Abstract: A string musical instrument having a body portion and one or more strings secured thereto, thereby defining a stringed portion. The stringed portion being composed of a polymeric material, includes a surface which comes into contact with the strings when a musician plays the musical instrument. The surface having thereon a first composite layer being operatively engaged to the surface and including one or more intermediate layers and an outer hard and low friction diamond-like carbon layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon fiber prepreg. The carbon fiber prepreg of the present invention is characterized in that a carbon fiber bundle comprising a plurality of continuous carbon filaments and having a hook drop value of 10 cm or more as the degree of fiber entanglement is impregnated with a base resin mainly composed of a thermosetting resin, and that particles of 150 .mu.m or less in particle size made of a thermoplastic resin account for 20 wt % or less based on the weight of the entire prepreg and distributed at a higher concentration in the surface zone than in the inside. The carbon fiber prepreg of the present invention is good in tackiness and less changing in tackiness with the lapse of time, and can form a composite with an excellent compression interlaminar shear strength (CILS) at high temperature after moisture absorption while maintaining good impact resistance.

Abstract: Silicate based glass compositions with phosphorus compounds included in the composition as spectral modifiers to impart desirable color and improved energy absorbance properties are disclosed. The phosphorus compound is generally a metal phosphide which is added to the batch glass composition in amounts greater than 0.05 weight percent prior to melting. The composition and method result in a finished glass suitable for use in architectural and automotive glazings.

Abstract: A jointed member, such as a tappet, obtained by brazing a disc which is ceramic member, and a tappet body which is a metal member, to each other by a brazing layer, the jointed member includes a reaction layer formed on the surface of the metal member adjacent to the brazing material and having a thickness of not less than 5 .mu.m, wherein the reaction layer contains, in addition to main elements forming the metal member, Cu in the range of 0.5 weight % to 8 weight % and Si in the range of 0.5 weight % to 8 weight %.

Abstract: A metallic article includes a bond coating and a ceramic thermal barrier coating on the bond coating. The ceramic thermal barrier coating includes a plurality of columnar grains extending substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the metallic article. Each columnar gain has a plurality of first layers, a plurality of second layers and a plurality of third layers. The first layers have a different structure from the second layers and the third layers. The second layers have a different structure from the third layers. The first layers have the same composition as the third layers. The second layers have a greater proportion of voids than the first layers and the third layers. The voids reduce the thermal conductivity of the thermal barrier coating. The second layers may also have a different composition from the first layers and the third layers to reduce the thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A metal material having a photocatalytic activity which comprises an anodized layer and a thin layer containing titanium oxide powder which are heat treated are sequentially laminated on the surface of a substrate comprising metal material including titanium. By anodically oxidizing the metal material including titanium, an anodized layer is formed on the surface thereof. A thin layer containing titanium oxide powder is further coated on this surface, and heat treatment is carried out before and/or after forming this thin layer containing titanium oxide powder.

Abstract: The article in accordance with the invention is a corrosion and erosion resistant article having good release characteristics which includes a metal body having a first surface thereon and a base coat adhering to the first surface. The base coat comprises at least one layer of inorganic particulate material bonded to the first surface. A second coat adheres to the base coat. That second coat comprising a cured coating of solid particulate lubricant in a phosphate/chromate metal ion solution. The invention also includes a corrosion and erosion resistant coating having good release characteristics which includes a base coat, the base coat comprising at least one layer of inorganic particulate material bonded to the first surface; and a second coat adhering to the base coat. The second coat comprises a cured coating of solid particulate lubricant in a phosphate/chromate metal ion solution.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a glass-, ceramic- or vitroceramic-based substrate (1) provided on at least part of at least one of its faces with a coating (3) with a photocatalytic property containing at least partially crystalline titanium oxide. It also relates to the applications of such a substrate and to its method of preparation.

Abstract: A coating agent including amorphous titanium peroxide. Preferably, the amorphous titanium peroxide is a sol. Additionally, a coated substrate includes a substrate; and a coating provided on at least one surface of the substrate and comprised of the coating agent.

Abstract: A film structure includes a conductive oxide thin film formed on a substrate having a silicon (100) face at its surface. The conductive oxide thin film is an epitaxial film composed mainly of strontium ruthenate. At least 80% of the surface of the conductive oxide thin film has a Rz of up to 10 nm. On the conductive oxide thin film having excellent surface flatness and crystallinity, a ferroelectric thin film, typically of lead zirconate titanate, having surface flatness and spontaneous polarization can be formed.

Abstract: A resist film and a bonding layer are disposed between a sensor substrate and a PCB, and a cutout is formed in the resist film and the bonding layer at the part where the through hole of the sensor substrate communicates with the through hole of a PCB to form an air vent communicating with the outside of the edge part of the laminated substrates. When the conductive material is filled in the through hole from the obverse surface of the sensor substrate, the air in the through hole is released from the air vent to thereby reliably fill the conductive material in the through hole, which can reliably bring the electrode and the land 28 into conduction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved protective pad for protecting the human body against impact forces. The pad is formed using layers of high density closed-cell polymer foam low density closed-cell polymer foam, and resilient or non-resilient energy absorbing inserts. The high density layer absorbs and shunts impact forces, while the low density layer acts as a cushion against the human body, and provides for comfort. The pad can be provided with a plurality of holes through its thickness to provide for breathability and release of heat from the human body, the surface area of the holes being great enough to allow for adequate ventilation but not so great as to significantly decrease the protection offered by the pad. The pad can also be provided with a plurality of score lines across its surface and partially through its thickness to provide for flexibility and conformability to the part of the human body being protected.

Abstract: An electromagnetic-wave shielding and light transmitting plate suitable for an electromagnetic-wave shielding filter for a PDP, which has good electromagnetic-wave shielding efficiency and light transparency, can provide distinct pictures, and can yet be easily made, is provided. The electromagnetic-wave shielding and light transmitting plate is formed of two transparent base plates and an adhesive layer made of EVA in which conductive particles are dispersed and mixed. The base plates are integrally bonded together by the adhesive layer. Adjusting the particle size and the dispersed amount of the conductive particles enables the manufacture of plates having desired electromagnetic-wave shielding efficiency, in addition, good light transparency, without moire phenomenon. Using an adhesive sheet formed by mixing the conductive particles into the EVA facilitates the manufacture of the aforementioned plate.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved near net-shape VPS formed multilayered combustion system component having an inner surface consisting of a smooth protective thermal barrier coating, and an outer layer of superalloy capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 700.degree. C. The invention also includes the method of forming such components by first vacuum plasma spraying a suitable mold with a ceramic top coat, followed by a bond coat and followed by a thick structural layer of superalloy. The mold is then separated from the multilayered structure which results in the desired near net-shape component. Combustor liners and transition ducts of gas turbine engines can be advantageously formed in this manner.

Abstract: An improved award medal capable of being configured to include bright attractive colors and any number of unique and/or intricate designs. The award medal of the present invention is structured to be formed of a relatively soft material which includes a weight element so as to substantially duplicate the weight of a conventional metallic award medal. The improved award medal includes a main body preferably formed to have a generally flat, plate-like configuration and appearance, with a first outer surface, a second outer surface, and a surrounding peripheral sidewall. The main body will be formed of a substantially soft, resilient, rubber material and ideally, a rubberized polyvinyl chloride material. In order to provide structural integrity to the main body, a substantially heavy weight assembly is disposed within the improved award medal. Additionally, a variety of decorative indicia are positioned on at least one of the outer surfaces of the main body.

Abstract: A laminated composite electronic device has a laminated body formed by stacking ceramic layers which differ from each other in thermal expansion rate. Between those different ceramic layers are inserted intermediate ceramic layers a, b, c and d, each having thermal expansion rates differing from one another so as to reduce the difference between the neighboring ceramic layers in the thermal expansion rate thereof. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture the laminated composite electronic device by baking without deformation nor cracks forming therein.

Abstract: A process for forming a laminate of 123-type copper oxide superconductor thin films having dissimilar crystal axis orientations, a laminate of 123-type thin copper oxide superconductor layers exhibiting excellent superconducting property, and wiring for Josephson junction. A c-axis oriented single crystalline thin film of an oxide superconductor having a Y:Ba:Cu atomic ratio of substantially 1:2:3 and a lattice constant of 11.60 angstroms.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.11.70 angstroms at a temperature of 20.degree. C. under an oxygen partial pressure of 160 Torr is formed on a single crystalline substrate, and an a-axis oriented single crystalline thin film of said oxide superconductor is formed on the above laminated film relying upon a sputter deposition method.

Abstract: A glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic comprises a ceramic matrix having open voids, inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix in a regular or irregular orientation, and a glass matrix filling up the open voids in the ceramic matrix. The glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic is manufactured by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of forming a fiber-reinforced ceramic comprising the ceramic matrix having open voids, and inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix, impregnating the fiber-reinforced ceramic with a glass precursor solution containing a glass precursor to stop up the open voids of the ceramic matrix with the glass precursor solution, and subjecting the fiber-reinforced ceramic impregnated with the solution to a heat treatment.

Abstract: An article with a corrosion-resistant diffusion barrier is provided to resist the attack of corrosion agents, during service at high temperature (>600.degree. C.). More specifically, a diffusion barrier containing a stabilized two-phase glass is provided. The stabilized two-phase glass comprises glass-forming oxides, other oxides with low cation coordination numbers and stabilizing agents wherein the glass-forming oxides block ionic transport by virtue of their network formation on the atomic scale and the stabilizing agents improve the stability of the diffusion barrier and compatibility with the substrate. The diffusion barrier covers some portion of the substrate that is optionally augmented by a base layer or a sealant layer. Being impervious and having low-solubility in corrosive environments, the diffusion barrier stops corrosive agents from reaching the substrate.

Abstract: An alloy substrate is protected by a thermal barrier coating formed from a layer of metallic bond coat and a top coat formed from generally hollow ceramic particles dispersed in a matrix bonded to the bond coat.