Abstract: A device for generating a cold plasma in a vacuum enclosure includes a cathode body having hollow chambers for confining the plasma. Magnets are placed around each hollow chamber for creating a magnetic field forcing electrons to rotate about the field lines. The cathode body cooperates with an element for circulating a coolant to extract the heat generated by an intense ion bombardment at each of the hollow chambers.

Abstract: Friction part in a lubricated medium working at contact pressures above 200 MPa and having a contact surface that is textured and subjected, before or after texturizing, to a case hardening treatment for a tribological function, wherein the surface is subjected to operations for producing a periodic network of micrometric cavities having predefined shapes and sizes and a period adapted to the width of the contact surface in order to promote passage to elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime.

Abstract: The lubricated environment incorporates a friction modifier, and a coating is applied to the part. The coating is chromium nitride and the friction modifier is MoDTC. The chromium nitride presents an NaCl-type crystallization and a microhardness of 1,800 +/?200 HV.

Abstract: Before the end of the treatment of metal parts in a molten salt bath nitriding/nitrocarburizing station, a chamber, arranged so that the oxygen contained in the chamber can be discharged in order to create an inert atmosphere, is filled with a refrigerant in liquid form and with a strong capacity for volume expansion as it evaporates. All the parts treated are transferred into the chamber. The chamber is closed, and the parts are left in the chamber for a preset length of time to reach a temperature at which the salt congeals and forms a protective barrier. The parts are then removed and subjected to a rinsing operation.

Abstract: This bush is made out of a composite material that has a modulus of elasticity of between 500 and 6000 N/mm2, said bush having at least one lip formed directly at the time of manufacture as an overrun edge of its bore to act as a leak-tight or protective barrier after mounting on the shaft by creating a tightening effect between the inside diameter of said lip or said lips, and the outside diameter of said shaft.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of at least one part by individual sources of an electron cyclotron resonance plasma is characterized by subjecting the part(s) to at least one movement of revolution with regard to at least one fixed linear row of elementary sources. The linear row or rows of elementary sources are disposed parallel to the axis or axes of revolution of the part or parts.

Abstract: A cathode sputtering target includes: between 30 and 40 atomic % of a metal, between 2 and 10 atomic % of nitrogen, and between 35 and 50 atomic % of oxygen. The remainder up to 100% is constituted by at least one element selected from the group that comprises phosphorous (P), boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), sulphur (S) and aluminium (Al). Also provides a method of manufacturing a thin film from the target, and an electrochemical device comprising the thin film.

Abstract: A thin layer is deposited on a surface having a roughness profile whereof the parameters and mean period are determined for improving the tribological performance, so that the ratio A between the square of the mean period of the profile (PSM) in ?m and the roughness profile (Pa) in ?m, as defined by French standard ISO 4288, is equal to or greater than 5×105 ?m.

Abstract: A part has a layer with a WC-C composition gradient, with the exception of a metal-containing undercoat and with the exception of an ion implantation layer and a DLC surface layer having cohesive behaviour in scratch tests.

Abstract: A molten-salt bath for nitriding mechanical steel parts, essentially consisting of the following (the contents being expressed in wt %): 25 to 60 wt % of alkali-metal chlorides; 10 to 40 wt % of alkali-metal carbonates; 20 to 50 wt % of alkali-metal cyanates; and a maximum of 3 wt % of cyanide ions (formed during the use of the bath), wherein the total of the contents is 100 wt %. Preferably, the bath contains: 25 to 30 wt % of sodium cyanate; 25 to 30 wt % of sodium carbonate and lithium carbonate; 40 to 50 wt % of potassium chlorides; and a maximum of 3 wt % of cyanide ions (formed during the use of the bath), the total of the contents being 100 wt %.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superficial treatment method by electrolysis of ferrous surfaces to enhance friction or tread and seizing resistance features, wherein the surfaces provide the electrolysis anode, the electrolysis bath includes a sulphur species, primarily contains water and also contains a chloride salt and a nitrogen species in quantities which facilitates the sulphuration reaction of the surfaces.

Abstract: This bush is made out of a composite material that has a modulus of elasticity of between 500 and 6000 N/mm2, said bush having at least one lip formed directly at the time of manufacture as an overrun edge of its bore to act as a leak-tight or protective barrier after mounting on the shaft by creating a tightening effect between the inside diameter of said lip or said lips, and the outside diameter of said shaft.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a heating a element includes modifying the surface state of a substrate in order to obtain at least one smooth area of low roughness and at least one rough area having a higher roughness; applying a highly electrically conductive material to these various areas; and connecting smooth area(s) of the conductive material to an electrical power source.

Abstract: According to the method, drops of an adhesive material are deposited on one of the plates, with the drops being spaced from one another. A grid having a predefined thickness lower than that of the drops is applied to the plate receiving the drops. A perpendicular and uniform pressure is applied to at least one of the plates, so that the drops spread and come into contact with the opposing sides of the two plates. The spacing of the drops is defined so that after spreading under the pressure applied, air is not trapped between the drops.

Abstract: A guide member has a ring for mounting a pin with friction and articulation and/or sliding capacity. The member is adapted for mounting in the bore of a support. The ring and/or the pin is subjected, at least at its friction surface, to a surface hardening treatment by diffusion or by structural transformation, followed by finishing surface treatment for reducing the tendency to jamming and to reduce the friction coefficient. The friction surface of the ring, comprising its bore, has arrangements acting as a lubricant reserve. The outer periphery of the ring is joined to an element made from a deformable flexible material suitable for being engaged in the bore of the support.

Abstract: A method for processing parts for kitchen tools in order to protect the parts from scratches, includes sequentially: a nitridation step, optionally including a nitrocarburizing step, between 592 and 750° C. in order to promote the formation of a nitrogen austenite layer; and a processing step for promoting the conversion of at least a portion of the nitrogen austenite into a phase with reinforced hardness.

Abstract: A greased joint assembly operating in oily conditions comprises an axle mounted rotating or pivoting in a ring. The axle and/or the ring are subjected to a hardening surface treatment by diffusion or by structural transformation followed by a finishing surface treatment and a treatment suitable for reducing the tendency to jamming and for reducing the sensitivity to corrosion, and the bore of the ring and/or the axle is provided with arrangements acting as a lubricant reserve.

Abstract: A self-lubricating guiding element which is characterized in that the body thereof is made from a material with high resistance to wear and/or seizing and corrosion. Each of the ends of the bore in the body is equipped with at least one groove which is intended to prevent the lubricant from leaving the friction zone. In addition, the bore comprises oriented slots, at least between the grooves, which open into at least one of the grooves and which are used to store lubricant.

Abstract: A titanium-copper-nickel based alloy is used for the formation of at least one resistive thin film on a polymer substrate. The alloy comprises 50 to 80% by weight of titanium, 10 to 25% by weight of copper and 10 to 25% by weight of nickel. The thin film has a thickness between about 100 and 160 nanometres.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a heating a element includes modifying the surface state of a substrate in order to obtain at least one smooth area of low roughness and at least one rough area having a higher roughness; applying a highly electrically conductive material to these various areas; and connecting smooth area(s) of the conductive material to an electrical power source.