Abstract: The invention provides a means for solving the difficult problem of the deposition of stain in the recesses to cause loss of beautiful appearance on the matted surface of an article for personal ornament made of titanium, zirconium or an alloy thereof formed by honing or barrel finishing. The method comprises the steps of (a) forming a first matted surface with microscopically fine protrusions and recesses on the article by honing or barrel finishing, (b) forming a hardened layer on the matted surface by nitriding, carbonizing, boriding or oxidizing, (c) partially removing the hardened layer covering the protrusions on the matted surface by a first electrolytic or chemical polishing, (d) forming a second matted surface on the article by honing or barrel finishing, and (e) partially removing the surface layer at the protrusions by a second electrolytic or chemical polishing to smoothen the surface leaving a sandy appearance.

Abstract: Polar liquids which have been extracted from solution under conditions of a negative pressure environment may be continuously drawn off using a system of holding tanks and control circuitry that overcomes the tendency for the extracted liquid to remain in the subatmospheric environment without risking loss of such environment. A pair of intermediate holding tanks of the system are alternately filled and depleted so that one is filling while the other is discharging to a final point of collection, and the valving arrangements with respect to each holding tank are such that during the time a holding tank is accepting liquid from the extractor, such tank is communicated with the subatmospheric environment associated with the extractor whereby to equalize the pressures between those two systems and enable the liquid to drain freely into the selected holding tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the electrodeposition of a homogeneously thick metal layer on the surface of a substantially flat cathode in which a screening member is placed in the electrolyte bath between the planes of the anode and the cathode. In order to improve the homogeneity of the thickness of the metal layer, which is desired, for example, in the manufacture of information carriers, a cylindrical screening member is used which is placed at a short distance from the cathode.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing particulate material covered by a liquid electrolyte containing dissolved inorganic salts in which a cathode is placed below the surface of the particulate material and an anode is placed in the liquid electrolyte or in the particulate material so that it is in an electrical relationship with the cathode. An electrical current is then passed betweeen the electrodes for a sufficient time to cause the dissolved inorganic salts to deposit on or between the cathode and the interface of the particulate material and liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: In case that the surface of a mold for continuous casting of steel made of copper or copper alloy having at least partially nickel or nickel-base alloy plated thereon is injured, said surface is abraded without complete removal of said plated layer, the resulting exposed surface is dipped with concentrated strong acid for activation, and thereafter it is repaired by plating nickel or nickel-base alloy thereon.

Abstract: An electroforming process comprising providing a core mandrel having an electrically conductive, adhesive outer surface, a coefficient of expansion of at least about 8.times.10.sup.-5 in./in./.degree.F., a segmental cross-sectional area of less than about 1.8 square inches and an overall length to segmental cross-sectional area ratio greater than about 0.6, establishing an electroforming zone between an anode selected from a metal and alloys thereof having a coefficient of expansion of between about 6.times.10.sup.-6 in./in./.degree.F. and about 10.times.10.sup.-6 in./in./.degree.F.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electroplating metal, primarily chromium, onto a workpiece connected as a cathode in a current circuit, the workpiece being fed through an electrolyte bath past the anode of the current circuit. Prior to moving the workpiece past the anode, the workpiece is moved past a member in the electrolyte bath which is generally parallel to the direction of movement of the workpiece and which is generally closer to the workpiece than the anode. This member controls the current density between the member and the workpiece, causing the workpiece to be etched as it passes the member.

Abstract: An improved stamper and method involved in the replication of optically-readable information bearing members by means of an injection molding process utilizing a stamper having a conformal layer of chromium electrolytically deposited over the encoded surface of an existing optically-readable information bearing nickel stamper. Nickel stampers produce replicas having structural and optical defects affecting playability of the replica. The present invention provides improvement in the reduction or elimination of "plowing" and "orange peel" defects through cleaner release at the interface of the master stamper and the stamped article. The invention involves an improved stamper surface comprised of a thin layer of chromium metal deposited over an existing nickel stamper. Such a surface insures a cleaner release at the interface of the master stamper and stamped article.

Abstract: A counter flow device for a plating apparatus including a rotary drum with its substantially half part immersed in a plating solution in a plating bath, about which a metallic strip to be plated passes in synchronism with rotation of said rotary drum and anodes spaced apart by radial gaps from the strip for causing electric current to flow between the strip and the anodes. According to the invention the counter flow device comprises a bottom nozzle arranged at a bottom of the bath and directing in a direction substantially opposite to an entering direction of the strip thereat and a top nozzle having a nozzle opening whose tip end is immersed in the proximity of a surface of the plating solution at a location where the strip leaves the plating solution, thereby ensuring uniform counter flows over entire gaps between the metallic strip and anodes to remarkably increase critical current density in plating and advantageously realize uniform plating.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of record stampers having electroformed inner and outer edges of a predetermined configuration. In the disclosed method, a flat matrix is formed from a ductile metal. The inner and outer sections of the matrix are shaped into a form which is the mirror image of inner and outer edges desired be formed on the stamper. A metal, preferably a relatively hard metal, is then electroformed on the surface of the matrix in a preselected thickness required for the stamper. The resulting stamper is then stripped from the surfaces of the matrix. The stamper which is obtained will have electroformed inner and outer edges of the predetermined configurations.

Abstract: An article such as a semiconductor wafer (12) is contacted for plating on an active surface (16). Disposed adjacent to and around the surface (16), there is a conductor such as an annular ring (58) which is adapted for connection to a current source. A composite member (62) has an outer portion (64) for contacting the conductor ring (58) and an inner portion (63) for contacting peripheral regions of surface (16) of the wafer (12). Each of the portions (64 and 63) have a substantially nonconductive matrix supporting a plurality of conductive elements having first and second ends. The first ends of the elements in the outer portion (64) are for contacting the conductor (58) and the first ends of the elements in the inner portion are for contacting the surface (16). A coupling member such as a compliant metal foil (66) is contacted to and interconnects the second ends of the elements in the inner and outer portions (63 and 64).

Abstract: The homogeneity of the electrolyte bath close to the surface to be coated is of great importance when depositing dispersion coatings by electrolyte co-precipitation of solid particles in suspension and at least one dissolved metal salt. Homogenous suspension electrolyte is made to flow continuously onto the surface (24) to be coated with the help of at least one feed pipe (42) which features outlets (43) directed at that surface (24) and which moves along adjacent to the said surface (24). The said feed pipe (42) is connected via a pipe (41) to a hollow axle (3) and such that these parts together form a rotor. The workpiece (2) to be coated can at the same time serve as the container for the electrolyte bath.

Abstract: This metal deposition/material removal technique modifies free-standing or submerged jet plating with an electromagnetic energy beam such as an intense laser beam, directed collinearly along the jet. Experiments were made to deposit gold contact areas on nickel plated beryllium-copper substrates used for microelectronic connectors. The deposits are found to be crack-free and dense, possessing excellent adhesion to the substrate. Deposition rates for 0.05 cm diameter gold spots are on the order of 10 micrometers per second.

Abstract: Abrasive articles, such as finger nail files, are made by stamping a metal sheet to form a blank with a header strip having a plurality of spaced fingers depending therefrom, coating the fingers with a slurry of abrasive granules and flowable plastics material adhesive, curing the coating to anchor the abrasive particles to the fingers, vacuum depositing a thin strike coating of copper or copper alloy over the cured resin coating and then electro depositing a coating of nickel over the vacuum deposited copper. The abrasive granules are preferably aluminum oxide, the resin carrier for the granules is preferably an epoxide thermosetting resin, and the metal coatings are controlled to form thin sheaths around the resin coating leaving the peaks of the abrasive granules exposed or only covered with very thin coatings which break off or wear away when subjected to friction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plating an article having a portion that needs no plating at a high speed including as main components a chuck for chucking the article at the portion above stated and a shield cover for enclosing the chuck, maintaining a space therebetween. The space indicated above works to prevent an electrolyte from raising its level, thus keeping said portion out of said the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention includes within its scope a method for producing a dual porosity body from a substrate having a plurality of passageways traversing the substrate and connecting a first surface with a generally opposing second surface by depositing a solid material onto the walls of at least a portion of the passageways adjoining only the first surface and stopping the deposition when the diameter of the passageways being coated have been reduced to a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of electroforming a metal screen by electrolytically depositing a metal upon a metal matrix, having recesses filled with insulating material, a separating means, such as beeswax, being provided upon the ribs bounding the recesses.The formed first screen skeleton is removed and subjected to an electrolysis in a second electrolytic bath for depositing the same or another metal upon the first screen skeleton.Finally from a third electrolytic bath a top layer of metal is deposited upon the layer deposited from the second electrolytic bath.In a preferred process the first electrolytic bath is a nickel bath, the second electrolytic bath is an iron bath or a bath of a nickel-iron alloy and the third electrolytic bath a nickel or nickel-tin alloy bath.The second and other or third electrolytic bath contain an organic compound improving deposit of metal or metal alloy substantially perpendicular to the surface of the skeleton.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrolytic etching of cast dental alloys and pre-existing amalgam restorations provides a DC source for etching of the selected metalwork and an AC source for removal of the oxide coating produced by the etching process. Metal framework so etched and cleaned facilitate resin bonding as in resin-bonded retainers for fixed bridgework, resin-bonded crowns, resin-bonded orthodontic brackets, resin-coated amalgam and cast restorations, resin-coated partial denture clasps, and the like.

Abstract: A process for cleaning porous metal filters, particularly stainless steel filters, comprising the steps of:(1) electrolyzing the filter in an electrolyte bath using the filter as one of the electrodes, preferably as the cathode of the electrolytic system, and subjecting the system to an imposed or applied current, highly preferably a DC current; and(2) rinsing the filter to remove electrolytic solution from the filter and flush any residual contaminants from the filter.When organic material is to be removed, a baking step prior to the electrolysis step is used.

Abstract: A plating cell for plating edge connector tabs of printed circuit boards comprises a pair of anode structures 119, each of which has a pair of elongate anodic platinized titanium plates 131 spaced apart by an anode divider 150. Castellations in the anode structures give rise to holes 132 through which electrolyte can flow. By means of this configuration of the anode structures an even deposit of plated metal may be obtained.