Abstract: Composite coatings having improved abrasion and dent resistance are described. According to some embodiments, the composite coatings include an outer hard layer and an intermediate layer between the outer hard layer and a metal substrate. The intermediate layer can have a hardness that is less than the hard outer layer but greater than the metal substrate. In this arrangement, the intermediate layer can act as a structural support that resists plastic deformation when an impact force is applied to the coating. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer is composed of a porous anodic oxide material. In some embodiments, the outer hard layer is composed of a ceramic material or a hard carbon-based material, such as diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may include a conductive housing. A corrosion-resistant coating may be deposited on the conductive housing. The coating may include transition layers and an uppermost alloy layer. The transition layers may include a chromium seed layer on the conductive housing and a chromium nitride layer on the chromium seed layer. The uppermost alloy layer may include TiCrCN or other alloys and may provide the coating with desired optical reflection and absorption characteristics. The transition layers may include a minimal number of coating defects, thereby eliminating potential sites at which visible defects could form when exposed to salt water. This may allow the electronic device to exhibit a desired color and to be submerged in salt water without producing undesirable visible defects on the conductive housing structures.

Abstract: The thermal barrier coating system comprises a matrix of a first chemistry with multiple embedded second phases of a second chemistry. The matrix comprises a stabilized zirconia. The second regions comprise at least 40 mole percent of oxides having the formula Ln2O3, where Ln is selected from the lanthanides La through Lu, Y, Sc, In, Ca, and Mg with the balance zirconia (ZrO2), hafnia (HfO2), titania (TiO2), or mixtures thereof. The second phases have a characteristic thickness (T6) of less than 2.0 micrometers (?m). The spacing between second phases has a characteristic thickness (T5) of less than 8.0 micrometers (?m).

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.

Abstract: A coating-substrate combination includes: a Ni-based superalloy substrate comprising, by weight percent: 2.0-5.1 Cr; 0.9-3.3 Mo; 3.9-9.8 W; 2.2-6.8 Ta; 5.4-6.5 Al; 1.8-12.8 Co; 2.8-5.8 Re; 2.8-7.2 Ru; and a coating comprising, exclusive of Pt group elements, by weight percent: Ni as a largest content; 5.8-9.3 Al; 4.4-25 Cr; 3.0-13.5 Co; up to 6.0 Ta, if any; up to 6.2 W, if any; up to 2.4 Mo, if any; 0.3-0.6 Hf; 0.1-0.4 Si; up to 0.6 Y, if any; up to 0.4 Zr, if any; up to 1.0 Re, if any.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.

Abstract: A coated article has: a metallic substrate (22); a bondcoat (30); and a thermal barrier coating (TBC) (28). The bondcoat has a first layer (32) and a second layer (34), the first layer having a lower Cr content than the second layer.

Abstract: Composite coatings having improved abrasion and dent resistance are described. According to some embodiments, the composite coatings include an outer hard layer and an intermediate layer between the outer hard layer and a metal substrate. The intermediate layer can have a hardness that is less than the hard outer layer but greater than the metal substrate. In this arrangement, the intermediate layer can act as a structural support that resists plastic deformation when an impact force is applied to the coating. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer is composed of a porous anodic oxide material. In some embodiments, the outer hard layer is composed of a ceramic material or a hard carbon-based material, such as diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic films and methods for forming anodic films. The methods described can be used to form anodic films that have a white appearance. Methods involve positioning reflective particles on or within a substrate prior to or during an anodizing process. The reflective particles are positioned within the metal oxide of the resultant anodic film but substantially outside the pores of the anodic film. The reflective particles scatter incident light giving the resultant anodic film a white appearance.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are described. An electrical contact can be formed on an exterior surface of a housing of an electronic device and can be cosmetically similar to the exterior surface. For example, the electrical contact can include a conductive plug inserted through an opening in a wall of the housing. A metallic coating can be applied to an outward-facing end of the conductive plug and fill up an outer portion of the opening until the metallic coating is about flush with the exterior surface of the housing. Properties of the metallic coating can be selected to closely match a color and a texture of the housing.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to treated titanium alloys comprising a titanium substrate coated with an oxidized surface coating or an oxide-interdiffused titanium substrate. By creating an oxidized surface coating or oxide-interdiffused titanium substrate at the titanium substrate surface, the resulting treated titanium alloy has a dark color (e.g., grey to black).

Abstract: A patch for a device in an electronic housing including an aluminum layer having a threshold thickness, a non-conductive layer on a first side of the aluminum layer, and a radio-frequency (RF) transparent layer on a second side of the aluminum layer is provided. A method for manufacturing an antenna window including a patch as above is also provided, the method including determining a thickness of the aluminum layer adjacent to an anodized aluminum layer. A method for manufacturing an antenna window including coating an aluminum layer having a threshold thickness on a radio-frequency (RF) transparent layer to form an RF transparent laminate is also provided. A method for manufacturing an antenna window including removing a thickness of aluminum is also provided. A method for manufacturing an antenna window including disposing a mask on an aluminum substrate and anodizing the aluminum substrate to a selected thickness is also provided.

Abstract: A die casting die includes a shoe comprised of a first material and includes a pocket. An insert is arranged in the pocket. The insert is comprised of a second material that is different from the first material and the insert provides a contoured surface. A coating is on the contoured surface. The coating provides a cast part contour.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to treated titanium alloys comprising a titanium substrate coated with an oxidized surface coating or an oxide-interdiffused titanium substrate. By creating an oxidized surface coating or oxide-interdiffused titanium substrate at the titanium substrate surface, the resulting treated titanium alloy has a dark color (e.g., grey to black).

Abstract: Electrical contacts are described. An electrical contact can be formed on an exterior surface of a housing of an electronic device and can be cosmetically similar to the exterior surface. For example, the electrical contact can include a conductive plug inserted through an opening in a wall of the housing. A metallic coating can be applied to an outward-facing end of the conductive plug and fill up an outer portion of the opening until the metallic coating is about flush with the exterior surface of the housing. Properties of the metallic coating can be selected to closely match a color and a texture of the housing.

Abstract: The thermal barrier coating system comprises a matrix of a first chemistry with multiple embedded second phases of a second chemistry. The matrix comprises a stabilized zirconia. The second regions comprise at least 40 mole percent of oxides having the formula Ln2O3, where Ln is selected from the lanthanides La through Lu, Y, Sc, In, Ca, and Mg with the balance zirconia (ZrO2), hafnia (HfO2), titania (TiO2), or mixtures thereof. The second phases have a characteristic thickness (T6) of less than 2.0 micrometers (?m). The spacing between second phases has a characteristic thickness (T5) of less than 8.0 micrometers (?m).

Abstract: A wireless electronic device may be provided with components such as electrical and structural components. During transmission of radio-frequency signals, antennas and wireless communications circuitry of the wireless electronic device may produce associated time-varying magnetic fields. One or more components may be covered with magnetic-resistant shield structures that protect the components from the time-varying magnetic fields by preventing magnetic-induced vibrations. The magnetic-resistant shield structures may include a conductive base layer such a layer of brass. A magnetic-resistant layer may be plated onto the conductive base layer. The magnetic-resistant layer may be formed from an amorphous nickel-phosphorous alloy. The amorphous nickel-phosphorous alloy may be produced by controlling the manufacturing temperature and proportion of phosphorous in the alloy while performing the plating operations within a length of time that ensures non-equilibrium conditions during the plating operations.

Abstract: A method for coating a turbine engine component comprises the steps of: providing a turbine engine component having at least one sacrificial attachment on a first side; grasping the turbine engine component via the at least one sacrificial attachment to position a first surface of the turbine engine component relative to a source of coating material; and applying a coating to said first side.

Abstract: A coated article has: a metallic substrate (22); a bondcoat (30); and a thermal barrier coating (TBC) (28). The bondcoat has a first layer (32) and a second layer (34), the first layer having a lower Cr content than the second layer.

Abstract: An oxidation resistant coating system for a turbine engine component includes a cathodic arc coating applied to a surface of the engine component, a thin APS metallic coating applied to a surface of the cathodic arc coating, and a ceramic top coating applied to a surface of the thin APS metallic coating to improve lifetime of the engine components.