Abstract: There is disclosed a method of depositing a nanocomposite coating of stainless steel and a metallic carbide or metallic nitride, e.g. chromium carbide or chromium nitride, onto a stainless steel substrate 10, including the steps of (a) providing the stainless steel substrate 10; (b) depositing stainless steel on the substrate 10; (c) depositing chromium carbide or chromium nitride on the substrate 10; and allowing a nanocomposite coating 14 of the stainless steel and chromium carbide or chromium nitride to form on the substrate 10.

Abstract: A method for sputtering a thin film protective layer with improved durability is disclosed. The method reduces kinetic energy of the ions of the overcoat material during the initial period of deposition to form a buffering interface which reduces the interpenetration of the atoms of the protective layer into the underlying film. In the method of the invention the sputtering of the overcoat preferably begins with zero (or very low) voltage applied to the underlying film resulting in minimal ion implantation in the underlying film. The “high energy” phase of the process begins with increases in the magnitude of the negative bias voltage applied to the underlying film. The higher energy imparted to ions in the plasma result in a denser and harder film being formed over the initial buffer layer. The protective layer preferably comprises carbon and nitrogen.

Abstract: A coated article includes formed of an alloy having a composition including nickel and aluminum, and a protective coating overlying and contacting the substrate. The protective coating is a mixture of a quasicrystalline metallic phase, and a non-quasicrystalline metallic phase comprising nickel and aluminum. The aluminum is present in an amount of from about 3 to about 35 percent by weight of the non-quasicrystalline metallic phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a surface coating having a micro-Vickers hardness of about 1600 kgf/mm2 or more on a substrate made of metal, alloy or ceramic. The method comprises subjecting the substrate to a reactive plasma process which uses a target material consisting of tungsten or its alloy, a sputtering gas consisting of argon, and at least one reactive gas selected firm the group consisting of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, to form a tungsten oxycarbide coating on the surface of the substrate, wherein the reactive plasma process is performed additionally using at least one noble gas selected from the group consisting of helium, neon, krypton and radon, as an auxiliary gas, while maintaining the substrate at a temperature in the range of about 550 to 680 K.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool insert comprising a substrate and a coating including at least one layer of TiB2. The TiB2-layer has a fibrous microstructure where the grains are 5-50 nm, preferably 10-30 nm, in diameter and a length more than 250 mu, preferably more than 400 nm long, with a length to diameter ratio, l/d>2, preferably >5, and oriented essentially perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A process is provided for synthesizing metal salts of perfluorinated polyethers containing at least one carboxylic acid group. The polymeric salts so provided are effective as anti-wetting and corrosion-protective agents. The metal salts of perfluorinated polyether acids may be used to prepare corrosion-protected substrates, including magnetic recording disks and magnetic recording heads.

Abstract: Electrical connectors incorporate a composite coating of molybdenum disulfide and a metal, preferably tin, for one or both of the contact surfaces of the electrical connector. The coating provides for a low coefficient of friction, low contact resistance, and good electrical conductivity, as well as good mechanical properties. The coating also reduces the insertion force of the electrical connectors, thereby increasing the number of possible terminal pairs and/or reducing terminal bending and breakage for a manually mated connector. The coating can be deposited on copper, tin-plated copper, tin alloy-plated copper or other metallic substrates, using any of several physical vapor deposition methods.

Abstract: A method for making a dry plating built-up film comprises providing silicon carbide as a starting source and subjecting to dry plating while changing a concentration of a reactive gas continuously or intermittently to deposit and form, on a substrate, a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness. A method for making a sputter built-up film is also described, which comprising providing silicon carbide as a target and subjecting to sputtering while changing making electric power against the target continuously or intermittently to deposit and form a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness.

Abstract: When forming an optical thin film on a surface of a bulb of a light source such as an electric lamp or a discharge lamp, a thin film whose interface/surface is less rough is formed on a base having a spheroid shape. When forming a thin film on a base 2 with a spheroid shape, which is disposed in a vacuum chamber 4 of a film-forming device and spun on its rotation axis, an interface or a surface of the thin film is made less rough and the thickness distribution of the thin film is made smaller by setting a sputtering gas pressure to be in a range from 0.04 Pa to 5.

Abstract: A cavity forming formed in an encapsulation structure under a vacuum in a vacuum chamber is sealed with a capping layer. A stiff protective layer under tensile stress is deposited on the capping layer prior to venting the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure. The capping layer is preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the protective layer is preferably ?-TiN having a suitable high Young's modulus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an information carrier which has at least two solid material interfaces at which information is, or may be applied and where the information is stored by local modulation of at least one characteristic of the solid material. Reflection of electromagnetic radiation at the interface depends on this characteristic. The method and apparatus applies at least one intermediate layer between the two solid material interfaces. The intermediate layer transmits the radiation and is at least predominantly made of either SixCy or SivNw, or both.

Abstract: Improved multilayer magnetic superlattice structures, such as (Co/Pt)n and (C0/Pd)n, having perpendicular magnetic coercivities as high as about 10,000 Oe, are formed by sputtering in Kr and/or Xe atmospheres at relatively high power densities and relatively small target-to-substrate spacings. The magnetic superlattice structures are advantageously utilized in the formation of the thermally stable, perpendicular magnetic recording media having ultra-high areal recording densities of from about 100 Gbit/in2 to about 600 Gbit/in2.

Abstract: A masking material and a method for applying the masking material to preselected surfaces of a component to protect the surfaces to which the masking material is applied from exposure to a vapor phase of aluminum gas while a protective environmental coating is applied to other surfaces of the component. The component, such as found in the hot section of a gas turbine engine, typically has intricate internal passageways. A ceramic material is applied as a mask over preselected surfaces while leaving remaining surfaces of a component exposed. The component typically is a superalloy component, and the exposed surfaces are to be coated with an environmental protective coating. The surfaces are preselected on the basis of whether coating is desired on the surface. The ceramic material forms a continuous, crack-free mask on these preselected surfaces without obstructing the internal passageways. The ceramic material which forms a mask is stable at the elevated temperatures of environmental coating application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an optically effective system of layers on a substrate, such as a lens for use in an optical device. A plasma supported sputter deposition process is employed which, for the purpose of reducing damage to the rear side (1b) first applies a protective layer (2) to the rear side and then applies a system of layers (3) on the front side (1a) of the substrate (1). The apparatus includes an evacuable sputter chamber and a substrate holder (5) with receiving elements (6) for the substrates, and the receiving elements are mounted to permit rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A method for making a magnetic disk comprises forming first and second protective carbon layers on a magnetic layer. The first protective carbon layer is predominantly SP3 carbon. The second protective carbon layer comprises about 50% or less SP3 carbon. The second protective carbon layer is very thin, e.g. between 0.1 and 1.0 nm thick. A lubricant layer (e.g. a perfluoropolyether lubricant) is applied to the second protective carbon layer. The second protective carbon layer facilitates improved cooperation between lubricant and the disk.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer and a protective carbon-containing overcoat comprising a first carbon density, preferably of a low-density carbon, and a second carbon density different from the first carbon density, preferably of a high-density carbon, and a method of making and using the magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: For machine parts, cutting tools and molds used under extremely high contact pressures, an amorphous carbon film is provided which has a sufficient adhesion to a substrate. The amorphous carbon covered member has an interlayer comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements in the IVa, Va, VIa and IIIb groups and the IVb group except carbon in the periodic table, or a carbide of at least one element selected from the group, and an amorphous carbon film formed on the interlayer. The interlayer has a thickness of 0.5 nm or over and less than 10 nm.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved process for the deposition of amorphous hydrogenated carbon film, more specifically an improved low temperature, low power and low vacuum cathodic sputtering process. The invention also concerns the film produced by said process and articles containing an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a carbon thin film are disclosed in the present invention. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having a substrate mounted therein, a sputter target inside the vacuum chamber facing into the substrate, a cesium supplying unit inside the vacuum chamber in a shape of a shield to a circumference of the target and supplying cesium vapor onto a surface of the sputter target through a plurality of openings, and a heating wire surrounding the cesium supplying unit and maintaining the cesium supplying unit at a constant pressure.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media exhibiting improved Hr, SNR and S*, suitable for high areal recording density, are obtained by forming a substantially uniform patterned Al or Al alloy layer on a non-magnetic substrate which is substantially replicated in subsequently applied layers to form a data zone. Embodiments include sputtering depositing an Al or Al alloy layer on the substrate and anodizing the sputtered layer to form a plurality of substantially uniform hexagonal cells comprising aluminum oxide. The hexagonal pattern is replicated in a subsequently deposited and epitaxially grown magnetic layer such that the magnetic grains are separated, thereby reducing magnetostatic interactions therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coating an object at a high temperature by means of cathode sputtering, having a vacuum chamber and a sputter source, the sputter source having a sputtering cathode. Inside the vacuum chamber is arranged an inner chamber formed from a heat-resistant material, which completely surrounds the sputtering cathode and the object to be coated, at a small spacing, and which has at least one opening to let a gas in and at least one opening to let a gas out.

Abstract: A plasma 10 is generated within a film formation chamber 2, and mainly a nitrogen gas 11 is excited within the film formation chamber 2. Then, the excited nitrogen gas 11 is mixed with a diborane gas 13 diluted with a hydrogen gas to react them, thereby forming a boron nitride film 15 on a substrate 4. At the initial stage of film formation, the nitrogen gas 11 is supplied in excess to suppress the occurrence of an amorphous phase on the interface. As a result, the boron nitride film 15 improved in moisture absorption resistance on the interface with the substrate and maintaining low dielectric constant properties is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an optically effective system of layers on a substrate, such as a lens for use in an optical device. A plasma supported sputter deposition process is employed which, for the purpose of reducing damage to the rear side (1b) first applies a protective layer (2) to the rear side and then applies a system of layers (3) on the front side (1a) of the substrate (1). The apparatus includes an evacuable sputter chamber and a substrate holder (5) with receiving elements (6) for the substrates, and the receiving elements are mounted to permit rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A film is formed on the surface of a soft metal portion (2) such that the film contains phosphorus and either platinum or palladium, and further, at least one element having homogeneous solubility with platinum or palladium, with the content of the phosphorus being in a range of about 15 to 25 atomic %, or contains boron and iron with the content of the boron being in a range of from about 15 to 25 atomic %. Thus, a soft metal is made up by turning the film into a hard layer (3) made of an amorphous alloy.

Abstract: A method for making a dry plating built-up film comprises providing silicon carbide as a starting source and subjecting to dry plating while changing a concentration of a reactive gas continuously or intermittently to deposit and form, on a substrate, a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness. A method for making a sputter built-up film is also described, which comprising providing silicon carbide as a target and subjecting to sputtering while changing making electric power against the target continuously or intermittently to deposit and form a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method from cathode spray deposition of a coating with photocatalytic properties comprising titanium oxide at least partly crystallised in anastatic form on a transparent or semi-transparent support substrate, such as glass, vitroceramic, plastic. The substrate is sprayed under a pressure of at least 2 Pa. The invention also concerns the resulting coated substrate, wherein said substrate constitutes the top layer of a series of thin antiglare layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of depositing a film on a surface of a coil that includes depositing a metal from a target onto a surface of a coil to form a first film on the surface and forming a second film over the first film at a low pressure and at a first power at the target that is substantially higher than a first power at the component's surface. The conditioned deposition tool is well suited for manufacturing integrated circuits.

Abstract: A nanolayered coated cutting tool that includes a substrate that has a surface with a coating on the surface thereof. The coating comprises a plurality of coating sets of alternating nanolayers of titanium nitride and titanium aluminum nitride wherein each coating set has a thickness up to about 100 nanometers. The coating includes a bonding region and an outer region. The bonding region comprises a plurality of the coating sets wherein the thickness of each coating set increases as the set moves away from the surface of the substrate. The outer region comprises a plurality of the coating sets wherein the thickness of each coating set is about equal.

Abstract: A method for protecting an article from a high temperature, oxidative environment is presented, along with alloy compositions and ion plasma deposition targets suitable for use in the method. The method comprises providing a substrate, providing an ion plasma deposition target, and depositing a protective coating onto the substrate using the target in an ion plasma deposition process. The target comprises from about 2 atom percent to about 25 atom percent chromium, and the balance comprises aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a carbon thin film are disclosed in the present invention. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having a substrate mounted therein, a sputter target inside the vacuum chamber facing into the substrate, a cesium supplying unit inside the vacuum chamber in a shape of a shield to a circumference of the target and supplying cesium vapor onto a surface of the sputter target through a plurality of openings, and a heating wire surrounding the cesium supplying unit and maintaining the cesium supplying unit at a constant pressure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a transducer with landing pads without edge fences is described. The pad shape and location are defined by voids in a photoresist formed using prior art methods. Preferably an adhesion layer and then the pad layer are deposited in the voids. A masking layer is preferably vertically deposited on the pad layer to be thinner on the pad material on the sidewall to provide anisotropic protection during the subsequent ashing step. A vertical deposition process minimizes the buildup of the masking layer material on the sidewall of the void in the resist which already contains the fence structures on the sidewall from the previous deposition. The thickness of the masking layer on the surface of the pad layer should be sufficient to protect pad layer during the subsequent ashing step, but the thickness of the masking material at the sidewalls on the pad layer fences should be thin enough so that the fences are not protected during ashing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition process are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: A method for making a dry plating built-up film comprises providing silicon carbide as a starting source and subjecting to dry plating while changing a concentration of a reactive gas continuously or intermittently to deposit and form, on a substrate, a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness. A method for making a sputter built-up film is also described, which comprising providing silicon carbide as a target and subjecting to sputtering while changing making electric power against the target continuously or intermittently to deposit and form a thin film having different refractive indices along its thickness.

Abstract: A nanolayered coated cutting tool that includes a substrate that has a surface with a coating on the surface thereof. The coating comprises a plurality of coating sets of alternating nanolayers of titanium nitride and titanium aluminum nitride wherein each coating set has a thickness up to about 100 nanometers. The coating includes a bonding region and an outer region. The bonding region comprises a plurality of the coating sets wherein the thickness of each coating set increases as the set moves away from the surface of the substrate. The outer region comprises a plurality of the coating sets wherein the thickness of each coating set is about equal.

Abstract: A magnetically patterned hard disk is made by sputtering the magnetic layers, sputtering the carbon layer, applying a nonfunctional lubricant, buff/wiping the disk to remove sputtering debris and asperities, removing the nonfunctional lubricant using a standard degreasing process, applying and patterning a resist, and thereafter subjecting the exposed disk to inert ion irradiation.

Abstract: A transparent, scratch-resistant, amorphous, easily washed coating on a transparent substrate, together with a method for its preparation. A substrate such as glass is introduced into a sputtering chamber, a silicon-containing target is sputtered in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen and a hydrocarbon gas to produce on the substrate a film containing a carbide of silicon and a nitride of silicon. The film preferably has a thickness in the range of about 30 Å to about 500 Å, and its surface preferably exhibits a contact angle with water below about 25°. The protective coating may be applied directly to a transparent substrate such as glass, or may be applied as a protective coating over an optical film stack carried by the substrate. If desired, a glass substrate may be coated on one side with the optical film stack and coated on the opposite side with the protective coating.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant coated fuel cell plate and method of making the same are embodied in a metal plate provided with a multilayered conductive coating and then with an overcoating which fills in fine scale porosities in the coating. In one preferred embodiment, the overcoating is amorphous graphite applied through a deposition process. In another preferred embodiment, the overcoating is a thin layer of oxide created by a chemical anodization process.

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: When forming an optical thin film on a surface of a bulb of a light source such as an electric lamp or a discharge lamp, a thin film whose interface/surface is less rough is formed on a base having a spheroid shape. When forming a thin film on a base 2 with a spheroid shape, which is disposed in a vacuum chamber 4 of a film-forming device and spun on its rotation axis, an interface or a surface of the thin film is made less rough and the thickness distribution of the thin film is made smaller by setting a sputtering gas pressure to be in a range from 0.04 Pa to 5.

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 multilayered structure having sublayers of (TixAl1-x)N where 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.

Abstract: A protective coating system and method for protecting a thermal barrier coating from CMAS infiltration. The coating system comprises inner and outer alumina layers and a platinum-group metal layer therebetween. The outer alumina layer is intended as a sacrificial layer that reacts with molten CMAS, forming a compound with a melting temperature significantly higher than CMAS. As a result, the reaction product of the outer alumina layer and CMAS resolidifies before it can infiltrate the TBC. The platinum-group metal layer is believed to serve as a barrier to infiltration of CMAS into the TBC, while the inner alumina layer appears to enhance the ability of the platinum-group metal layer to prevent CMAS infiltration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition process are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are directly grown on a substrate surface having three metal layers thereon by a thermal chemical vapor deposition at low-temperature, which can be used as an electron emission source for field emission displays. The three layers include a layer of an active metal catalyst sandwiched between a thick metal support layer formed on the substrate and a bonding metal layer. The active metal catalyst is iron, cobalt, nickel or an alloy thereof; the metal support and the bonding metal independently are Au, Ag, Cu, Pd, Pt or an alloy thereof; and they can be formed by sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, screen printing or electroplating.

Abstract: An article includes a silicon-containing substrate and a modified mullite coating. The modified mullite coating comprises mullite and a modifier component that reduces cracks in the modified mullite coating. The article can further comprise a thermal barrier coating applied to the modified mullite coating. The modified mullite coating functions as a bond coating between the external environmental/thermal barrier coating and the silicon-containing substrate. In a method of forming an article, a silicon-containing substrate is formed and a modified mullite coating is applied. The modified mullite coating comprises mullite and a modifier component that reduces cracks in the modified mullite coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a surface coating having a micro-Vickers hardness of about 1600 kgf/mm2 or more on a substrate made of metal, alloy or ceramic. The method comprises subjecting the substrate to a reactive plasma process which uses a target material consisting of tungsten or its alloy, a sputtering gas consisting of argon, and at least one reactive gas selected firm the group consisting of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, to form a tungsten oxycarbide coating on the surface of the substrate, wherein the reactive plasma process is performed additionally using at least one noble gas selected from the group consisting of helium, neon, krypton and radon, as an auxiliary gas, while maintaining the substrate at a temperature in the range of about 550 to 680 K.

Abstract: A method for producing thin film deposits of ternary shape-memory alloys using an ion sputtering deposition process comprising using a hot pressed metal powder composition target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing ternary shape-memory alloy films employing sputtering process techniques using krypton as a process gas.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed which bear a carbon coating layer, wherein carbon-carbon bonding within the coating layer is mostly of the sp2 form: wherein the coating has a specific wear rate under wet conditions of less than 10−6 m3/Nm: wherein the coating has an adhesion critical load of at least 70N: wherein the coating has a hardness of at least 1000 VHN: wherein the coating has a coefficient of friction (dry) of not more than 01. The coating may be a multi-layer coating containing successive metal-containing and carbon layers. The article may be constituted as a medical prosthesis. Methods are disclosed of forming hard wear resistant carbon coatings by sputter ion plating with at least one carbon target in which an ion current density of for example above 0.

Abstract: A magnetically patterned hard disk is made by sputtering the magnetic layers, sputtering the carbon layer, applying a nonfunctional lubricant, buff/wiping the disk to remove sputtering debris and asperities, removing the nonfunctional lubricant using a standard degreasing process, applying and patterning a resist, and thereafter subjecting the exposed disk to inert ion irradiation.

Abstract: A overcoat layer of TiSixNy for use on a magnetic thin film disk is disclosed. The overcoat of the invention has high hardness, provides corrosion protection and has low surface energy which reduces contaminant attraction. The TiSixNy film is conductive and, therefore, reduces the deleterious effects of tribocharging.