Abstract: In order to achieve micro alloying of protective coatings for components such as turbine blades in a turbine engine, a base metal is splutter coated by deposition of a trace element to a desired proportion. A protective layer of the base metal is then applied over the trace element to prevent further reaction or oxidation of the trace elements. A coating consumable is therefore formed from the base metal and the trace element. The consumable may be produced immediately prior to coating of the component or may be inertly stored for subsequent use. The consumable is applied by laser deposition techniques whereby a coating is formed in the melting process.

Abstract: A method for depositing a nanostructured coating comprising chromium or a copper-chromium mixture on a workpiece. The workpiece may comprise a hollowed structure such as a rocket or jet engine combustion chamber liner. The method comprises providing a magnetron and an external sputter target material comprising chromium or a copper-chromium composite and effecting a magnetron sputter deposition to deposit a substantially uniform nanostructured coating comprising said sputter target material on said workpiece. The method may include plasma enhancement wherein a filament is utilized to produce a plasma that effects an ion bombardment on the workpiece during the magnetron sputter deposition process. The invention also includes the nanostructured coatings deposited by these methods and workpieces coated thereby.

Abstract: The invention in general relates to glass or glass-ceramic products. In order to protect the surface of such products against scratching, a silicon oxynitride coating with special composition is provided.

Abstract: A hard coating film to be applied to the surface of a tool, which has a composition of (Cr1-a-bAlaSib) (BxCyN1-x-y) with atomic ratios specified below. 0<a?0.4 0.05?b?0.35 0.25?1?a?b?0.9 0?x?0.15 0?y?0.5 or a composition of (M1-a-bAlaSib) (BxCyN1-x-y) with atomic ratios specified below. 0.05?a?0.5 0.1<b?0.35 0?x?0.15 0?y?0.5 where M denotes Ti and Cr. The hard coating film for cutting tools has better wear resistance than conventional ones.

Abstract: The invention relates in general level to radiation transference techniques as applied for utilisation of material handling. The invention relates to a radiation source arrangement comprising a path of radiation transference, or an improved path of radiation transference, which path comprises a turbine scanner or an improved turbine scanner. The invention also concerns a target material suitable for vaporization and/or ablation. The invention concerns an improved turbine scanner. The invention concerns also to a vacuum vaporization/ablation arrangement that has a radiation source arrangement according to invention. The invention concerns also a target material unit, to be used in coating and/or manufacturing target material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing coatings of metal oxide, nitride or carbide or mixtures thereof, whereby operating a High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, HIPIMS, discharged on one or more target (s) (3), in an argon and reactive gas mixture (5, 6), at peak pulse power higher than 200 Wcm?2, in which the deposition rate is improved and in the need for partial reactive gas pressure feedback systems is eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool comprising a substrate and, a wear resistant coating, said wear resistant coating is composed of one or more layers of refractory compounds of which at least one layer consists of a multilayered MX/LX/MX/LX laminar structure where the alternating layers MX and LX are carbides or nitrides with the elements M and L selected from the group consisting of Ti, Nb, Hf, V, Ta, Mo, Zr, Cr, Al, Si or W and mixtures thereof, wherein the sequence of individual layer thicknesses has no repeat period but essentially aperiodic throughout the entire multilayered structure, and where the individual MX and LX layer thickness is larger than 0.1 ran but the sum of any 10 consecutive layers in the structure is smaller than 300 nm, and the total thickness of said multilayered structure is larger than 0.5 ?m but smaller than 20 ?m, deposited by PVD-technique, where at least one of MX or LX are electrically isolating, and a method of making such a cutting tool.

Abstract: A component of a disc drive has a coating of a predetermined length on its surface, the coating having at least two separate tapered regions applied in independent steps, the at least two separate tapered regions each having a length that is less than the predetermined length of the component surface. When the component is a shaft of a spindle motor, the ends of the shaft are masked before the tapered regions of coating are applied, and the thickness of the masks covering the shaft ends is varied to control a taper of tapered regions.

Abstract: A multilayer hard coating for tools for machining applications with a multilayer structure for improving the wear resistance of workpieces includes at least one (AlyCr1-y)X layer (0.2?y?0.7), wherein X is one of the following elements N, C, B, CN, BN, CBN, NO, CO, BO, CNO, BNO, CBNO, but preferably N or CN, and/or a (TizSi1-z) layer (0.99?z?0.7). The hard coating also includes at least one layer stack with one (AlCrTiSi) X mixed layer, followed by another (TizSi1-z)X layer, followed by another (AlCrTiSi) X mixed layer, followed by another (AlyCr1-y)X layer.

Abstract: A structure has at least one structure component formed of a first material residing on a substrate, such that the structure is out of a plane of the substrate. A first coating of a second material then coats the structure. A second coating of a non-oxidizing material coats the structure at a thickness less than a thickness of the second material.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer film-coated member having sufficient heat resistance and abrasion resistance and capable of exhibiting an effect of preventing adhesion even in cutting work of steel materials that may readily cause adhesion to cutting tools, and therefore capable of prolonging tools, and provides a method for producing it. The multilayer film-coated member is fabricated by coating the surface of a substrate with at least two hard coating films having different compositions, in which the first composition hard coating film of the outermost layer of the hard coating films represented by SiaBbNcCdOe with a+b+c+d+e=1, 0.1?a?0.5, 0.01?b?0.2, 0.05?c?0.6, 0.1?d?0.7 and 0<e?0.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of producing a fuel system component. The method includes providing a substrate and a coating, wherein the substrate comprises steel and the coating comprises a metal nitride. The method also includes applying the coating to at least part of the substrate using a magnetron sputtering deposition process substantially conducted at a temperature less than about 200° C.

Abstract: A domestic appliance, particularly a cooking appliance, having a metallic surface, is provided with a coating based on silicon oxide. Such coating is deposited on the metallic surface by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The coating protects the metallic surface from scratching, staining and thermal yellowing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hob cutter tool with a coating, wherein the coating is produced by a physical vapor deposition method, in which in a coating chamber in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, an arc discharge is generated in each case between at least one anode and at least one pure Al cathode on the one hand, and at least one pure Cr cathode on the other hand, and in this way, Al and Cr are vaporized from the cathode, in which the hob cutter tool to be coated is rotated in the coating chamber, wherein the tool is subsequently guided past the at least two cathodes, and in which the vaporized Al and Cr is deposited in atomic or ionized form together with nitrogen from the atmosphere containing nitrogen onto the hob cutter tool led rotating past the cathodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer film-coated member which has both sufficient heat resistance and sufficient abrasion resistance and has excellent coating film adhesion strength so that it can sufficiently exhibit the capability of the coating film even in cutting environments that may be more and more severe, and provides a method for producing it. The multilayer film-coated member is fabricated by coating the surface of a substrate with at least two hard coating films having different compositions, wherein the first composition hard film of the outermost layer of the hard coating films represented by SiaBbNcCdOe with a+b+c+d+e=1, 0.1?a?0.5, 0.01?b?0.2, 0.05?c?0.6, 0.1?d?0.7 and 0<e?0.

Abstract: A hard film contains [(Nb1?d,Tad)aAl1?a](C1?xNx), [(Nb1?d,Tad)a,Al1?a?b?c,Sib,Bc](C1?xNx), [(Cr,V)p(Nb,Ta)q(Al,Si,B)r](C1?xNx), or [(Ti,Cr,V)p(Nb,Ta)q(Al,Si,B)r](C1?xNx), in which the atomic ratios satisfy the following conditions: 0.4?a?0.6, 0<b+c?0.15, 0?d?1, 0.4?x?1, provided that one of “b” and “c” may be zero but both of them are not simultaneously zero, p+q+r=1; pTi+pCr+pV=p; qNb+qTa=q; rAl+rsi+rB=r, 0.05?q, 0.5?r?0.73, 0?rsi+rB?0.15, and 0.4?x?1.0, provided that when pTi is greater than zero, the total of pCr, pV, rSi, and rB is greater than zero.

Abstract: A multilayer hard coating for tools for machining applications with a multilayer structure for improving the wear resistance of workpieces includes at least one (AlyCr1-y)X layer (0.2?y?0.7), wherein X is one of the following elements N, C, B, CN, BN, CBN, NO, CO, BO, CNO, BNO, CBNO, but preferably N or CN, and/or a (TizSi1-z) layer (0.99?z?0.7). The hard coating also includes at least one layer stack with one (AlCrTiSi) X mixed layer, followed by another (TizSi1-z)X layer, followed by another (AlCrTiSi) X mixed layer, followed by another (AlyCr1-y)X layer.

Abstract: A device configured for converting energy includes a first surface, a second surface configured for moving with respect to the first surface during operation of the device, and a coating disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The coating includes a first layer of a ceramic alloy represented by the general formula AlMgB14—X, wherein X is present in an amount of from 0 to 70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ceramic alloy and is a doping agent selected from the group of Group IV elements and borides and nitrides thereof, and a second layer disposed on the first layer and including carbon in a gradient concentration. The coating has a hardness of from 10 to 20 GPa and a coefficient of friction of less than or equal to 0.12.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a chamber for containing a feed gas. An anode is positioned inside the chamber. A cathode assembly comprising target material is positioned adjacent to an anode inside the chamber. A magnet is positioned adjacent to cathode assembly. A platen that supports a substrate is positioned adjacent to the cathode assembly. An output of the power supply is electrically connected to the cathode assembly. The power supply generates a plurality of voltage pulse trains comprising at least a first and a second voltage pulse train. The first voltage pulse train generates a first discharge from the feed gas that causes sputtering of a first layer of target material having properties that are determined by at least one of a peak amplitude, a rise time, and a duration of pulses in the first voltage pulse train.

Abstract: According to this process for manufacturing a ceramic element intended to be fitted onto a watch case, the visible surface of which has features, a soluble layer is selectively deposited on said visible surface, the thickness of said soluble layer being at least equal to the height of said features, a first tie layer of the Ti, Ta, Cr or Th type is vacuum-deposited by magnetron sputtering with a thickness of at least 100 nm by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on said surface thus selectively coated, followed, without venting atmosphere, by PVD deposition of said second layer made of Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Pd, TiN, CrN, ZrN or alloys thereof with a thickness of at least 100 nm, and then said soluble layer is dissolved.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for handling and transporting pairs of disks. A transfer tool engages a pair of disks in gap merge orientation along the outer perimeter edge of the disks and maintains the orientation while transferring the pair of disks to a second location where the disks are transferred to other equipment or subjected to processing. Various disks carriers are also provided for handling and transporting multiple pairs of disks in gap merge orientation.

Abstract: A cutting tool insert, particularly useful for machining of steel and stainless steel, comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride based material or high speed steel a hard and wear resistant coating; and at least (Al,Cr)2O3 layer applied to said body is disclosed. Methods of making a cutting tool insert are also disclosed. In addition, methods for machining of cast iron using the cutting tool inserts are disclosed.

Abstract: A coated article is provided that may be used as a vehicle windshield, insulating glass (IG) window unit, or the like. Ion beam treatment is performed on a layer(s) of the coating. For example, an overcoat layer (e.g., of silicon nitride) of a low-E coating may be ion beam treated in a manner so as to cause the ion beam treated layer to include (a) nitrogen-doped Si3N4, and/or (b) nitrogen graded silicon nitride. It has been found that this permits durability of the coated article to be improved.

Abstract: A coating system is applied to a ceramic evaporator boat to extend the life of the boat. The coating system includes a ceramic layer is applied over the surface of an evaporator boat reservoir. Optionally, a refractory metal layer is applied as an intermediate layer between the surface of the evaporator boat reservoir and the ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is form of a ceramic material selected from metal borides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal oxides, and combinations thereof, and wherein the metal component of the ceramic material is selected from zirconium, aluminum, titanium, silicon, tantalum, vanadium, and combinations thereof. The resulting coating system reduces corrosion and/or erosion that occur primarily in the reservoir region of the evaporator boat. One method of applying or depositing the ceramic layer or the optional refractory metal layer includes sputtering.

Abstract: A mold having a multilayer diamond-like carbon film is provided. The mold includes: a molding surface; an adhesive layer formed on the molding surface; a densified layer formed on the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being configured for enhancing bonding strength between the densified layer and the molding surface, and the densified layer being configured for enhancing a density of the multilayer diamond-like carbon film; an amorphous nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon layer on the densified layer; an amorphous nitrogen-hydrogen-doped diamond-like carbon layer formed on the amorphous nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon layer; and an amorphous hydrogen-doped diamond-like carbon layer formed on the nitrogen-hydrogen-doped diamond-like carbon layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component scavenged by exhaust gases, notably a component of an internal-combustion engine (12) and/or of at least an exhaust gas circulation circuit (14, 16, 18, 20) belonging to an engine set (10). According to the invention, the surfaces in contact with the exhaust gases of at least one component are provided with a protective coating comprising at least partly amorphous carbon of local structure close to diamond.

Abstract: A method of depositing a crystalline ?-Al2O3 layer onto a cutting tool insert by Chemical Vapor Deposition at a temperature of from about 625 to about 800° C. includes the following steps: depositing a from about 0.1 to about 1.5 ?m layer of TiCxNyOz where x+y+z>=1 and z>0, preferably z>0.2; treating said layer at 625-1000° C. in a gas mixture containing from about 0.5 to about 3 vol-% O2, preferably as CO2+H2, or O2+H2, for a short period of time from about 0.5 to about 4 min, optionally in the presence of from about 0.5 to about 6 vol-% HCl; and depositing said Al2O3-layer by bringing said treated layer into contact with a gas mixture containing from about 2 to about 10 vol-% of AlC3, from about 16 to about 40 vol-% of CO2, in H2 and 0.8-2 vol-% of a sulphur-containing agent, preferably H2S, at a process pressure of from about 40 to about 300 mbar. Also included is a cutting tool insert with a coating including at least one ?-Al2O3-layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a thin, high hardness coating and devices comprising it. The method of the invention consists in depositing, by magnetron cathode sputtering, a titanium film on at least one surface of a substrate under a partial pressure of argon of 1 Pa, then in depositing, by magnetron cathode sputtering, a titanium nitride film, onto the film obtained by introducing nitrogen into the cathodic sputtering chamber while maintaining a partial pressure of 1 Pa, and in depositing a film of a composite nanostructured material based on titanium, zirconium, boron and nitrogen onto the film obtained by magnetron cathode sputtering in active co-sputtering mode. The method of the invention can be applied in many fields, and in particular in the mechanical field in order to improve the surface hardness of mechanical components.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a grinding tool includes: a substrate being provided. A mechanical process is used to form an uneven portion with a regular shape on a surface of the substrate. A coating method is used to uniformly attach a wear resistance layer on a surface of the uneven portion. A forming method is used to uniformly attach a protective layer on a surface of the wear resistance layer. A grinding tool includes a substrate, a wear resistance layer and a protective layer. A surface of the substrate has an uneven portion. The wear resistance layer is uniformly attached on a surface of the uneven portion and corresponds to the shape of the uneven portion. The protective layer is uniformly attached on a surface of the abrasive layer. Thereby, the grinding tool that is corrosion resistance, wear-resistance, heatproof, chemical-resistance and has a regular or irregular shape is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depositing a coating onto a substrate. The method comprises depositing by arc evaporation; depositing by dual magnetron sputtering; said depositing being performed in sequence or simultaneously.

Abstract: Coated cemented carbide inserts, particularly useful for milling of cast iron, methods for making the inserts, and methods of their use are disclosed. The inserts are characterized by a composition of the substrate of about 5-7 wt % Co, about 0.05-2.0 wt % total amount of the metals selected from the group consisting of Ti, Nb,Ta and combination thereof, and balance WC with a coercivity (Hc) of 1 about 4-19 kA/m and an S-value of about 0.81-0.96. The coating comprises a homogeneous layer of (TixAl1-x)N, where x is between about 0.25 and about 0.50 with a crystal structure of NaCl type and a total thickness of between about 1.0 and about 5.0 ?m as measured on the middle of the flank face.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-layer coating having excellent adhesion and sliding properties, which contains a hard layer having a main component of a nitride and/or carbonitride containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Cr, Nb, Si, Al and B and a lubricating layer consisting of a metal element and molybdenum disulfide on the hard layer wherein the lubricating layer has a graded composition in which the metal element has a decreasing content from the hard layer side towards the surface and the molybdenum disulfide has an increasing content, and wherein the lubricating layer has a maximum oxygen concentration of no greater than 25 atom %.

Abstract: Erosion- and impact-resistant ceramic coatings suitable for protecting surfaces subjected to collisions with particles, including nominally round particles that typically inflict impact damage and more aggressive irregular-shaped particles that typically inflict erosion damage. The ceramic coating is formed to have one of three compositions: at least one layer of titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) having a thickness of about 25 to about 100 micrometers; multiple layers of chromium nitride (CrN) and TiAlN, each layer having a thickness of about 0.2 to about 1.0 micrometers to yield a total coating thickness of at least about 3 micrometers; and at least one layer of titanium silicon carbonitride (TiSiCN) having a thickness of about 15 to about 100 micrometers. The ceramic coating preferably has a total coating thickness of up to about 100 micrometers, and is deposited by a physical vapor deposition process to have a columnar and/or dense microstructure.

Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing assembly having a decorative marking and/or opaque border printed from a thermally curable ink is presented. This method includes the steps of forming a substantially transparent plastic panel; printing an opaque pattern from an ink, the printed pattern being in contact with the plastic panel; pre-drying the ink of the printed pattern to a tack-free condition; applying a weather resistant layer on the printed pattern and on the plastic panel; curing the ink of the printed pattern and the weather resistant layer; and depositing an abrasion resistant layer on the weather resistant layer. In this process the drying of the ink substantially removes the solvent from the ink without substantially curing the ink.

Abstract: A procedure for the synthesis of titanium nitride (TiN) thin films on metal substrate by vapor deposition using a magnetized sheet plasma source is disclosed. TiN films on metal substrate exhibiting the stoichiometric TiN and Ti2N were synthesized in a mixed N2/Ar plasma with initial gas filing ratio of preferably 1:3 under the following conditions: total initial gas filing pressure of at least about 40 mTorr, plasma current in the range of about 2A to 3A and plasma discharge potential in the range of about 125V to about 150V.

Abstract: Formation of a zirconia based thermal barrier layer is described. In accordance with the present invention, a thermal barrier layer composed of zirconia or an allow of zirconia is presented. An advantageous layer might be composed of zirconia or an alloy of zirconia with silica having improved properties. In some embodiments, such a zirconia layer might be deposited with a fraction of it's zirconia in a metallic state. Such a fraction, particularly if it were very low, would act to nucleate crystalline grains of silicon during the recrystallization phase of excimer laser melting due to the formation of point defects of zirconium silicide or other nucleating compound or formation. Heat treating the Zirconia layer anneals the Zirconia layer so that it can act as a gate oxide.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium using a plastic substrate as a non-magnetic substrate includes an adhesive layer that prevents film expansion even under severe conditions. The adhesive layer has a chemical affinity to the plastic substrate and is formed on the surface of the plastic substrate, and an underlayer and subsequent layers are formed over the adhesive layer. A polymerized carbon film is used as the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A continuous, uninterrupted two-step treatment process capable of forming nanometer scale physical structures on the surface of articles fabricated from metallic, ceramic, glass, or plastic materials, and then depositing a thin conformal coating on the nanostructured surface such that the physical structures previously produced are neither masked nor are the dimensions of the physical structures substantially altered. In an additional embodiment, a thicker coating can be grown from the thin conformal coating which itself can be nanostructured as it is deposited. In this case adhesion of the thicker coating is not dependent upon the use of conventional surface pretreatments such as machining, chemical etching, or abrasive blasting. Surface texturing may be performed by ion beam sputtering, and ion assisted coating forms the thin conformal coating, and thicker coating if desired. The treatment process is useful for improving the mechanical, catalytic, chemical, or biological activity of the surfaces so treated.

Abstract: A slidably movable member such as an adjusting shim used in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The slidably movable member is used in contact with lubricating oil and comprises a substrate. A hard carbon-based film is coated on a surface of the substrate. The hard carbon-based film has a surface section which contains at least one of nitrogen and oxygen in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 30 at % and/or hydrogen in an amount of not more than 10 at %.

Abstract: In an optical disk substrate film-formation apparatus which prepared an optical disk by forming a thin film on a substrate, the optical disk substrate is held by a holder section. A contact support surface is provided to the holder section which closely contacts at least a portion of the surface of the optical disk substrate rear to the surface where the think film is formed.

Abstract: A hard coating film of the present invention is formed on a substrate, and is a multilayer including at least the following layers (1) to (3). (1) A first layer on the substrate side comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of elements in Groups 4A, 5A, and 6A of the periodic table; (2) a B- and C-containing surface layer; and (3) a graded composition layer which is formed in a sandwiched manner between the first layer and the surface layer, and in which the content of B and C changes continuously or stepwise from the first layer side toward the surface layer side. Another hard coating film of the present invention has a cubic boron nitride film as its outermost surface layer; the cubic boron nitride film is stacked in a state of having been nucleated from a B- and N-containing layer; and the B- and N-containing layer has a ratio of N to B of 0.

Abstract: Performance and reliability of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) components enhanced dramatically through the incorporation of protective thin film coatings. Current-generation MEMS devices prepared by the LIGA technique employ transition metals such as Ni, Cu, Fe, or alloys thereof, and hence lack stability in oxidizing, corrosive, and/or high temperature environments. Fabrication of a superhard, self-lubricating coating based on a ternary boride compound AlMgB14 is described in this letter as a potential breakthrough in protective coating technology for LIGA microdevices. Nanoindentation tests show that hardness of AlMgB14 films prepared by pulsed laser deposition ranges from 45 GPa to 51 GPa, when deposited at room temperature and 573 K, respectively. Extremely low friction coefficients of 0.04-0.05, which are thought to result from a self-lubricating effect, have also been confirmed by nanoscratch tests on the AlMgB14 films.

Abstract: The invention relates to metallurgy and mechanical engineering, in particular to the development of methods for providing metallic pieces with protective coatings with a view to improving the performance characteristics thereof. In accordance with the inventive method, a multilayer coating is formed by combining and simultaneously or consecutively using of various technologies including ion-plasma evaporation diffusive metallization and controlled atmosphere thermal treatment. The obtained coatings possess superior characteristics with respect to overall properties and are used for gas turbine construction, in particular, for manufacturing gas turbine vanes of aircraft engines.

Abstract: A work piece or structural component is coated with a system of film layers at least one of which is composed of (AlyCr1-y) X, where X=N, C, B, CN, BN, CBN, NO, CO, BO, CNO, BNO or CBNO and 0.2?y<0.7, with the composition within said film being either essentially constant or varying over the thickness of the film continually or in steps, as well as a process for producing it.

Abstract: A surface-coated cutting tool member includes a tungsten carbide based cemented carbide substrate, a titanium carbonitride based cermet substrate, or a cubic boron nitride based sintered substrate; and a hard coating layer of a nitride compound containing aluminum and titanium, formed on a surface of the substrate using a physical vapor deposition method in an overall average thickness of 1 to 15 ?m. The hard coating layer has a component concentration profile in which maximum aluminum containing points and minimum aluminum containing points appear alternatingly and repeatedly at a distance from 0.01 to 0.1 ?m in a direction of thickness of the hard coating layer. The amount of contained aluminum (or titanium) is changed from the maximum aluminum containing points to the minimum aluminum containing points. The maximum aluminum containing points satisfy a formula: (AlXTi1?X)N, wherein X is between 0.70 to 0.95. The minimum aluminum containing points satisfy a formula: (AlYTi1?Y)N, wherein Y is between 0.

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.

Abstract: A coated article is provided which includes a layer including titanium oxycarbide. In order to form the coated article, a layer of titanium oxide is deposited on a substrate by sputtering or the like. After sputtering of the layer including titanium oxide, an ion beam source(s) is used to implant at least carbon ions into the titanium oxide. When implanting, the carbon ions have sufficient ion energy so as to knock off oxygen (O) from TiOx molecules so as to enable a substantially continuous layer comprising titanium oxycarbide to form near a surface of the previously sputtered layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical information medium having excellent weather resistance and repeating characteristics. The optical information medium has a barrier layer between a protective layer and a recording layer. The barrier layer includes GeN or GeON, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, B, Ba, Bi, C, Ca, Ce, Cr, Dy, Eu, Ga, H, In, K, La, Mn, N, Nb, Ni, Pb, Pd, S, Si, Sb, Sn, Ta, Te, Ti, V, W, Yb, Zn and Zr.

Abstract: A thin layer of hafnium oxide or stacking of thin layers comprising hafnium oxide layers for producing surface treatments of optical components, or optical components, in which at least one layer of hafnium oxide is in amorphous form and has a density less than 8 gm/cm3. The layer is formed by depositing on a substrate without energy input to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a cutting tool, the cutting tool having a WC—Co based cemented carbide body and a multi-layer coating, the method including: applying a first innermost bonding layer TiN to the body; applying a second layer in the form of a mutlilayered structure having sublayers of (TixAl1-x)N were x varies according to 0.45<x<0.55 and 0.70<x<0.80; applying a third layer of (TixAl1-x)N where x is 0.45<x<0.55; and applying a forth outermost layer on TiN.