Abstract: Soft and porous material is coated with a multilayer ceramic coating by physical vapor deposition. The coated material is suitable for use as foodware, particularly, a copper foodware article including a plain copper substrate, a base coating, and a ceramic coating. The base coating is deposited by sputtering and cathodic arc in combination, providing the good corrosion resistance and adhesion to the substrate. The ceramic coating includes a PVD nitride or carbonitride layer, providing a tarnish-free surface, good durability, and thermal stability. The coated copper foodware article has the same heat conductivity as pure copper, good corrosion resistance, high durability, excellent cooking, and ease of cleaning. A metal article having a multilayer coating and a method of making a metal article are also described.

Abstract: Soft and porous material is coated with a multilayer ceramic coating by physical vapor deposition. The coated material is suitable for use as foodware, particularly, a copper foodware article including a plain copper substrate, a base coating, and a ceramic coating. The base coating is deposited by sputtering and cathodic arc in combination, providing the good corrosion resistance and adhesion to the substrate. The ceramic coating includes a PVD nitride or carbonitride layer, providing a tarnish-free surface, good durability, and thermal stability. The coated copper foodware article has the same heat conductivity as pure copper, good corrosion resistance, high durability, excellent cooking, and ease of cleaning. A metal article having a multilayer coating and a method of making a metal article are also described.

Abstract: A foodware article having a multilayer, stick resistant, ceramic coating. The foodware article of the present invention includes a metal foodware article having an inner food-contacting surface and an outer surface; a bonding layer deposited on the food-contacting surface; and a first layer of (Ti, Al, Cr)N deposited adjacent to the bonding layer. There is optionally a layer of chromium nitride deposited adjacent to the first (Ti, Al, Cr)N layer, and a second layer of (Ti, Al, Cr)N deposited on the chromium nitride layer. These layers can be repeated as many times as desired. The (Ti, Al, Cr)N layer is generally the top layer of the multiplayer coating. The coating is stick resistant, scratch resistant, thermally stable, corrosion resistant, and color stable. The foodware is suitable for use with both salty-based and acidic-based foods. A method of making such a foodware article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A foodware article having a multilayer, stick resistant, ceramic coating. The foodware article of the present invention includes a metal foodware article having an inner food-contacting surface and an outer surface; a bonding layer deposited on the food-contacting surface; and a first layer of (Ti,Al,Cr)N deposited adjacent to the bonding layer. There is optionally a layer of chromium nitride deposited adjacent to the first (Ti,Al,Cr)N layer, and a second layer of (Ti,Al,Cr)N deposited on the chromium nitride layer. These layers can be repeated as many times as desired. The (Ti, Al, Cr)N layer is generally the top layer of the multiplayer coating. The coating is stick resistant, scratch resistant, thermally stable, corrosion resistant, and color stable. The foodware is suitable for use with both salty-based and acidic-based foods. A method of making such a foodware article is also disclosed.