Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a substrate and an optically black surface on the substrate and having an absorptivity of more than about 0.89 and an emissivity more than about 0.86. The surface comprises boron particles plasma spray applied to the substrate using a powder selected from the group consisting of crystalline boron having a particle size finer than about 200 mesh and amorphous boron.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a substrate and an optically black surface on the substrate and having an absorptivity of more than about 0.89 and an emissivity more than about 0.86. The surface comprises boron particles plasma spray applied to the substrate using a powder selected from the group consisting of crystalline boron having a particle size finer than about 200 mesh and amorphous boron.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that an optically black electroplated cobalt/cobalt oxide surface which has been anodized and then preferably calcined has both a high emissivity and high absorptivity, and is stable against loss of absorptivity at temperatures of more than 450.degree. C. for prolonged periods. Preferably, the optically black cobalt oxide surfaces of the present invention have an absorptivity of at least about 0.96 and an emissivity of at least about 0.6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite ductile metal foil having an optically black surface comprising a metal foil substrate having a thickness effective for shaping and reshaping; a black chromium surface applied to at least one side of said substrate by electrodeposition; said surface having a solar absorptivity of at least about 0.95; an emissivity in the range of about 0.4 to about 0.8; and an adhesion strength effective to resist spalling when a two inch by two inch sample of said composite foil is subjected to repeated deformation around a one mil diameter mandrel. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is molybdenum.