Abstract: A cobalt based alloy having a chromium content in the range of 18-21% permits a high degree of magnetic field penetration which is comparable to non-ferromagnetic alloys. The alloy preferably contains 8-18% Pt and optionally may contain small amounts of Mo, Pd, Ni, Ti, V, Ta, W, and B.

Abstract: An indium oxide/tin oxide powder with 5-15 wt. % tin oxide is subjected to an annealing treatment at T≧1, 000° C. and is then partially reduced and subjected to hot isostatic pressing to produce a sputtering target with a density of at least 95% of the theoretical density and a thermal conductivity of at least 14 Wm−1K−1.

Abstract: A frame (3, 4, 5, . . . 7) at least partially surrounds the target material (19), and serves to mount the target on the cathode backing plate (9), with a separating film or interlayer (20) of soft material disposed between the frame and the cathode backing plate. The frame (3, 4, 5, . . . 7) is provided with a plurality of projections (3a, 3b, . . . 4a, 4b, . . . 7a, 7b . . . ) affixed to the frame members (3, 4, 5, . . . 7) and extending into the target material in order to hold the target material (19) in the spaces (A, B, C) surrounded by the frame members. The target is preferably cast directly into the frame while the frame is fixed to a stainless steel plate, then removed together with the frame after cooling and mounted to the cathode plate.

Abstract: Target for a magnetron-cathode sputtering apparatus is made from a cobalt base alloy containing additional elements in such concentrations that intermetallic phases are formed with at least one of these elements and intermetallic phases are observed on the basis of the phase diagram in the state of equilibrium at the operating temperature of the target. The grain boundaries, sub-grain boundaries, twin-grain boundaries or slip bands of the cobalt mixed crystal forming the matrix are decorated with the elements forming the intermetallic phases. X-ray diffraction diagrams made from the target display reflections of an intermetallic phase which is largely absent in the cast state and which forms only during a heat treatment in the temperature range below the solidus temperature of the alloy by a solid state reaction.

Abstract: Compacted ITO material is ground to a powder with particles in the size range of less than 500 .mu.m, whereupon the powder thus obtained is molded into new target blanks, either alone or in a mixture with unused ITO powder, under the simultaneous action of pressure and temperature. The temperature is kept sufficiently low so that recrystallization does not take place and the original grain size is preserved.

Abstract: The tin-containing component of a powder mixture includes SnO and is subjected to a mixing treatment with the In.sub.2 O.sub.3 before compaction to adjust the degree of reduction of the sputtering target in a simple and reproducible manner.