Abstract: A system to coat a substrate includes a deposition chamber maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure, one or more arrays containing two or more expanding thermal plasma sources associated with the deposition chamber, and at least one injector containing orifices for each array. The substrate is positioned in the deposition chamber and each expanding thermal plasma source produces a plasma jet with a central axis, while the injector injects vaporized reagents into the plasma to form a coating that is deposited on the substrate. The injector orifices are located within a specified distance from the expanding thermal plasma source to obtain generally a coating with generally uniform coating properties.

Abstract: A non-planar article includes a plasma deposited abrasion resistant coating with a substantially uniform thickness and a substantially uniform abrasion resistance with delta haze (%) in the range between about +/?0.25 of the mean value.

Abstract: A reflective article useful, for example, in automotive headlights includes a substrate, a reflective metal layer, and a haze-prevention layer between the substrate and the reflective metal layer. The substrate includes an amorphous thermoplastic resin having a heat distortion temperature of at least about 140° C., a density less than 1.7 grams per milliliter, and an organic volatiles content less than 1,000 parts per million measured according to ASTM D4526. The haze-prevention layer includes a material having a volume resistivity of at least 1×10?4 ohm-centimeters and a tensile modulus of at least about 3×105 pounds per square inch. The article resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a substrate, a reflective metal layer, and a haze-prevention layer between the substrate and the reflective metal layer. The substrate includes an amorphous thermoplastic resin having a heat distortion temperature of at least about 140° C., a density less than 1.7 grams per milliliter, and an organic volatiles content less than 1,000 parts per million measured according to ASTM D4526. The haze-prevention layer includes a material having a volume resistivity of at least 1×10?4 ohm-centimeters and a tensile modulus of at least about 3×105 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A reflective article useful, for example, in automotive headlights includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The article resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An article of a plastic substrate and a bond layer of a plasma polymerized cyclosiloxane having select unsaturation and a method of forming same.

Abstract: An article of a plastic substrate and a bond layer of a plasma polymerized cyclosiloxane having select unsaturation and a method of forming same.

Abstract: A reflective article useful, for example, in automotive headlights includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The article resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a substrate, a reflective metal layer, and a haze-prevention layer between the substrate and the reflective metal layer. The substrate includes an amorphous thermoplastic resin having a heat distortion temperature of at least about 140° C., a density less than 1.7 grams per milliliter, and an organic volatiles content less than 1,000 parts per million measured according to ASTM D4526. The haze-prevention layer includes a material having a volume resistivity of at least 1×10−4 ohm-centimeters and a tensile modulus of at least about 3×105 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A reflective article useful, for example, in automotive headlights includes a substrate, a reflective metal layer, and a haze-prevention layer between the substrate and the reflective metal layer. The substrate includes an amorphous thermoplastic resin having a heat distortion temperature of at least about 140° C., a density less than 1.7 grams per milliliter, and an organic volatiles content less than 1,000 parts per million measured according to ASTM D4526. The haze-prevention layer includes a material having a volume resistivity of at least 1×10−4 ohm-centimeters and a tensile modulus of at least about 3×105 pounds per square inch. The article resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A diamond article, for example, a sheet-form diamond tool insert brazable in air. The diamond sheet has a dual layer coating, a WTi bonding layer and a protective braze compatible overcoat, such as a Ag overcoat. The interface between the WTi layer and the diamond substrate includes sufficient metal carbide component to provide adhesion. Once coated with the WTi layer and the protective overcoat, the dual-coated diamond insert may be air brazed to a tool substrate in a manufacturing environment using a standard braze without a vacuum furnace or special atmosphere. A method for manufacturing the diamond insert is also disclosed. The diamond insert is coated and heat treated in an oxygen- and nitrogen-free atmosphere to create metal carbide at the diamond-coating interface.

Abstract: Tool inserts are produced that can be brazed in air at temperatures as low as 700.degree. C. The tool compact, such as a polycrystalline diamond compact or a cubic boron nitride compact, has a multilayer coating comprising a metal bonding layer and a protective layer. Once coated with the bonding layer and the protective layer, the tool insert can be air brazed to a tool support in a manufacturing environment using a standard braze without a vacuum furnace or special atmosphere. A method for manufacturing the tool insert is also disclosed.

Abstract: Differences in thermal expansion properties between integrated circuit chips, especially of gallium arsenide, and the dielectric substrates (especially diamond and aluminum nitride) on which said chips are mounted are accommodating by interposing between the substrate and the chip a mixed metal layer comprising at least one ductile, thermally conductive metal such as copper and at least one other metal, preferably a refractory metal, having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, preferably tungsten. A compliant metal layer, typically of aluminum, silver, copper or gold, is preferably interposed between the substrate and the mixed metal layer.

Abstract: A diamond article, for example, a sheet-form diamond tool insert brazable in air. The diamond sheet has a dual layer coating, a chromium bonding layer and a protective braze compatible overcoat, such as a Ni overcoat. The interface between the Cr layer and the diamond substrate includes sufficient metal carbide component to provide adhesion. Once coated with the Cr layer and the protective overcoat, the dual-coated diamond insert may be air brazed to a tool substrate in a manufacturing environment using a standard braze without a vacuum furnace or special atmosphere. A method for manufacturing the diamond insert comprises the steps of depositing a chromium metal layer on a diamond substrate, depositing a substantially non-oxidizable protective layer on the metal layer and heating the dual-coated diamond article at a temperature for a sufficient time. The diamond insert is coated and heat treated in an oxygen- and nitrogen-free atmosphere to create metal carbide at the diamond-coating interface.

Abstract: A diamond article, for example, a sheet-form diamond tool insert brazable in air. The diamond sheet has a dual layer coating, a WTi bonding layer and a protective braze compatible overcoat, such as a Ag overcoat. The interface between the WTi layer and the diamond substrate includes sufficient metal carbide component to provide adhesion. Once coated with the WTi layer and the protective overcoat, the dual-coated diamond insert may be air brazed to a tool substrate in a manufacturing environment using a standard braze without a vacuum furnace or special atmosphere. A method for manufacturing the diamond insert is also disclosed. The diamond insert is coated and heat treated in an oxygen- and nitrogen-free atmosphere to create metal carbide at the diamond-coating interface.

Abstract: A process for making metallized vias in diamond substrates is disclosed. The process involves laser-drilling a plurality of holes in a CVD diamond substrate and depositing tungsten, or a similar refractory metal, in the holes by low pressure CVD to provide substantially void-free metallized vias. Diamond substrates having metallized vias are also disclosed. The structures are useful for making multichip modules for high clock rate computers.

Abstract: Divalent titanium is prepared by the reduction of higher valence titanium halides in a molten salt electrolyte for subsequent titanium deposition with aluminum to form alloys exhibiting excellent mechanical properties for use at high temperatures. At least one aluminum halide such as AlCl.sub.3 is combined with aluminum metal, at least one titanium halide such as TiCl.sub.3 where the titanium has a valence greater than two, and at least one salt capable of forming a melt with said aluminum halide at temperatures up to about 250.degree. C. to form a molten salt electrolyte. The salt may be an alkali, alkaline earth or organic halide. Upon heating in an inert atmosphere at a temperature greater than the melting point of the electrolyte, the higher valence titanium is reduced by aluminum metal to form divalent titanium. Titanium-aluminum alloys of up to 50 atomic percent titanium can then be deposited from the electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the adhesion of a refractory metal deposited on diamond is disclosed. The process involves depositing an initial thin metal coating by low pressure chemical vapor deposition on diamond, heat treating in a non-oxidizing environment, and continuing the deposition of the initial metal coating until a desired thickness is achieved. Diamond sheets that have undergone the inventive process where 15 micrometers of tungsten are deposited, exhibit tungsten adhesive values in excess of 10,000 pounds per square inch.