Abstract: A method for pre-treating a substrate for surface coating includes subjecting the substrate to metal ions and noble gas ions selected from the group of argon-ions, krypton-ions, neon-ions, xenon-ions and helium-ions in a vacuum chamber and applying a negative electrical potential on the substrate. The substrate is pre-treated in at least two steps that are performed subsequently in the vacuum chamber. The first step includes providing a plasma of predominantly noble gas ions selected from the group of argon-ions, krypton-ions, neon-ions, xenon-ions and helium-ions in the vacuum chamber, and applying a first negative electrical potential on the substrate. The second step includes providing a plasma of predominantly metal ions in the vacuum chamber, and applying a second negative electrical potential on the substrate, wherein the first electrical potential is lower than the second electrical potential, and wherein the magnitude of the first negative potential is 100-1500 V.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for the protection of substrates operating at moderately elevated temperatures, and, more particularly, for the protection of titanium-alloy aircraft and stationary gas turbine components as well as engine components for automotive applications, articles having such coatings and a method for their production.

Abstract: A PVD process for coating substrates, wherein the substrate is pre-treated in the vapor of a pulsed, magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering operation, and during pre-treatment a magnetic field arrangement of the magnetron cathode type, with a strength of the horizontal component in front of the target of 100 to 1500 Gauss, is used for magnetic field-assistance, and after pre-treatment further coating is effected by means of cathode sputtering and the power density of the pulsed discharge during pre-treatment is greater than 1000 W.cm?2.