Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for a metal or non-metal substrate comprising (i) a thermal sprayed bondcoat layer applied to the substrate, and (ii) a thermal sprayed ceramic layer applied to the bondcoat layer; wherein said coating has a helium leak rate of less than 6×10?6 standard cubic centimeters per second. The thermal sprayed bondcoat layer comprises an alloy of MCrAlM? wherein M is an element selected from nickel, cobalt, iron and mixtures thereof, and M? is an element selected from yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, ytterbium and mixtures thereof. The alloy is thermally sprayed from a powder having a mean particle size of 50 percentile point in distribution of from about 5 microns to about 100 microns. The coatings are useful for extending the service life under severe conditions, such as those associated with metallurgical vessels' lances, nozzles and tuyeres.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for a metal or non-metal substrate comprising (i) a thermal sprayed bondcoat layer applied to said substrate comprising an alloy of MCrAlM? wherein M is an element selected from nickel, cobalt, iron and mixtures thereof, and M? is an element selected from yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, ytterbium and mixtures thereof, and wherein M comprises from about 35 to about 80 weight percent of said alloy, Cr comprises from about 15 to about 45 weight percent of said alloy, Al comprises from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of said alloy, and M? comprises from about 0.01 to about 1.0 weight percent of said alloy, said alloy thermally sprayed from a powder having a mean particle size of 50 percentile point in distribution of from about 5 microns to about 100 microns, said bondcoat having a surface roughness of at least 200 micro-inches, and said bondcoat having a thermal expansion of about 6.5 millimeters per meter or less between a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 525° C.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapor deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapor deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.

Abstract: Production of an anti-microbial effect in an alcohol or water based electrolyte is achieved by preparing silver materials that form complex ions other than Ag.sup.+, Ag.sup.2+, or Ag.sup.3+, and which produce an anti-microbial effect that is greater than that produced by an equivalent amount of silver as Ag.sup.+. Exemplary complex silver ions produced include Ag(CN).sub.2.sup.-, AgCN(.sub.aq)(ion pair), Ag(NH.sub.3).sub.2.sup.+, AgCl.sub.2.sup.-, Ag(OH).sub.2.sup.-, Ag.sub.2 (OH).sub.3.sup.-, Ag.sub.3 (OH).sub.4.sup.-, and Ag(S.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.2.sup.3-. The silver materials may be prepared as powders or as solutions or suspensions containing the complex silver ions. The silver materials might also be prepared as coatings, foils, powders, or fine grain or nanocrystalline powders, which are formed with atomic disorder to provide sustained release of the complex silver ions.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapour deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapour deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor bed useful for sintering ceramics, ceramic composites and metal powders is disclosed. The susceptor bed contains granules of a major amount of a microwave susceptor material, and a minor amount of a refractory parting agent, either dispersed in the susceptor material, or as a coating on the susceptor material. Alumina is the preferred susceptor material. Carbon is the most preferred parting agent. A sintering process using the bed and novel silicon nitride products produced thereby are described.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapor deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapor deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor bed useful for sintering ceramics, ceramic composites and metal powders is disclosed. The susceptor bed contains granules of a major amount of a microwave susceptor material, and a minor amount of a refractory parting agent, either dispersed in the susceptor material, or as a coating on the susceptor material. Alumina is the preferred susceptor material. Carbon is the most preferred parting agent. A sintering process using the bed and novel silicon nitride products produced thereby are described.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor bed useful for sintering ceramics, ceramic composites and metal powders is described. The susceptor bed includes granules of a major amount of a microwave susceptor material, and a minor amount of a refractory parting agent, either dispersed in the susceptor material, or as a coating on the susceptor material. Alumina is the preferred susceptor material. Carbon is the most preferred parting agent. Also described is a sintering process using the bed and to novel silicon nitride products produced thereby.