Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for depositing uniform coatings using cylindrical magnetron sputtering. The devices and methods of the invention are useful in depositing coatings on non-cylindrical workpiece surfaces. An assembly of electromagnets located within the bore of a hollow cylindrical emitter is used to form a magnetic field exterior to and near the exterior surface of the emitter. The magnet assembly configuration is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour. The electromagnet assembly may be a plurality of magnet units, each unit having at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field strength from each magnet unit is separately and electrically adjustable. Each electromagnet in the assembly has a coil of electrically conducting material surrounding a specially shaped core of magnetic material.

Abstract: Coated gun barrels comprising a metallic coating on the inner surface or bore surface of the gun barrel are provided, the coating comprising a first metallic component, molybdenum and optionally titanium. The first metallic component may be tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), zirconium (Zr), rhenium (Re), hafnium (Hf), tungsten (W) or combinations thereof. The coated gun barrels can display improved fatigue, thermal resistance, corrosion resistance, erosion resistance, crack resistance and/or wear resistance as compared to uncoated gun barrels, conventionally coated gun barrels or gun barrels with inserts.

Abstract: Multi-component sputtering target structures suitable for deposition of metallic alloy films are provided. The multi-component target may be formed by winding wires of different materials around a target support structure to form a dense winding. The sputtering target structures and methods of the invention can be used to produce a variety of refractory metal alloy films.

Abstract: Multi-component sputtering target structures suitable for deposition of metallic alloy films are provided. The multi-component target may be formed by winding wires of different materials around a target support structure to form a dense winding. The sputtering target structures and methods of the invention can be used to produce a variety of refractory metal alloy films.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for depositing uniform coatings using cylindrical magnetron sputtering. The devices and methods of the invention are useful in depositing coatings on non-cylindrical workpiece surfaces. An assembly of electromagnets located within the bore of a hollow cylindrical emitter is used to form a magnetic field exterior to and near the exterior surface of the emitter. The magnet assembly configuration is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour. The electromagnet assembly may be a plurality of magnet units, each unit having at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field strength from each magnet unit is separately and electrically adjustable. Each electromagnet in the assembly has a coil of electrically conducting material surrounding a specially shaped core of magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for depositing uniform coatings using cylindrical magnetron sputtering. The devices and methods of the invention are useful in depositing coatings on non-cylindrical workpiece surfaces. An assembly of electromagnets located within the bore of a hollow cylindrical emitter is used to form a magnetic field exterior to and near the exterior surface of the emitter. The magnet assembly configuration is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour. The electromagnet assembly may be a plurality of magnet units, each unit having at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field strength from each magnet unit is separately and electrically adjustable. Each electromagnet in the assembly has a coil of electrically conducting material surrounding a specially shaped core of magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for depositing uniform coatings using cylindrical magnetron sputtering. The devices and methods of the invention are useful in depositing coatings on non-cylindrical workpiece surfaces. An assembly of electromagnets located within the bore of a hollow cylindrical emitter is used to form a magnetic field exterior to and near the exterior surface of the emitter. The magnet assembly configuration is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour. The electromagnet assembly may be a plurality of magnet units, each unit having at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field strength from each magnet unit is separately and electrically adjustable. Each electromagnet in the assembly has a coil of electrically conducting material surrounding a specially shaped core of magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for depositing uniform coatings using cylindrical magnetron sputtering. The devices and methods of the invention are useful in depositing coatings on non-cylindrical workpiece surfaces. An assembly of electromagnets located within the bore of a hollow cylindrical emitter is used to form a magnetic field exterior to and near the exterior surface of the emitter. The magnet assembly configuration is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour. The electromagnet assembly may be a plurality of magnet units, each unit having at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field strength from each magnet unit is separately and electrically adjustable. Each electromagnet in the assembly has a coil of electrically conducting material surrounding a specially shaped core of magnetic material.

Abstract: A method of applying diffusion coatings by magnetron sputtering includes the use of a solenoid coil which produces an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat the article to be coated. The coating may preferably be a multi-layer or multi-component diffusion coating which may include a diffusion barrier and/or a thermal barrier.

Abstract: An elongate emitter is used as a cathode to coat material onto a cylindrical workpiece by magnetron sputterinig. Where the inside surface of the workpiece is coated, the workpiece itself is used as the vacuum sputtering chamber. The overlap between the plasma field and the magnetic field creates a coating zone which is moved along the length of the workpiece to evenly coat the workpicce.