Abstract: A thin layer is deposited on a surface having a roughness profile whereof the parameters and mean period are determined for improving the tribological performance, so that the ratio A between the square of the mean period of the profile (PSM) in ?m and the roughness profile (Pa) in ?m, as defined by French standard ISO 4288, is equal to or greater than 5×105 ?m.

Abstract: A part has a layer with a WC-C composition gradient, with the exception of a metal-containing undercoat and with the exception of an ion implantation layer and a DLC surface layer having cohesive behaviour in scratch tests.

Abstract: A molten-salt bath for nitriding mechanical steel parts, essentially consisting of the following (the contents being expressed in wt %): 25 to 60 wt % of alkali-metal chlorides; 10 to 40 wt % of alkali-metal carbonates; 20 to 50 wt % of alkali-metal cyanates; and a maximum of 3 wt % of cyanide ions (formed during the use of the bath), wherein the total of the contents is 100 wt %. Preferably, the bath contains: 25 to 30 wt % of sodium cyanate; 25 to 30 wt % of sodium carbonate and lithium carbonate; 40 to 50 wt % of potassium chlorides; and a maximum of 3 wt % of cyanide ions (formed during the use of the bath), the total of the contents being 100 wt %.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superficial treatment method by electrolysis of ferrous surfaces to enhance friction or tread and seizing resistance features, wherein the surfaces provide the electrolysis anode, the electrolysis bath includes a sulphur species, primarily contains water and also contains a chloride salt and a nitrogen species in quantities which facilitates the sulphuration reaction of the surfaces.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a heating a element includes modifying the surface state of a substrate in order to obtain at least one smooth area of low roughness and at least one rough area having a higher roughness; applying a highly electrically conductive material to these various areas; and connecting smooth area(s) of the conductive material to an electrical power source.

Abstract: According to the method, drops of an adhesive material are deposited on one of the plates, with the drops being spaced from one another. A grid having a predefined thickness lower than that of the drops is applied to the plate receiving the drops. A perpendicular and uniform pressure is applied to at least one of the plates, so that the drops spread and come into contact with the opposing sides of the two plates. The spacing of the drops is defined so that after spreading under the pressure applied, air is not trapped between the drops.

Abstract: A method for processing parts for kitchen tools in order to protect the parts from scratches, includes sequentially: a nitridation step, optionally including a nitrocarburizing step, between 592 and 750° C. in order to promote the formation of a nitrogen austenite layer; and a processing step for promoting the conversion of at least a portion of the nitrogen austenite into a phase with reinforced hardness.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a heating a element includes modifying the surface state of a substrate in order to obtain at least one smooth area of low roughness and at least one rough area having a higher roughness; applying a highly electrically conductive material to these various areas; and connecting smooth area(s) of the conductive material to an electrical power source.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of at least one part by individual sources of an electron cyclotron resonance plasma is characterized by subjecting the part(s) to at least one movement of revolution with regard to at least one fixed linear row of elementary sources. The linear row or rows of elementary sources are disposed parallel to the axis or axes of revolution of the part or parts.

Abstract: A coating includes a thin film which is intended to protect a corrodible part against corrosion and, to some extent, against wear and friction. The coating essentially includes a composition containing silicon, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen such that: the atomic hydrogen concentration, measured using the ERDA technique, is 20 ±5 atoms %; the atomic silicon concentration, measured using the Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique, is between 15 and 28 atoms %; the ratio of the atomic concentrations of nitrogen and carbon (N/C) is greater than 0.9; and the hardness of the material is less than or equal to 2100 daN/mm2.

Abstract: A cathode sputtering target includes: between 30 and 40 atomic % of a metal, between 2 and 10 atomic % of nitrogen, and between 35 and 50 atomic % of oxygen. The remainder up to 100% is constituted by at least one element selected from the group that comprises phosphorous (P), boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), sulphur (S) and aluminium (Al). Also provides a method of manufacturing a thin film from the target, and an electrochemical device comprising the thin film.

Abstract: A device for generating a cold plasma in a vacuum enclosure includes a cathode body having hollow chambers for confining the plasma. Magnets are placed around each hollow chamber for creating a magnetic field forcing electrons to rotate about the field lines. The cathode body cooperates with an element for circulating a coolant to extract the heat generated by an intense ion bombardment at each of the hollow chambers.

Abstract: A thin layer is deposited on a surface having a roughness profile whereof the parameters and mean period are determined for improving the tribological performance, so that the ratio A between the square of the mean period of the profile (PSM) in ?m and the roughness profile (Pa) in ?m, as defined by French standard ISO 4288, is equal to or greater than 5×105 ?m.

Abstract: According to the method, drops of an adhesive material are deposited on one of the plates, with the drops being spaced from one another. A grid having a predefined thickness lower than that of the drops is applied to the plate receiving the drops. A perpendicular and uniform pressure is applied to at least one of the plates, so that the drops (3) spread and come into contact with the opposing sides of the two plates. The spacing of the drops is defined so that after spreading under the pressure applied, air is not trapped between the drops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superficial treatment method by electrolysis of ferrous surfaces to enhance friction or tread and seizing resistance features, wherein the surfaces provide the electrolysis anode, the electrolysis bath includes a sulphur species, primarily contains water and also contains a chloride salt and a nitrogen species in quantities which facilitates the sulphuration reaction of the surfaces.

Abstract: Friction part in a lubricated medium working at contact pressures above 200 MPa and having a contact surface that is textured and subjected, before or after texturizing, to a case hardening treatment for a tribological function, wherein the surface is subjected to operations for producing a periodic network of micrometric cavities having predefined shapes and sizes and a period adapted to the width of the contact surface in order to promote passage to elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating comprising a thin film which is intended to protect a corrodible part against corrosion and, to some extent, against wear and friction, said coating essentially comprising a composition containing silicon, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen such that: the atomic hydrogen concentration, measured using the ERDA technique, is 20±5 atoms %; the atomic silicon concentration, measured using the Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique, is between 15 and 28 atoms %; the ratio of the atomic concentrations of nitrogen and carbon (N/C) is greater than 0.9; and the hardness of the material is less than or equal to 2100 daN/mm2.

Abstract: Ferrous alloy parts are immersed in a bath of an aqueous solution, without passage of an electric current. The solution comprises caustic soda at concentrations of between 400 and about 1000 f/l, sodium thiosulphate at concentrations of between 30 and about 300 g/l, and sodium sulphide at concentrations of between 60 and about 120 g/l. The solution is heated to a temperature between about 100° C. and 140° C. for a period of between 5 and about 30 minutes.

Abstract: A salt bath composition is adapted to form a layer of magnetite Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 on the surface of ferrous metal parts, including nitrided ferrous metal parts, to protect the underlying iron against corrosion. This layer is impermeable and of good crystalline order, as indicated by a deep black color and a corrosion potential greater than 1 000 mV. The composition includes at least nitrate anions and sodium and lithium cations, the latter in a proportion by weight relative to the bath between 0.1% and 5%, preferably between 0.5% and 1.75%. Preferred compositions contain sodium, potassium and lithium cations and nitrate, carbonate and hydroxyl anions, within the following percentage ranges:8.5 .ltoreq.CO.sub.3.sup.2- .ltoreq.2615 .ltoreq.NO.sub.3.sup.- .ltoreq.41.54.7.ltoreq.OH.sup.- .ltoreq.21.