Abstract: A method of removing a ceramic coating (18), and particularly zirconia-containing thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), that has been either intentionally or unintentionally deposited on the surface of a component (10). The method entails subjecting the ceramic coating (18) to an aqueous solution containing an acid fluoride salt, such as ammonium bifluoride (NH4HF2) or sodium bifluoride (NaHF2), and a corrosion inhibitor. The method is capable of completely removing the ceramic coating (18) without removing or damaging the underlying substrate material, which may include a metallic bond coat (16).

Abstract: A method for providing a waterborne, inorganic barrier coating to a polyolefin substrate is described. The method involves applying a primer composition containing a vinyl polymer, wherein at least 75% of the polymer repeat units contain side groups having hydroxyl moieties, to the substrate. This primer coating facilitates the application and binding of the subsequently applied barrier coating composition to the substrate.

Abstract: A glass substrate is ion beam milled in order to smoothen the same and/or reduce or remove nano-cracks in the substrate surface before a coating system (e.g., diamond-like carbon (DLC) inclusive coating system) is deposited thereon. It has been found that such ion beam milling of the substrate prior to deposition of the coating system improves adherence of the coating system to the underlying milled substrate. Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that such ion beam milling of the substrate results in a more scratch resistant coated article when a DLC inclusive coating system is thereafter ion beam deposited on the milled substrate. Amounts sodium (Na) may also be reduced at the surface of the substrate by such milling.

Abstract: A process for spin-on coating with an organic material having a low dielectric constant, which is suitable for a substrate. A dielectric base layer capable of protecting metal is formed on the substrate, an adhesive promoter layer is formed on the dielectric base layer, and the adhesive promoter layer is baked. A solvent is then used to clean the substrate and simultaneously to dissolve a part of the adhesive promoter layer in order to flatten the adhesive promoter layer. Afterwards, a layer of an organic material with a low dielectric constant is spin-on coated on the adhesive promoter layer, and the layer of an organic material with a low dielectric constant is baked and cured.

Abstract: Surface and thereafter applying a priming coating comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene solution containing a dispersed ceramic filler, wherein the priming coating is dried in two steps by first air-drying the coating, followed by force drying at elevated temperatures, wherein a second polytetrafluoroethylene coating is applied on the dried primer coating, and a third polytetrafluoroethylene coating is applied on the second coating while the second coating has not dried. The coated bond tool is baked to cure the second and third coatings. Prior to application of the priming coating, the metallic tool can be subjected to pretreatment such as pre-baking and grit blasting.

Abstract: An ornamental steel plate and a manufacturing method therefor wherein the ornamental steel plate includes a steel plate, a pattern forming groove being formed on the surface of which according to a pattern to be expressed, a pattern forming material having different texture and color from the steel plate and filled in the pattern forming groove, and a decal unit decalled on the surface of the pattern forming material; and the method for manufacturing the ornamental steel plate includes coating an etching resist ink on the surface of the steel plate except for a pattern to be expressed, drying and heating the etching resist ink, forming the pattern forming groove by etching the pattern by spraying an etching solution on the surface of the steel plate, removing the etching resist ink by spraying an etching resist ink remover on the surface of the steel plate, filling the pattern forming material having different texture and color from the steel plate in the pattern forming groove, removing a protruding portion

Abstract: A process for preparing an old porcelain or ceramic substrate and refinishing with an epoxy coating top coat, where the old substrate is treated with an aqueous solution of citric acid prior to the step of coating with epoxy. In preferred aspects, the old substrate is treated with aqueous calcium carbonate solution prior to treating with the citric acid solution.

Abstract: A process for providing a metal-seeded liquid crystal polymer comprising the steps of providing a liquid crystal polymer substrate to be treated by applying an aqueous solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide and a solubilizer as an etchant composition for the liquid crystal polymer substrate. Further treatment of the etched liquid crystal polymer substrate involves depositing an adherent metal layer on the etched liquid crystal polymer substrate. An adherent metal layer may be deposited using either electroless metal plating or vacuum deposition of metal such as by sputtering.

Abstract: A method of producing an electron-emitting device includes the steps of forming a pair of electrodes and an electrically-conductive thin film on a substrate in such a manner that the pair of electrodes are in contact with the electrically-conductive thin film and forming an electron emission region using the electrically-conductive thin film, wherein the method is characterized in that a solution containing a metal element is supplied in a droplet form onto the substrate thereby forming the electrically-conductive thin film.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the surface of tools made of tool steel, wherein primary carbides are embedded in the tool steel matrix. The thickness of the primary carbides disposed near the surface can be reduced by forming a surface which has point-wise recess; alternatively, the primary carbides can be completely removed. A hard material layer is deposited on this surface. The invention also describes tools made of tool steel, wherein primary carbides are embedded in the tool steel matrix. The primary carbides are significantly recessed, and a hard material layer is deposited thereon.

Abstract: A cork stopper for a wine bottle or the like is coated with, for example, silicone rubber to prevent impurities in the cork from contaminating the contents of the bottle. The coating may be applied by dipping or immersion preferably with ultrasonic agitation to improve penetration of the coating material into the cork pores. Prior to coating, the corks may be soaked in a solvent to leach out taint compounds from the surface of the cork, thereby reducing the likelihood of such compounds concentrating on the coating surface.

Abstract: A process for producing a coating on components having peripheries to be placed in direct contact with vaporous media. Such peripheries are wetted over part or all of their surface with a film of liquid when the vaporous media are changed from the vapor state into the liquid state by phase transition. Such films of liquid increase the thermal resistance, for example, of the components. In order to avoid such wetting, the peripheries of each component are roughened. A coat of a non-wettable, amorphous carbon is then applied to the peripheries, at least in regions thereof.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond member and a method for making the same. The member includes a backing and a layer of polycrystalline diamond on the backing wherein the layer of polycrystalline diamond has a rake surface and a flank surface. The layer of polycrystalline diamond has an interior region adjacent to the backing and an exterior region adjacent to the interior region wherein the exterior region terminates at the rake surface. The interior region includes interior diamond particles and a catalyst with the interior diamond particles being bridged together so as to form interstices therebetween. The catalyst is at the interstices of the interior diamond particles. The exterior region includes exterior diamond particles bridged together so as to form interstices therebetween with the exterior region being essentially free of the catalyst. A chemical vapor deposition-applied hard material essentially surrounds the exterior diamond particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to allowing a work piece to stabilize in regard to temperature and humidity/water content prior to precision operations so as to minimize any problems resulting from dimensional changes.

Abstract: The invention provides a guide bush wherein a cemented carbide alloy containing at least cobalt is provided on an inner surface thereof for holding a workpiece rotatably and slidably in the longitudinal axial direction thereof in close proximity of a cutting tool, and a DLC film is formed over the cemented carbide alloy, cobalt being removed from the surface of the cemented carbide alloy, adjoining the DLC film. By forming the DLC film 15 on the surface of the cemented carbide alloy 12 from which cobalt has been removed, with an intermediate layer formed therebetween, adhesiveness of the DLC film against the cemented carbide alloy fixedly attached to the inner surface of the guide bush is further enhanced.

Abstract: Very low glide height magneto-optical (LGMO) information storage and retrieval media of near field recording (NFR) and mahnetic super-resolution (MSR) types having improved tribological properties when used in ultra-high density storage/retrieval devices employing very small head flying heights on the order of less than about 2 microinches are formed in a front surface magneto-optical (FSMO) configuration utilizing a substrate having at least one deposition surface subjected to a two-step, synergistic treatment comprising tape burnishing/wiping and photolytic treatment in an ozone-containing atmosphere, followed by deposition thereon of the MO layer stack. Enhanced wear and abrasion resistance at very low flying head heights is provided by an ultra-thin, protective flash layer overcoat (FLO)/lubricant topcoat layer system on the media surface. Embodiments of the present invention include single- and dual-sided MO media.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating of polyionic materials in a layer-by-layer-like manner onto a polymeric material is provided. A polymeric material, such as a contact lens, can be dipped once into a solution of polyionic materials such that layers of polyionic material can be formed thereon. A single dip solution of the present invention typically contains a polyanionic material and a polycationic material in a non-stoichiometric amount and maintained within a certain pH range.

Abstract: A method for providing a waterborne, inorganic barrier coating to a polyolefin substrate is described. The method involves applying a primer composition containing a vinyl polymer, wherein at least 75% of the polymer repeat units contain side groups having hydroxyl moieties, to the substrate. This primer coating facilitates the application and binding of the subsequently applied barrier coating composition to the substrate.

Abstract: In PCB manufacture, the pads and/or through-holes of a bare board are protected prior to mounting of other components by a silver plating process. The silver plate is applied from a plating composition by a replacement process in which silver ions oxidized copper and deposit a layer of silver at the surface. In the aqueous plating composition the silver ions are maintained in solution by the incorporation of a multidentate complexing agent. The compositions may contain a silver tarnish inhibitor and are free of reducing agent capable of reducing silver ions to silver metal, halide ions and substantially free of non-aqueous solvent. Surface mounted components can be soldered direct to the silver coated contact using any commercially available solder. Silver does not deposit onto solder mask, but only onto metal which is less electropositive than silver.

Abstract: A hand spreadable urethane surface coating product for covering and filling imperfections in an existing surface of a fixture designed for washing includes a first non-aqueous liquid composition of at least on aliphatic urethane resin prepolymer and a second liquid composition of a cross-linking agent for the prepolymer, which when mixed and poured onto a clean and dry surface of a fixture, and gently hand-applied with a cloth to the surface, forms a glossy, durable surface resembling the original surface when new.

Abstract: A reflector plate is provided for scattering radiant heat energy in a semiconductor processing reactor chamber to achieve uniform temperature across a substrate to be processed. The surface is characterized by a plurality of adjoining depressions with substantially no planar sections among the depressions. The width to depth ratio for the depressions averages over 3:1. Crests separating the depressions define an angle of greater than about 60°, thus providing a relatively smooth texture for the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface is thus easy to clean. A method of manufacturing the reflector plate comprises removing material from a planar metal surface by ball-end milling. The depth of each depression and degree of overlap with adjacent depressions can randomly vary within selected ranges. A highly specular finish is then provided on the stippled surface by gold electroplating.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of forming insulating materials proximate conductive elements. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming an insulating material proximate a substrate comprising: a) chemical vapor depositing a first material proximate a substrate; b) forming cavities within the first material; and c) after forming cavities within the first material, transforming at least some of the first material into an insulative second material. In anther aspect, the invention includes a method of forming an insulating material proximate a substrate comprising: a) forming porous polysilicon proximate a substrate; and b) transforming at least some of the porous polysilicon into porous silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The surfaces of particulate polymers are modified by tackifying the surfaces with a liquid that is normally a gas at room temperature. The treatment is carried out while the gas is in its supercritical range and the surfaces of the particulate polymers are at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers. The surface modifications can include adhering solids to the surfaces, altering the surface configuration of the particles and increasing the size of the particles by controlled agglomeration.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards, cards and chip carriers are fabricated by treating an already circuitized substrate with a swelling agent, then treating the circuitized substrate with a composition containing an alkaline permanganate, a chromate and/or chlorite and then applying a metal layer to coat the circuitized portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby a 5-50-nanometer-thick conformal tungsten coating can be formed over exposed semiconductor surfaces (e.g. silicon, germanium or silicon carbide) within a microelectromechanical (MEM) device for improved wear resistance and reliability. The tungsten coating is formed after cleaning the semiconductor surfaces to remove any organic material and oxide film from the surface. A final in situ cleaning step is performed by heating a substrate containing the MEM device to a temperature in the range of 200-600 ° C. in the presence of gaseous nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). The tungsten coating can then be formed by a chemical reaction between the semiconductor surfaces and tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) at an elevated temperature, preferably about 450° C. The tungsten deposition process is self-limiting and covers all exposed semiconductor surfaces including surfaces in close contact.

Abstract: A barrier layer for a silicon containing substrate which inhibits the formation of gaseous species of silicon when exposed to a high temperature aqueous environment comprises a calcium alumino silicate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of derivatizing semiconductor surfaces, particularly porous silicon surfaces with silicon-carbon units. The derivatization occurs through the direct addition of an organometallic reagent in the absence of an external energy source such as heat and photo- or electrochemical energies. The method of the invention allows the formation of unique intermediates including silicon hydride units bonded to metal ions. Because of these unique intermediates, it is possible to form previously inaccessible silicon-carbon units, for example where the carbon atom is an unsaturated carbon atom. Such inaccessible silicon-carbon units also include silicon-polymer covalent bond formation, in particular where the polymer is a conducting polymer. Thus, the present invention also provides a novel semiconductor surface/polymer junction having improved interfacial interactions.

Abstract: A method of depositing material on a substrate using a shadow mask. The mask includes a plurality of etched features which correspond to a plurality of features in the substrate. Spheres are provided in the features of the mask or substrate so that the mask and substrate are aligned when each of the spheres occupy both of the corresponding features in the mask and substrate.

Abstract: Process for the at least partial direct coating of an extensible backing material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, the backing material being guided by a transporting apparatus against a coating apparatus in such a way that the coating apparatus applies the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition to the backing material, characterized in that the coating apparatus is abhesively treated.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection, including a spring contact element, by lithographic techniques. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a masking material over a first portion of a substrate, the masking material having an opening which will define a first portion of a spring structure, depositing a structure material (e.g., conductive material) in the opening, and overfilling the opening with the structure material, removing a portion of the structure material, and removing a first portion of the masking material. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first portion of the spring structure is freed of masking material. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes planarizing the masking material layer and structure material to remove a portion of the structure material. In another aspect, the spring structure formed includes one of a post portion, a beam portion, and a tip structure portion.

Abstract: A method for making integrated circuit wafers wherein the wafer has vias or other openings in the wafer which openings have a barrier/adhesion or other metal layer which is metallized to form the circuit comprising activating the metal layer and then sensitizing the metallic layer using a sensitizing displacement composition comprising preferably an alkaline palladium non-ammonia nitrogen (ethylene diamine) complex which is contacted with the wafer at a specially controlled pH. The wafer is activated using an activation solution which contains a complexing agent for any dissolved metal. The sensitizing solution also preferably contains a complexing agent for dissolved metal and preferably contains a second complexing agent such as EDTA to solubilize base metal contaminants.

Abstract: A combustion chamber component for an internal combustion engine has a water and oil repellent coating which has good adhesive power and in which the effect of suppressing the accumulation of deposits is well maintained. The coating is formed from an organosilicon compound represented by the formula Rf—R1—Si(NH)3/2 wherein Rf denotes a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R1 denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrical feedthru wherein a thin liquid conductive film is deposited into a shallow trough of an insulating machinable substrate. The conductive film and substrate are fired and then the resulting bound composite is ground flush with the adjacent surface of the insulating machinable substrate. The surface cohesion of the fired composite, and the resulting high quality surface finish of the grinding operation, combined with an elastomeric seal, create low leakage barriers capable of supporting a pressure differential while allowing isolated electrical conduction across a pressure or vacuum envelope. The method produces a space saving feedthru which allows a high signal line density in a limited space, is relatively simple to assemble, allows for disassembly rework, can be ‘designed into’ unique geometries of varied applications, and which has a single O-ring sealing across all traces.

Abstract: A method for polishing a glass or glass ceramic substrate comprises the step of using a slurry comprising both diamond and CeO2 particles. We have discovered that the presence of both diamond and CeO2 particles permits one to polish at a high glass removal rate, and concurrently, to leave a texture on the surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite body consisting of a hard metal, cermet or ceramic substrate body and at least one layer of a mechanically resistant material, a ceramic substance, a diamond-like layer, amorphous carbon and/or hexagonal boron nitride. The invention also concerns a method of producing this composite body, wherein, when the green compact has been dewaxed, with its pores still open and whilst it continues to be heated as from a temperature of between 600° C. and 1100° C., it is acted upon by sublimable solids and/or reaction gases which are necessary for coating purposes. The temperature of the green compact is then further increased and the latter is fully compressed by sintering, before one or more layers of the above-mentioned type is/are applied.

Abstract: A cured coated article and a process for making same includes coating a substrate, such as wood, plastic, high pressure laminates, ceramic or metal with a radiation curable top coat having UV protectable additives therein. The radiation curable top coat is subjected to a curing step which includes curing with either an electron beam, ultraviolet radiation or a combination thereof. A sublimatable ink may be transferred into the top coat.

Abstract: A method of removing a ceramic coating, such as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), from the surface of a component, such as a gas turbine engine component. The method generally entails subjecting the ceramic coating to an aqueous solution of ammonium bifluoride, optionally containing a wetting agent, such as by immersing the component in the solution while maintained at an elevated temperature. Using the method of the invention, a ceramic coating can be completely removed from the component and any cooling holes, with essentially no degradation of the bond coat.

Abstract: Stiction failure of a magnetic recording medium is reduced by forming a lubricant topcoat having a first thickness over the landing zone greater than a second thickness over the data zone, with a sharp transition step having an angle of at least about 70° with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface. Embodiments include depositing a lubricant topcoat at a substantially uniform thickness and reducing the thickness of the lubricant topcoat over the data zone by about 20% to about 80% employing a laser light beam to volatilize the lubricant.

Abstract: An electrode substrate is brush cleaned with a hydrogen gas dissolved water, which has an oxidation-reduction potential of −860 mV to −400 mV and a pH of 8 to 12, before applying an alignment layer material on the electrode substrate. Thus, it is possible to decrease the manufacturing costs without decreasing the detergency.

Abstract: An improved alkaline cleaning solution that has the ability to descale, derust, and completely dissolve machining lubricants coated on steel and other iron alloy objects, the alkaline cleaning solution consisting essentially of: (a) water; (b) about 10% to 95% by volume of a water-soluble descaling and derusting agent; and (c) about 2% to 8% by weight of a water-soluble sequestering agent selected from the group consisting of sodium gluconate and its functional equivalents.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board having resinous insulating layers and conductor layers alternately superposed on a circuit board with ample adhesive strength, a method for the production thereof, and a curable resin composition useful for the formation of resinous insulating layers are disclosed. The manufacture of the multilayer printed circuit board is accomplished by applying the curable resin composition to the surface of conductor layer of the circuit board, thermally curing the applied layer thereby forming resinous insulating layer, then boring a through-hole in the circuit board, treating the resinous insulating layer with a coarsening agent thereby imparting undulating coarsened surface thereto, subsequently coating the surface of resinous insulating layer and the inner surface of the through-hole with a conductor layer as by electroless plating, and thereafter forming a prescribed circuit pattern in the conductor layer.

Abstract: Expanded cellular structures are formed from dense nonporous cellulose paper with an air permeance of less than 30 ml/min which cellular structure is provided with a shape retention of at least 90%. The shape stability is obtained by forming the cellular structure, spraying with an aqueous liquid and heating, the amount of liquid, time and temperature of heating being selected and sufficient to provide the desired shape retention. The minimum amount of water is at least 30 weight % of dry paper more usually at least 75% with minimum heating of 1 minute at 100° C.

Abstract: A plated product and apparatus for forming recesses or grooves on material to be plated to produce such a product. The product includes material having a surface having many recesses, each having an opening of size d, where d is in the range 5-100 microns, a depth in the range from 0.2 d to d, or many grooves. In preferred embodiments, each groove or recess has an anchor portion. In some embodiments, each groove has a ridge portion at each of both edges of its opening. The angle of each groove to the surface of the material and each groove's depth and opening width are preferably in specified ranges. When the material is plated, part of the thin metal film enters the anchor portions of its grooves or recesses, so that the plated metal has superior capacity to resist peeling off of the plated metal.

Abstract: By applying a reaction solution containing an aqueous solution of copper salts and salts of inorganic acids, to a pre-oxidized or partially already patinated copper surface, it is possible to produce a patina layer on copper objects, either directly at the construction site or also at the factory. The reaction solution is particularly well-suited for pre-oxidized or partially already patinated copper surfaces. Copper surfaces, which have not been completely green-patinated, or have been damaged, also obtain a uniform patina layer when the reaction solution is used. The reaction solution can be changed in its consistency and adapted to the conditions of use in each case by adding wetting agents or thickeners. The reaction solution can be applied using a brush, roller or spraying device, and can be stored and processed at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A synthetic polymer based surface is coated with polymer particles without the use of an adhesive. A top surface layer is swollen or semidissolved by contacting with a solvent such as acetone, polymer particles are contacted with the surface to partially embed the particles in the surface layer, and the surface layer is dried. The polymer particles are either dry or in a slurry when contacted with the surface, and contact with the polymer particles may be simultaneous or subsequent to contacting with the solvent. The particles may be particles for chromatography, and may be derivatized before or after contacting with the surface such as by coupling an enzyme, DNA, an antibody or an antigen.

Abstract: A pretreatment method for use in manufacturing an improved optical component comprises (i) providing a polymeric optical substrate; and (ii) exposing the polymeric optical substrate to electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 30 nm to about 350 nm. The exposure of the polymeric optical substrate to the electromagnetic energy substantially improves adhesion between the substrate and an optical coating deposited onto the substrate following pretreatment. The invention addresses the significant need for coated plastic optics by providing a method to achieve reliable adhesion of optical coatings placed on polymeric optical substrates. Specifically, this invention enables improved adhesion for even highly curved or shaped parts which have been historically more difficult to coat. The pretreatment method is particularly useful for molded substrates such as molded polymethylmethacrylate.

Abstract: A metal substrate is treated with a plurality of rotating brushes and a slurry of particulate material such that the treated surface is capable of absorbing incident infrared laser radiation. The substrate is itself capable of being visibly imaged by selective writing with an infrared laser. The substrate is coated with an ablatable coating which is transparent to the imaging infrared laser radiation. Selective exposure to infrared laser radiation ablates this coating in the laser exposed areas as a result of the absorption of infrared radiation by the substrate. The substrate can be anodized after rotary brush graining and still retain its ability to be imaged and ablate a coating. The coated article can be imaged in a computer-to-plate infrared laser imaging device. Depending on the specific coating and substrate selection, the imaged article can be used in a conventional lithographic printing process or in a dryographic printing process.

Abstract: A read-only disk and a write-only disk recorded at high density having a magneto-optical film differing in coercive force depending on the information to be recorded disposed on a substrate. In the read-only and write-once disks, signals can be read employing only part of the irradiation beam, and thus super-resolution reading is realized.

Abstract: A process for additive manufacture by energetic wire deposition is described. A source wire is fed into a energy beam generated melt-pool on a growth surface as the melt-pool moves over the growth surface. This process enables the rapid prototyping and manufacture of fully dense, near-net shape components, as well as cladding and welding processes. Alloys, graded materials, and other inhomogeneous materials can be grown using this process.

Abstract: A simulated rock and a method of producing it, using Portland Cement, Bentonite or lime, polystyrene, and water. Ground polystyrene is mixed with cement, Bentonite or lime, and water, to form a settable cement formulation which is poured into removable forms. Reinforcing members are included in the mold, and a lifting hook is provided for later lifting and transporting of the resultant simulated rock. One or more base coats can be applied using a different formula, and a color coat can be applied. The method is use for making landscaping rocks, rock fountains, stone barbecues, light pillars, planters, room dividers, artificial masonry panels, and any structure which uses rocks or masonry.