Abstract: A coating on a surface of a metallic substrate which includes one or more layers of DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) containing silicon and oxygen. The coatings optionally have an intermediate layer, such as a nitrocarburized layer. A method of producing a non-stick coating on a surface of a metallic material. The method includes producing one of nitriding layer, nitrocarburization layer, and carburization layer on the surface of a metallic material by one of ion plasma nitriding, gas nitriding, and salt bath nitriding; and producing one or more layers of DLC, each layer containing silicon and oxygen on top of and in contact with the nitrocarburized layer by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) vacuum process. An article containing on its surface one or more layers of DLC containing silicon and oxygen, and optionally an intermediate layer.

Abstract: A method of removing an electrically conductive coating from a metallic component includes providing an electrolytic cell with the metallic component containing the conductive coating. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode is activated to produce a plasma causing the conductive coating to disintegrate. A method of conductive coating removal from a metallic component includes providing an aqueous solution of ammonium citrate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, and/or potassium phosphate as an electrolyte, a cathode and the metallic component with the conductive coating as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode produces a plasma causing the conductive coatings on the metallic component to disintegrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing paint from a metallic component. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell in which the metallic component is an anode, and a DC power supply capable of producing a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. A method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an electrolytic cell with the metallic component to be depainted acting as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode is activated to produce a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. Another method of method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium citrate, and potassium oxalate as an electrolyte, a cathode and a pained metallic component as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode produces a plasma causing the paint from the painted metallic component to disintegrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing paint from a metallic component. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell in which the metallic component is an anode, and a DC power supply capable of producing a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. A method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an electrolytic cell with the metallic component to be depainted acting as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode is activated to produce a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. Another method of method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium citrate, and potassium oxalate as an electrolyte, a cathode and a pained metallic component as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode produces a plasma causing the paint from the painted metallic component to disintegrate.

Abstract: A method of producing a locator pin with wear-resistant, corrosion resistant, and electrically insulating coating on selected areas of the surface off a metallic core include depositing a coating on the selected areas. The locator pin may have a single layer of a ceramic coating deposited using plasma electrolytic oxidation or may have a composite coating that includes a layer of vanadium carbide on selected areas of a surface of a locator pin and a layer diamond-like carbon on top of and in contact with the vanadium carbide layer. The vanadium carbide coating may be deposited using a thermal diffusion process and the diamond-like carbon coating may be deposited using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. The coating prevents weld splatter from adhering to the coated areas, and prevents the locator pin from acting as a shorting path during welding of parts located by the locator pin.