Abstract: Apparatus and systems may operate to provide a first reactant as a gas that flows under reduced atmospheric pressure to interact with a surface, such as a tool body surface, the interaction confined to a passage within the tool body, wherein the passage includes the surface and extends without interruption from an entrance end of the passage to an exit end of the passage. Additional activity may include providing a second reactant as a gas under the reduced atmospheric pressure, subsequent to the first reactant, to interact with the surface of the tool body; and repeated provision of the first and second reactants until a selected coating thickness on the surface is formed. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a heat resistant ferritic steel including a base material including, by mass percent, C: 0.01 to 0.3%, Si: 0.01 to 2%, Mn: 0.01 to 2%, P: at most 0.10%, 5: at most 0.03%, Cr: 7.5 to 14.0%, sol.Al: at most 0.3%, and N: 0.005 to 0.15%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and an oxide film that is formed on the base material and contains 25 to 97% of Fe and 3 to 75% of Cr. This heat resistant ferritic steel is excellent in photoselective absorptivity and oxidation resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating metal surfaces to enhance adhesion or binding to substrates, and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments of the present invention, methods of achieving improved bonding strength without roughening the topography of a metal surface are provided. The metal surface obtained by this method provides strong bonding to resin layers. The bonding interface between the treated metal and the resin layer exhibits resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals involved in post-lamination process steps, and therefore can suitably be used in the production of PCB's. Methods according to some embodiments of the present invention are especially useful in the fabrication of high density multilayer PCB's, in particular for PCB's having circuits with line/spacing of equal to and less than 10 microns. Methods according to other embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful in the coating of metal surfaces in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A magnetic pump in a pump well in a molten metal furnace with a long, relatively thin side wall that wraps around a significant fraction of the circumference of the pump, which facilitates creation of an eddy current based flow field in the molten material with better magnetic coupling, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the pump. Breach of the well wall will not result in spillage of metal outside the furnace, and the well can be monitored for any such breach or other change so that the pump can be lifted out of the well to protect it from contact with the molten metal in the event of such a breach, or other appropriate action can be taken.

Abstract: All of a cast-iron or cast-copper stave cooler's weight is supported inside a furnace containment shell by single gas-tight steel collar on the backside. All the coolant piping in each cooler has every external connection collected and routed together through the one steel collar. A wear protection barrier is disposed on the hot face. Such is limited to include at least one of horizontal rows of ribs and channels that retain metal inserts or refractory bricks, or pockets that assist in the retention of castable cement and/or accretions frozen in place from a melt, or an application of an area of hardfacing that is welded on in bead, crosshatch, or weave pattern.

Abstract: A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

Abstract: A method for passivating a metal surface of a light-weight metal part is disclosed, wherein a conversion layer is applied to the surface of the light-weight metal part in a passivation step. A passivation step is carried out wherein an aqueous passivation solution is used to create a calcium phosphate-containing conversion layer (5) on the metal surface of the part, said conversion layer comprising oxides and hydroxides from the material of the part and from the passivation solution and containing amino acids.

Abstract: Biodegradable magnesium alloy implantable medical devices are protected to delay onset of corrosion, and thus biodegradability, or to corrode more uniformly. The protection allows for extended effective use of the devices while maintaining biodegradability. Examples of protective coatings include conversion coatings that at least partially remove exposed second phases from a surface of the magnesium alloy and coatings that provide a barrier between water and the surface of the magnesium alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a diffusion layer for protecting temperature-stressed components, in particular of turbomachines, against oxidation and corrosion. The process comprises application of at least one slip to a component surface on which the diffusion layer is to be produced, and drying and/or hardening of the at least one slip by a heat treatment at a first temperature and diffusion heat treatment at a second temperature. The slip comprises Al-containing powder, Si-containing powder and a binder and also a Cr-containing powder which does not comprise any hexavalent chromium. In addition, the invention provides a corresponding slip.

Abstract: A method for making an environmentally-safe chromium based corrosion resistant coating includes pre-treating a metal substrate, immersing the metal substrate in a trivalent chromium bath which does not contain hexavalent chromium, post-treating the coated metal substrate with an oxidizer, and curing the coated metal substrate in a controlled environment.

Abstract: A method for continuously annealing aluminum alloy sheet at final thickness by continuously moving heat-treatable AlMgSi aluminum alloy sheet through a continuous annealing furnace arranged to heat the moving aluminum sheet to a set soaking temperature (TSET) in the temperature range of 500° C. to 590° C., the continuous annealing furnace has an entry section and an exit section, the moving aluminum sheet moves substantially horizontally through the continuous annealing furnace, wherein the moving aluminum sheet is rapidly cooled on leaving the exit section, wherein before or near the entry section of the continuous annealing furnace the moving aluminum sheet is pre-heated to a temperature of 5° C. to 100° C. below the TSET using an average heat-up rate as function of sheet thickness of at least Y=?31·ln(X)+50, wherein Y is the heat-up rate in ° C./sec and X is the sheet thickness in mm.

Abstract: A non alpha controlled plating bath including Tin species and a trace amount of Polonium species is utilized in a plating tool. The plating tool includes a Polonium filter element to remove Polonium species from the plating bath to selectively plate Tin upon a plating cathode. The filter may include a Titanium inner portion surrounding by a stannic oxide exterior. The filter may reduce the Polonium species by having the polonium absorb and then enter within the stannic oxide matrix. The filter may be located within the plating tool reservoir or filter housing. The filter may be fabricated by forming Tin upon a Titanium backbone and converting the Tin to stannic oxide.

Abstract: A process for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate containing tungsten is disclosed to reduce corrosion rate and inhibit dishing of the tungsten and erosion of underlying dielectrics. The process includes providing a substrate; providing a polishing composition, containing, as initial components: water; an oxidizing agent; a thiolalkoxy compound; a dicarboxylic acid, a source of iron ions; a colloidal silica abrasive; and, optionally a pH adjusting agent; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad, having a polishing surface; creating dynamic contact at an interface between the polishing pad and the substrate; and dispensing the polishing composition onto the polishing surface at or near the interface between the polishing pad and the substrate; wherein some of the tungsten (W) is polished away from the substrate, corrosion rate is reduced, dishing of the tungsten (W) is inhibited as well as erosion of dielectrics underlying the tungsten (W).

Abstract: A method for producing a wear and corrosion resistant WC based material coated with one or more metals selected from group IVB, VB and VIB metals (according to CAS system) and Al is disclosed. The method comprises treating of said coated structure with electrochemical boriding treatment in an electrolyte which is substantially free of halogenated compounds wherein the electrolyte comprises alkali carbonates and boron sources and said electrolyte being heated during electrolysis under an induction heating regime having electromagnetic frequency ranging from 50 to 300 kHz during electrolysis.

Abstract: An Al alloy cast product includes 3.2% to 7.2% by weight of Mg and 0.28% to 0.6% by weight of Sc, and has an Fe content and an Si content, each of 0.1% by weight or less. The cast product contains, in the metal texture, 3% by volume or less of Al3Sc particle having a particle diameter of 100 nm or less. In production thereof, an Al alloy melt containing 3.2% to 7.2% by weight of Mg and 0.28% to 0.6% by weight of Sc and having an Fe content and an Si content, each of 0.1% by weight or less, is prepared. Next, a casting formed from the melt is subjected to an aging treatment without a solution heat treatment (or a quenching treatment). Then, 3% by volume or less of Al3Sc particle having a particle diameter of 100 nm or less is precipitated in the metal texture.

Abstract: Various compositions and methods are disclosed for treatment of heat tints on stainless steel surfaces that allow for simultaneous pickling and passivation of stainless steel. Moreover, contemplated compositions and methods are free or substantially free of hydrofluoric acid and can be applied in various forms at different temperatures. In further preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, the compositions contemplated herein include magnesium salts of acids, and especially magnesium salts of hydrofluoric and nitric acid, most typically in an aqueous base. Such compositions are significantly safer for a user and disposal. Where desired, additional ingredients may be added, including surfactants, chelators, thickeners, and/or fillers.

Abstract: A metal injection molding apparatus includes a metal injection mold die having first and second die halves, a first set of features provided in the first die half, a second set of features provided in the second die half and complementary to the first set of features provided in the first are half and an ultrasonic transducer disposed in contact with the metal injection mold die. A binderless metal injection molding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling macroscopic strain of a porous structure includes contacting a porous structure with a modifying agent which chemically adsorbs to a surface of the porous structure and modifies an existing surface stress of the porous structure. A device in one embodiment includes a porous metal structure, which when contacted with a modifying agent which chemically adsorbs to a surface of the porous metal structure, exhibits a volumetric change due to modification of an existing surface stress of the porous metal structure; and a mechanism for detecting the volumetric change. Additional methods and systems are also presented.

Abstract: Provided are a treatment liquid for a trivalent chromium conversion coating, achieving excellent corrosion resistance and scratch resistance without containing a cobalt compound, with high stability and adequate consideration for environmental issues; and a method for treating a metal substrate using the same. Provided is a treatment liquid for a trivalent chromium conversion coating on the surface of a metal substrate comprising: a trivalent chromium compound; titanium lactate; one or more compounds of transition metal other than cobalt; two or more organic acids or organic acid salts, and at least one ion species selected from chloride ions, nitrate ions, and sulfate ions; but no cobalt compound.

Abstract: A high strength, high formability and low cost 2xxx aluminum-lithium alloy is disclosed. The aluminum-lithium alloy is capable of being formed into wrought products with a thickness of from about 0.01? to about 0.249?. Aluminum-lithium alloys of the invention generally comprise from about 3.5 to 4.5 wt. % Cu, 0.8 to 1.6 wt. % Li, 0.6 to 1.5 wt. % Mg, from 0.03 to 0.6 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sc, Cr, V, Hf, and other rare earth elements, and up to 1.0 wt. % Zn, up to 1.0 wt. % Mn, up to 0.12 wt. % Si, up to 0.15 wt. % Fe, up to 0.15 wt. % Ti, up to 0.05 wt. % of any other element, with the total of these other elements not exceeding 0.15 wt. %, and the balance being aluminum. Ag should not be more than 0.5 wt. % and is preferably not intentionally added. Mg is at least equal or higher than Zn in weight percent in the invented alloy.