Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the plasma-nitriding of precipitation-hardenable stainless steels or stainless maraging steels. The invention also relates to a shaver cap for an electric shaver. The invention also relates to a cutting device. The invention further relates to an electric shaver comprising at least one such cutting device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting element as used in an electric shaver. Said element is manufactured from maraging or precipitation-hardenable stainless steel with a surface hardened by plasma nitriding. The cutting element is plasma nitriding hardened on all surfaces of the blade, and a plasma nitriding hardened layer comprises a surface top layer of steel supersaturated with nitrogen and a diffusion layer adjoining the top layer with a hardness ranging from the hardness of the top layer to the hardness of the steel before hardening by means of plasma nitriding. Also disclosed is an electric shaver comprising at least one of the above cutting elements, as well as a method of manufacturing a cutting element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron having a metal soleplate, which is provided with an anti-friction layer containing an inorganic polymer. To improve the scratch resistance of the anti-friction layer, a hard intermediate layer is provided between the predominantly aluminum part of the soleplate facing the anti-friction layer and the anti-friction layer.This intermediate layer is preferably composed of aluminum oxide which is provided by means of an electrochemical treatment. The use of polymerized alkyl trialkoxysilane, in particular methyl trimethoxysilane, in the anti-friction layer makes it possible to obtain layers which are thicker and hence more scratch-resistant. In such layers, oxidic nano-particles and inorganic color pigments may be incorporated, which cause a further increase of the scratch resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron comprising a metal soleplate which is provided with an anti-friction layer of an inorganic polymer, preferably of polysilicate, which is provided by a sol-gel process. Such anti-friction layers exhibit a high hardness, a high corrosion resistance and a satisfactory resistance against rapid temperature variations. The anti-friction layer preferably also comprises fluoridized hydrocarbon compounds. By virtue of these compounds the anti-friction layer has a higher coefficient of friction which is comparable to that of teflon. The anti-friction layer can be provided in various ways. Preferably, it is provided by spraying.

Abstract: A hardmetal object is cathodically protected from corrosion by a protective electrode during the spark-erosion process, which protective electrode is electrically connected to the hardmetal object via an external power source. The protective electrode is preferably plate-shaped.