Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, a method for semiconductor manufacturing comprises forming first and second silicon nitride features on sidewall surfaces of a contact hole, where the contact hole is disposed in a dielectric layer and above a source/drain (S/D) feature. The method further comprises forming a contact plug in the contact hole, the contact plug being electrically coupled to the S/D feature, removing a top portion of the contact plug to create a recess in the contact hole, forming a hard mask layer in the recess, and removing the first and second silicon nitride features via selective etching to form first and second air gaps, respectively.

Abstract: Sprayable low-viscosity compositions have improved acoustic damping properties through the addition to the composition of a sterically hindered phenol, present in an amount from 9% to 18% by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the sterically hindered phenol will have a melting point within the range from 60° C. to 250° C. and a molecular weight of 300 g/mol or less (but not 0).

Abstract: Sprayable low-viscosity compositions have improved acoustic damping properties through the addition to the composition of a sterically hindered phenol, present in an amount from 9% to 18% by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the sterically hindered phenol will have a melting point within the range from 60° C. to 250° C. and a molecular weight of 300 g/mol or less (but not 0).

Abstract: The corrosion resistance of a metal substrate surface treated with an acidic aqueous composition to form a conversion coating is improved by first contacting the surface with an oxidizing acidic pre-rinse, such as an aqueous solution of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, or nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, or Fe+3 cations and hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of heat-curable epoxy-based adhesive compositions that are resistant to being washed off substrate surfaces prior to being cured. The incorporation of a solid diene-based rubber, in particular an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber having a relatively high Mooney viscosity, significantly enhances the wash-off resistance of the adhesive, while still allowing the adhesive to be readily dispensed by pumping under high shear conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of epoxy-based adhesive composition with improved impact resistance and good adhesion to oily metal substrates.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of heat-curable epoxy-based adhesive compositions that are resistant to being washed off substrate surfaces prior to being cured. The incorporation of a solid diene-based rubber, in particular an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber having a relatively high Mooney viscosity, significantly enhances the wash-off resistance of the adhesive, while still allowing the adhesive to be readily dispensed by pumping under high shear conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of epoxy-based adhesive composition with improved impact resistance and good adhesion to oily metal substrates.

Abstract: The corrosion resistance of a metal substrate surface treated with an acidic aqueous composition to form a conversion coating is improved by first contacting the surface with an oxidizing acidic pre-rinse, such as an aqueous solution of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, or nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, or Fe+3 cations and hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture containing acid-stable particles and one or more fluoroacids. The amount of the acid-stable particles in the coating composition is from 0.005% to 8% by weight on a dry weight basis. The acid-stable particles can be selected from aluminum-modified silica particles, nonaluminum-modified silica particles, and organic particles selected from anionically stabilized polymer dispersion particles. The invention is also directed to a coating on a metal substrate. The coating contains acid-stable particles attached to the metal substrate through a metal-oxide matrix. The metal-oxide matrix comprises a metal selected from titanium, zirconium, silicon, hafnium, boron, aluminum, germanium, or tin.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture containing inorganic particles, a catechol compound, and one or more fluoroacids. The preferred fluoroacids are selected from fluorotitanic acid, fluorozirconic acid, fluorosilicic acid, fluoroboric acid, fluorostannic acid, fluorogermanic acid, fluorohafnic acid, fluoroaluminic acid or salts of each thereof. The invention is also directed to a coating on a metal substrate. The coating comprises silica particles attached to the metal substrate through a metal-oxide matrix. The metal-oxide matrix comprises a metal selected from titanium, zirconium, silicon, hafnium, boron, aluminum, germanium, or tin, and a catechol compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising phosphonate metal chelants, chelating agents, and ferrous ions at a pH of about 5 to about 10, and methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture containing acid-stable particles and one or more fluoroacids. The amount of the acid-stable particles in the coating composition is from 0.005% to 8% by weight on a dry weight basis. The acid-stable particles can be selected from aluminum-modified silica particles, nonaluminum-modified silica particles, and organic particles selected from anionically stabilized polymer dispersion particles. The invention is also directed to a coating on a metal substrate. The coating contains acid-stable particles attached to the metal substrate through a metal-oxide matrix. The metal-oxide matrix comprises a metal selected from titanium, zirconium, silicon, hafnium, boron, aluminum, germanium, or tin.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture containing inorganic particles, a catechol compound, and one or more fluoroacids. The preferred fluoroacids are selected from fluorotitanic acid, fluorozirconic acid, fluorosilicic acid, fluoroboronic acid, fluorostannic acid, fluorogermanic acid, fluorohafnic acid, fluoroaluminic acid or salts of each thereof. The invention is also directed to a coating on a metal substrate. The coating comprises silica particles attached to the metal substrate through a metal-oxide matrix. The metal-oxide matrix comprises a metal selected from titanium, zirconium, silicon, hafnium, boron, aluminum, germanium, or tin, and a catechol compound.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon having a pigmented layer with a unique combination of melt viscosity, hardness and mechanical properties and an ultra-thin release layer between the pigmented layer and a substrate is provided. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a release layer having a thickness of 0.1 to 1.0 micron provided on one side of the substrate, the release layer being composed of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer, .alpha.-olefin maleic anhydride copolymer and wax. A pigmented layer is provided on the release layer and is composed of a low structure carbon black, a polystyrene resin and a polyacrylate resin. A heat-resistant backcoat is preferably provided on the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for providing improved specific saturation magnetization of coated iron pigments by coating the iron pigments through contacting them with a solution of a copolymer of a reactive aminoquinone, removing the excess copolymer and drying the coated pigments is provided.

Abstract: Aminoquinones and their use as additives in fluid media for providing corrosion resistance to metals in contact with the fluid medium and their use in preparing copolymers to provide corrosion resistant binder compositions for magnetic information storage media, the copolymers formed, the magnetic information storage media and a method for improving corrosion resistance in magnetic particles are provided.

Abstract: Reactive aminoquinones of formula I or II ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, branched, linear or cyclic C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, aralkyl, or phenyl which may be substituted by linear, branched or cyclic C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, --NO.sub.2, F, OR.sup.2, NR.sup.3.sub.2, wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are linear, branched or cyclic C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, aralkyl or phenyl,R.sup.1 is a linear, branched or cyclic C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkylene chain, phenylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, or --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 50,X is hydroxy, epoxy, vinyl, vinyloxy, acrylate, methacrylate or acylchloroY is N or CH; andR.sup.4 is linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl which are useful in forming copolymers to prepare corrosion resistant binder compositions for magnetic information storage media, the copolymers formed, the magnetic information storage media and a method for improving corrosion resistance in magnetic particles are provided.