by forming the magnetic thin film layer in a magnetic field to thus increase the Hk, a material having large Hk is used as a soft magnetic material for the soft magnetic layer, and further the anisotropy is obtained by reducing a pattern width into 1-30 .mu.m to thus increase the Hk, whereby the resistance change is achieved in the neighborhood of a zero magnetic field and thus no bias mechanism is required.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium strike layer deposited on the nickel layer, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the palladium strike layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride layer, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate, and an artificial superlattice deposited on the substrate as a vertical magnetization film. The artificial superlattice is a Co/Pt artificial superlattice which is composed of alternate Co and Pt layers deposited on the substrate. The magnetic recording medium is fabricated by the steps of: disposing a Co target and a Pt or Pd target separating from a substrate; performing an RF sputtering to the substrate by alternately facing the substrate with the Co target and the Pt or Pd target by means of periodical movement of the substrate, thereby forming a Co/Pt or Co/Pd artificial superlattice) on the substrate; and performing heat treatment to the Co/Pt or Co/Pd artificial superlattice at a temperature T in the range of 200.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. inclusive.

Abstract: Thin layers of aluminum (13) and palladium (12) are deposited and annealed to produce aluminum-palladium alloy (14). The surface of the alloy (14) is exposed and treated with an aluminum etchant to produce a catalytic surface (15). The catalytic surface is used for electroless plating of nickel, providing excellent plating uniformity and adhesion, as well as a reduced plating induction time. Several variants of the basic method are possible.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises the multilayer formed by alternately stacking magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The magnetic layers containing at least two magnetic elements selected from a group of magnetic elements consisting of Fe, Co and Ni. Any two magnetic layers adjacent to each other with one of the nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween are antiferro-magnetically coupled under a condition where a magnetic field is not substantially applied thereto.

Abstract: A beta titanium-fiber reinforced composite laminate comprising at least one layer of beta titanium alloy and at least one layer of fiber reinforced composite, wherein the layer of beta titanium alloy has a yield strength to modulus of elasticity ratio that is substantially similar to the strength to modulus of elasticity ratio of the first layer of fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: A magnetooptic medium which includes a substrate, an amorphous seed layer and a recording multilayer layer. The seed layer is ITO, Si or SiC, and the recording multilayer includes alternating layers of cobalt/platinum or cobalt/palladium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A magnetooptic medium which includes a substrate and a seed layer having at least two layers including a first layer of amorphous ZTO or ITO formed on the substrate and a metal layer formed on the first layer and a recording multilayer structure deposited on the seed layer.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which has a film with a spin valve structure or an artificial lattice film having good soft magnetic characteristics, and which can be applied to a high-sensitivity magnetic head. The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element including a stacked film formed on a substrate by sequentially stacking a ferromagnetic film containing as its main constituents at least one elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni, a nonmagnetic film, and the ferromagnetic film, wherein the two ferromagnetic films are not coupled with each other, and the closest packed plane of each ferromagnetic film is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the film surface.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises the multilayer formed by alternately stacking magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The magnetic layers containing at least two magnetic elements selected from a group of magnetic elements consisting of Fe, Co and Ni. Any two magnetic layers adjacent to each other with one of the nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween are antiferromagnetically coupled under a condition where a magnetic field is not substantially applied thereto.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium includes a substrate, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer provided on the substrate and being a multilayered film formed by alternately laminating two or more combinations of Co layer and Pt layer, and a ground layer provided between the substrate and the recording layer. The ground layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of composite oxides containing Y, Ba and Cu, TiC, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, Si, intermetallic compounds between Si and a metal, SiC, SrTiO.sub.3 and CeO.sub.2.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for superalloy turbine engine vanes and blades that are exposed to high temperature gas is disclosed. The coating includes a ceramic layer applied to an Aluminide or MCrAlY bond coat by electron beam physical vapor deposition. The ceramic layer has a first portion having unstabilized porosity, a second portion, overlying the first portion, with stabilized porosity, and an outer portion wherein the pores are coated with a noble metal. The stabilized porosity portion along with the noble metal coating reduce the thermal conductivity of the ceramic layer. Stabilizing the porosity renders it more resistant to sintering densification at high temperatures.

Abstract: A lead frame material comprises a base plate consisting of copper or copper alloys, and a protective coating formed on the upper or the both surface of the base plate. The protective coating is composed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, gold alloy, silver, silver alloy, palladium and palladium alloy, and has a thickness of 10-500 angstrom. The protective coating is formed by means of vapor deposition. It is possible to form an intermediate coating of nickel or nickel alloys between the surface of the base plate and the protective coating, by means of vapor deposition or wet plating. The suitable thickness of the intermediate coating is within the range of 50-20000 angstrom.

Abstract: A garnet polycrystalline film for a magneto-optical recording medium including at least two layers of polycrystalline garnet represented by Bi.sub.x R.sub.3-x M.sub.Y Fe.sub.5-Y O.sub.12, where 0.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.3, 0 Y.ltoreq.5, R represents one or more rare earth elements containing yttrium, and M represents Ga, Al or In, wherein crystal lattice constants of these adjacent two layers are different from each other by .+-.0.3% or more, and an average crystal grain diameter of one of the layers is smaller than that of the other layer and 1 .mu.m or less, and a magneto-optical recording disk using this garnet polycrystalline film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic alloy layer formed on the substrate with a non-magnetic primer layer containing chromium as the main component interposed therebetween, wherein the magnetic alloy layer contains cobalt and nickel as the main components and not more than 8 atomic % of boron and has been formed by sputtering under such a condition that a negative bias voltage is applied to the non-magnetic substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nickel base superalloy having an improved combination of stress rupture life and microstructural stability with respect to the formation of TCP phases. A unique feature is the specific combination of the content of elements consisting of Al, Ti and W in a second range defined by their sum in a nickel base superalloy having high contents of rhenium, in excess of 1.3 atomic percent (about 4.0 weight percent) to lower the propensity for TCP phase formation and thus render the alloy more stable at high temperatures. The interaction of Ru with the remaining elements to modify the refractory element phase partitioning provides unique capabilities, causing elements to partition to the gamma phase or the gamma prime phase in a reverse direction than normally experienced in Ni-base superalloys. These Ni-base superalloys are termed Ru-containing Reverse Partitioning Ni-base Superalloys.

Abstract: A cobalt-platinum (CoPt) magnetic film is deposited onto a chromium (Cr) or tungsten (W) underlayer on a substrate, or is deposited directly onto the substrate and has an appreciable component of its C-axis which is parallel go the [00.2] direction, lying in the plane of the film whereby the resultant magnetic films exhibit coercivities from 2100-3000 oersteds.

Abstract: A nickel base superalloy capable of being made into a single crystal article is provided with high temperature strength and improved stability by limiting the presence of an undesirable SRZ constituent. Significant to the control of formation of such undesirable constituents is the control of the amount of Re in the alloy in combination with elements such as Al, Cr, Ta, Mo, Co and W. A solution heat treatment is provided for additional control.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium has on the substrate a recording layer made of a multi-layered metallic thin film comprising a first unit layer and a second unit layer. The first unit layer is composed of (Fe.sub.x Co.sub.1-x).sub.1-y M.sub.y where M represents at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Au, 0.5.ltoreq..times..ltoreq.1.0, and 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.1. The second unit layer is composed of a% least one metal selected from the group consisting of Nd, Dy, Gd and Tb. The first and second unit layers are superimposed alternately one on another.

Abstract: A lead frame for a semiconductor device includes a base layer which is coated by a protective coating. The protective coating includes a layer of nickel, over which is coated a layer of copper. The layer of copper is coated by a layer of silver over which is coated a layer of palladium. Protective coatings constructed in this way are bondable, solderable, oxidation resistant, corrosion resistant, free of lead (Pb), resistant to high temperatures, cost effective, and cosmetically acceptable.

Abstract: A magnetooptic medium which includes a substrate, an amorphous seed layer of ZnSnO, and a recording multilayer layer. The recording multilayer includes alternating layers of cobalt/platinum or cobalt/palladium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A coated article comprises a base article having a substrate made of a material selected from the group consisting of a nickel-base alloy and a cobalt-base alloy, an intermediate metallic coating structure, and a thermal barrier coating. The intermediate metallic coating structure may be a protective layer of platinum, rhodium, or palladium on the base article, with no bond coat. The intermediate metallic coating may also be a bond coat, either oxidized or unoxidized, with a protective layer of platinum, rhodium, or palladium thereon. The protective layer typically partially interdiffuses with the underlying metallic structure.

Abstract: A magnetooptic medium which includes a substrate, a crystalline seed layer of ZnO, and a recording multilayer layer. The seed layer is ZnO, and the recording multilayer includes alternating layers of cobalt/platinum or cobalt/palladium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A tape useful for an automatic bonding process when manufacturing a high-frequency semiconductor device, the tape comprising an insulating flexible film, and circuit patterns consisting of copper or copper-alloy formed on the insulating film, each of the circuit patterns having inner and an outer lead portions. A tin or tin-lead plated film is formed on the pattern, and an intermediate plated film is formed on at least the outer lead portion as an underlayer. The intermediate plated film consists of a metal or metal alloy selected from nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, indium or rhodium.

Abstract: A magnetooptic recording medium comprises a substrate and a recording layer which is provided on the substrate and is formed by periodically laminating a plurality of fundamental units. Each of the fundamental units comprises a first layer made of Co, a second layer made of a material selected from Pt, Pd, and Pt-Pd alloy, a third layer made of Co, and a fourth layer made of at least one kind of element selected from Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er.

Abstract: A clad bonding wire for electrically connecting the bonding pad of a semiconductor device to an external lead comprises a core wire formed on one of high-purity Pd or a Pd alloy, high-purity Au or a Au alloy, high-purity Pt or a Pt alloy, and high-purity Ag or a Ag alloy, and a cladding cladding the core wire and formed of another one of the foregoing materials other than that forming the core wire. The wire-to-cladding diameter ratio D.sub.2 /D.sub.1 is in the range of 15% to 60% or 85% to 99. When the tip of the clad bonding wire is heated to form a ball, part of the core wire and part of the cladding in a neck formed behind the ball diffuse into each other to form an alloy of the materials forming the core wire and the cladding between the core wire and the cladding to enhance the mechanical strength of the neck beyond that of other portion of the clad bonding wire.

Abstract: Pinning wires suitable for use in turbine blade manufacture comprise palladium alloyed with one or more noble and/or refractory metals, and are substantially more cost effective than conventional pinning wires.

Abstract: A metal surface is now described having enhanced adhesion of subsequently applied coatings combined with excellent coating service life. The substrate metal of the article, such as a valve metal as represented by titanium, is provided with a highly desirable rough surface characteristic for subsequent coating application. This can be achieved by various operations including etching and melt spray application of metal or ceramic oxide to ensure a roughened surface morphology. Usually in subsequent operations, a barrier layer is provided on the surface of enhanced morphology. This may be achieved by operations including heating, as well as including thermal decomposition of a layer precursor. Subsequent coatings provide enhanced lifetime even in the most rugged commercial environments.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to improve a method of deposition of coatings upon a metal or alloy substrate. The coating comprises aluminum or aluminide material interdiffused with a transition metal deposited by chemical vapor deposition which utilizes organometallic precursors to facilitate the deposition of the transition metal. The improvement permits better control of the process and permits coating of complex substrates including those with internal passages or holes. In the embodiment involving a first deposition of aluminum or aluminide coating, applicants have achieved deposition thereon of the transition metal. Platinum is the preferred transition metal to be used in the subject method. A product is taught. This product can be a component from a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A nickel base superalloy capable of being made into a single crystal article is provided with high temperature strength and improved stability by limiting the Presence of an undesirable SRZ constituent. Significant to the control of formation of such undesirable constituents is the control of the amount of Re in the alloy in combination with elements such as Al, Cr, Ta, Mo, Co and W. A solution heat treatment is provided for additional control.

Abstract: The MTS radiator consists of planar arrays of micro-tube strip modules, each of which contain two or three rows of about 200 properly spaced microtubes per row. The three-dimensional tubular titanium structure with support members between microtubes maximizes stiffness and strength per mass. The working fluid--typically hydrogen at 0.1 to 1 MPa--circulates through the microtubes, and most of the radiation occurs from their walls, which are only 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick. This allows specific mass below 1 kg/m.sup.2. The operating temperature range is typically 200-650 K. The radiator's radiating surface comprises a heavily oxidized, metal alloy with a corrosion resistant, refractory alloy film deposited on it.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a magnetic thin film of a composition expressed as (Co.sub.a Pt.sub.b M.sub.c.sup.I M.sub.d.sup.II) Ox (where a, b, c, d are atomic percent; and x is weight percent). In this composition, a+b+c+d=100, 0<a, 0<b.ltoreq.50, 0<c.ltoreq.20, 0<d.ltoreq.20, 0<x.ltoreq.10. M.sup.I is at least one element selected from P, Si and Ge; and M.sup.II is at least one element selected from B, Ga, Al, In, Sn and Sb. Such magnetic thin film is capable of retaining a large coercive force regardless of its thickness and can be formed without the necessity of raising the base temperature during deposition of a magnetic layer.

Abstract: A thin film of an amorphous alloy comprising (i) at least one element selected from Fe and Co, (ii) at least one element selected from Pt and Pd and (iii) at least one element selected from (a) 3d transition elements other than Fe and Co, (b) 4d transition elements other than Pd, (c)5d transition elements other than Pt, (d) light rare earth elements, (e)Group III B elements, (f)Group IV B elements, (g)Group V B elements, and (h)Group VI B elements, and the film having an easy axis of magnetization perpendicular to the film face. The thin film has excellent magnetooptical characteristics including increased coercive force and large Kerr-rotation angle and Faraday-rotation angle, and is excellent in resistance to oxidation and In consequence the coercive force and Kerr-angle of the film do not substantially change with time. The film has a high reflectance as well.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium that uses, as a protective coating layer provided on a magnetic layer for magnetically recording signals, a layer made of a nonmagnetic material consisting of two ore more elements of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W, and one or more elements of N, C, O, and B, or made of a magnetic material consisting of one or more elements of Co, Fe, Ni, and Gd, one or more elements of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W, and one or more elements of N, C, O, B, and Si is excellent in sliding endurance. When the protective coating layer is made of the nonmagnetic material, the magnetic recording medium is also excellent in corrosion resistance, and when the protective coating layer is made of the magnetic material, the spacing between a magnetic head and the magnetic recording medium can advantageously be made large. Both the cases are high in reliability, and suitable for high density magnetic recording.

Abstract: A palladium alloy of the form Pd.sub.x M.sub.y M'.sub.z where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, iron, nickel, copper, chromium, cobalt, boron and aluminum and M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum and tungsten is provided. The alloys exhibit oxidation resistance and low electrical contact resistance and are particularly suited for electrical applications such as coatings for electrical contacts or connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the alloy is palladium/niobium containing from about 5 to about 10 atomic percent niobium.

Abstract: There is provided a non-single crystalline material characterized by containing Ir, Ta and Al at the following respective composition rates:______________________________________ 28 atom percent .ltoreq. Ir .ltoreq. 90 atom percent, 5 atom percent .ltoreq. Ta .ltoreq. 65 atom percent, and 1 atom percent .ltoreq. Al .ltoreq. 45 atom percent. ______________________________________There is also provided a member comprising a substrate and a film composed of said non-single crystalline material being disposed on said substrate.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal seal including a metal member such as Pd or a Pd-Ru alloy and a glass member wherein the glass member is in contact with the metal member and forms a glass-to-metal seal therewith. The seal can include an outer body surrounding the glass member and forming a seal therewith. The outer body has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the glass member and the seals between the outer body, the glass member and metal member are compression seals. The glass-to-metal seal is made by directly glassing onto the metal member in a furnace having an atmosphere which prevents outgassing of hydrogen from the metal member into the interface between the glass member and metal member. After the glass-to-metal seal forming step, the outer body can be metallurgically bonded to another component without chemically cleaning the outer body and the metal member can be metallurgically bonded to another member such as a gold wire without plating the metal member prior to the bonding step.

Abstract: A metal surface is now described having enhanced adhesion of subsequently applied coatings. The substrate metal of the article, such as a valve metal as represented by titanium, is provided with a highly desirable surface characteristic for subsequent coating application. This can be initiated by selection of a metal of desirable metallurgy and heat history, including prior heat treatment to provide surface grain boundaries which may be most readily etched. In subsequent etching operation, the surface is made to exhibit well defined, three dimensional grains with deep grain boundaries. Subsequently applied coatings, by penetrating into the etched intergranular valleys, are desirably locked onto the metal substrate surface and provide enhanced lifetime even in rugged commercial environments.

Abstract: Gold, copper, silver, palladium or aluminum and their alloys, but preferably gold or gold alloy, which may be in the form of a wire, has deposited thereon or contained within the wire, a material such as metals or metal alloys which diffuse into the gold or into the other listed metals. With the passage of time and exposure to temperature the deposited metal or metal alloy continues to diffuse into the gold forming intermetallics with the gold and thereby causing the resistivity of the gold to increase and causing the gold to become progressively more brittle until such time as the gold wire ruptures at a stress point. At a given temperature, the elapsed time until rupture takes place depends upon the metal or metal alloys deposited on or contained within the gold. Lead, indium, gallium, tin, bismuth and aluminum and the alloys of these metals diffuse into and form intermetallics with the gold.