Abstract: A method for forming a chromium nitride coating over a substrate to provide a chromium nitride coated article, and the resulting chromium nitride coated article, each use a bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer deposited over a UV-absorbing material layer deposited over a leveling material layer on the substrate. The bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer includes: (1) a first chromium nitride material layer having a first thickness, a first uniform chromium concentration and a first uniform nitrogen concentration located and formed closer to a substrate which provides the article; and (2) a second chromium nitride material layer having a second thickness, a second increasingly graded chromium concentration and a second decreasingly graded nitrogen concentration located and formed upon the first chromium nitride material layer. This particular bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer provides the article with superior reflectivity and crack resistance.

Abstract: A method for forming a chromium nitride coating over a substrate to provide a chromium nitride coated article, and the resulting chromium nitride coated article, each use a bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer. The bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer includes: (1) a first chromium nitride material layer having a first thickness, a first uniform chromium concentration and a first uniform nitrogen concentration located and formed closer to a substrate which provides the article; and (2) a second chromium nitride material layer having a second thickness, a second increasingly graded chromium concentration and a second decreasingly graded nitrogen concentration located and formed upon the first chromium nitride material layer. This particular bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer provides the article with superior reflectivity and crack resistance.

Abstract: A method for forming a chromium nitride coating over a substrate to provide a chromium nitride coated article, and the resulting chromium nitride coated article, each use a bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer. The bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer includes: (1) a first chromium nitride material layer having a first thickness, a first uniform chromium concentration and a first uniform nitrogen concentration located and formed closer to a substrate which provides the article; and (2) a second chromium nitride material layer having a second thickness, a second increasingly graded chromium concentration and a second decreasingly graded nitrogen concentration located and formed upon the first chromium nitride material layer. This particular bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer provides the article with superior reflectivity and crack resistance.

Abstract: An electric arc vapor deposition device is disclosed in which the negative side of an arc power supply is switched back and forth between the two ends of a cylindrical cathode to cause an arc struck between an anode and the cathode to travel back and forth along the length of the cathode. Adjustably positioned proximity sensors are disposed adjacent the two ends of the cathode to sense the presence of the arc and cause a switching circuit to change the power supply connection from one cathode end to the other. The cylindrical shape of the cathode causes the arc to spiral around the cathode as it travels along its length thus causing a very uniform erosion of material off of the cathode's surface. Since the arc is allowed to travel substantially along the entire length of the cathode, use of a relatively long cathode permits large articles or quantities of articles to be coated evenly.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus for an electric arc vapor deposition machine has an electrode body with a coaxially aligned stud threaded into its rear surface and projecting substantially perpendicularly thereto. The distal end of the stud is threaded for rapid detachable fastening to an electrode support means such that the periphery of the rear surface of the electrode is uniformly drawn toward engagement with the electrode support means. A seal member forms a fluid tight seal between the peripheral rear surface of the electrode body and the electrode support means, which cooperatively define a coolant cavity for actively and efficiently cooling substantially the entire lower surface of the electrode. The electrode support means includes means for directly bathing the seal with liquid coolant from the coolant cavity. The simple threaded stud mounting configuration allows a spent cathode to be rapidly replaced.

Abstract: An improved electric arc vapor deposition source plate mounting assembly (8) is disclosed. The source plate assembly is formed of a plurality of cooperatively mating sections (12, 22 and 24) that are secured to one another by fastening members (30, 32). The innermost section (24) carries an electrode (26) of coating source material. Insulator seal rings (56, 58) electrically isolate the mating sections (12, 22 and 24) from one another while forming a vacuum seal between the respective mating members. The insulator seal rings (56, 58) have two adjoining sections annularly displaced from one another such that the rings are self-centering between the respective mating members. The insulator rings preferably have a substantially L-shaped cross-section and include an enlarged bulge portion (61) for improved sealing characteristics.

Abstract: A trigger apparatus and method for striking an electrical arc at the surface of a coating source material within a vapor deposition chamber is disclosed. A plunger member is mounted for axial movement in a housing configured for attachment to an inlet port of a deposition chamber. The plunger has one end adapted to carry an arc-initiating wire contact. A pneumatic drive cylinder axially reciprocates the plunger member with positive force strokes in both directions such that the wire contact alternately engages and disengages the surface of the cathode source material. Seal means are provided for maintaining a vacuum seal of the deposition chamber through the trigger apparatus. Dynamic shield means are mounted adjacent the inlet port for protecting the seal members from being coated by vapor particles within the deposition chamber. Alignment means cooperatively engage the plunger member for maintaining a positive angular position of the plunger member during reciprocal motion thereof.