Abstract: A novel activation/etch method is disclosed for conductive polymer substrates and conductive polymer composite substrates to achieve good adhesion to subsequently applied coatings. The method in a preferred case involves anodically polarizing conductive polymers/polymer composites in aqueous etching solutions.

Abstract: Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: Metal coated organic polymer compositions are useful as vehicular transmission parts. Such parts may have lighter weight, and/or superior corrosion resistance, and/or be more easily fabricated than similar conventional transmission parts.

Abstract: Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance compared to either uncoated or equivalent thickness chromium coated substrate. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a substrate having an outer surface clad with a metal construct including one or more continuous metal layers, at least one of which is an amorphous layer or a microcrystalline layer having a grain size below 5000 nm. A bonding layer is provided between the substrate and the layered metallic construct so that the bonding layer is in direct contact with the substrate and with the layered metallic construct. The bonding layer is made of a substantially fully cured resin including at least 10% of a rubber. The layered metallic construct has peel strength greater than 10N/cm. Also provided is a process for making the article including coating an article outer surface with a bonding layer and a layered metallic construct. The bonding layer is substantially fully cured before the layered metal construct is bonded to the article. The coated article is annealed.

Abstract: Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance compared to either uncoated or equivalent thickness Cr coated substrate. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial and hydrophobic properties.

Abstract: An elongated metallic structural member having anisotropic flexural stiffness characteristics which can be conveniently produced, is disclosed. Anisotropic bending behavior is achieved by directionally controlling, at least in part, the composition and/or microstructure. The invention is particularly applicable to articles requiring the bending stiffness in the flexible plane to be much lower than in the stiff plane as desired, among others, in a variety of shafts, tubes and rods used in sporting goods.

Abstract: Super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning articles produced by imprinting exposed surfaces with suitable fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic embossing dies to transfer a dual surface structure, including ultra-fine features less than or equal to 100 nm embedded in and overlaying a surface topography with macro-surface structures greater than or equal to 1 micron are disclosed.

Abstract: An article includes an electrodeposited metallic material including Co with a minimum content of 75% by weight. The metallic material has a microstructure which is fine-grained with an average grain size between 2 and 5,000 nm and/or an amorphous microstructure. The metallic material forms at least part of an exposed surface of the article. The metallic material has an inherent contact angle for water of less than 90 degrees at room temperature when measured on a smooth exposed surface portion of the metallic material which has a maximum surface roughness Ra of 0.25 microns. The metallic material has an exposed patterned surface portion having surface structures having a height of between at least 5 microns to about 100 microns incorporated therein to increase the contact angle for water at room temperature of the exposed patterned surface portion to over 100 degrees.

Abstract: Super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning articles produced by imprinting exposed surfaces with suitable fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic embossing dies to transfer a dual surface structure, including ultra-fine features less than or equal to 100 nm embedded in and overlaying a surface topography with macro-surface structures greater than or equal to 1 micron are disclosed.

Abstract: Metal-clad polymer articles containing structural fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling although the CLTE of the metallic layer and the one of the substrate is mismatched. The interface between the metallic layer and the polymer is suitably pretreated to withstand thermal cycling without failure.

Abstract: Metal-coated polymer articles containing structural substantially porosity-free, fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein on polymer substrates, are disclosed. The substantially porosity-free metallic coatings/layers/patches are applied to polymer or polymer composite substrates to provide, enhance or restore vacuum/pressure integrity and fluid sealing functions. Due to the excellent adhesion between the metallic coating and the polymer article satisfactory thermal cycling performance is achieved. The invention can also be employed as a repair/refurbishment technique. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, aerospace and automotive parts and other components exposed to thermal cycling and stress created by erosion and impact damage.

Abstract: Metal plated organic polymer compositions are useful as vehicular electronic and electrical housings. Such housings may have lighter weight, better strength and/or stiffer and may be more easily made than conventional housings.

Abstract: Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance compared to either uncoated or equivalent thickness chromium coated substrate. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: Metallic stents which have a randomly oriented microstructure, and possess quasi-isotropic mechanical and physical properties are disclosed. The novel stents can be “tailor-made” to mimic the geometry of the blood vessel(s) at the deployment site and can be designed to treat coronary artery disease at the point where blood vessels branch. The metallic materials of choice are ductile, corrosion resistant and exhibit little crystallographic texture. The novel stents can be produced from a metallic precursor which is quasi-isotropic and exhibits little texture by processing means, such as machining, which do not reintroduce texture. Alternatively, quasi-isotropic and low texture stents are achieved by suitable post-processing of conventionally fabricated stent materials.

Abstract: Metal plated organic polymer compositions are useful as vehicular engine oil pans. Such oil pans may have lighter weight, and/or superior corrosion resistance, than conventional metal oil pans.

Abstract: Metal-coated polymer articles containing structural substantially porosity-free, fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein on polymer substrates, are disclosed. The substantially porosity-free metallic coatings/layers/patches are applied to polymer or polymer composite substrates to provide, enhance or restore vacuum/pressure integrity and fluid sealing functions. Due to the excellent adhesion between the metallic coating and the polymer article satisfactory thermal cycling performance is achieved. The invention can also be employed as a repair/refurbishment technique. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, aerospace and automotive parts and other components exposed to thermal cycling and stress created by erosion and impact damage.

Abstract: Fine-grained (average grain size 1 nm to 1,000 nm) metallic coatings optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic materials are significantly harder and stronger than conventional coatings of the same chemical composition due to Hall-Petch strengthening and have low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The invention provides means for matching the CTE of the fine-grained metallic coating to the one of the substrate by adjusting the composition of the alloy and/or by varying the chemistry and volume fraction of particulates embedded in the coating. The fine-grained metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling. The low CTEs and the ability to match the CTEs of the fine-grained metallic coatings with the CTEs of the substrate minimize dimensional changes during thermal cycling and prevent premature failure.

Abstract: Articles for automotive, manufacturing and industrial applications including shafts or tubes used, for example, as golf club shafts, ski and hiking poles, fishing rods or bicycle frames, skate blades and snowboards are at least partially electroplated with fine-grained layers of selected metallic materials. Parts with complex geometry can be coated as well. Alternatively, articles such as conical or cylindrical golf club shafts, hiking pole shafts or fishing pole sections, plates or foils and the like can also be electroformed of fine-grained metallic materials on a suitable mandrel or temporary substrate to produce strong, ductile, lightweight components exhibiting a high coefficient of restitution and a high stiffness for use in numerous applications including sporting goods.