Abstract: An apparatus for use in selectively coating all or a portion of the interior surface of a tubular article, the apparatus including a plurality of axially spaced apart masks adapted to fit within the tubular article, support structure spacing apart the masks, and an electrically conductive coating means between the masks. The coating means may be electrically activated to spray the unmasked portion of the inside surface of the tubular article.The apparatus is useful in making tubular articles which are coated on their interior surfaces at selective locations. An alternative embodiment of the apparatus includes masks which have been chamfered. When this alternative apparatus is used to coat the interior surface of the interconnect, a non-uniform coating is delivered to the ends of the area which are coated. Using this alternative apparatus, a stress graded coating may be applied to the selectively coated interior surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in selectively vapor deposition coating the interior surface of a tubular article, the apparatus including a plurality of axially aligned spaced apart masks, the periphery of the masks being complimentary with the tubular article, and a vapor deposition coating means positioned between the masks for depositing a electrically conductive coating onto the unmasked area of the interior of the tubular article.