Abstract: A round-shank pick, comprising a pick head and a pick shank, the pick head including a base part and a cutting element, which is connected to the base part and is composed of a hard material, in particular hard metal, wherein the base part has a wear-resistant layer on the outer surface thereof at the connection to the cutting element, which wear-resistant layer covers at least one segment of the outer surface of the base part facing the cutting element and wherein an end face of the wear-resistant layer facing the cutting element is covered by the cutting element. The base part has an axially oriented cut-out for receiving a fastening segment of the cutting element, the base part has a counter surface facing the cutting element and extending around the cut-out, and the counter surface and the end face of the wear-resistant layer form a continuous flat surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating high efficiency CIGS solar cells including the deposition of a multi-component metal precursor film on a substrate. The substrate is then inserted into a system suitable for exposing the precursor to a chalcogen to form a chalcogenide TFPV absorber. One or more Na precursors are used to deposit a Na-containing layer on the precursor film in the system. This method eliminates the use of dedicated equipment and processes for introducing Na to the TFPV absorber.

Abstract: A low-expansion glass ceramic plate, in which a black coating is applied directly or indirectly to at least some areas of at least one side of the plate and the coating contains precious metal. In order to produce a glass ceramic plate of this type that is opaque, while simultaneously retaining a sufficient degree of its thermal stability, according to this invention, the precious metal content in the coating is ?50 wt. %, the bismuth oxide content in the coating is at most 20 wt. %, and the layer thickness of the coating is at least 200 nm.

Abstract: Methods for improving surface roughness of an environmental barrier coating involving providing a component having a plasma sprayed environmental barrier coating; applying a slurry to the environmental barrier coating of the component, the slurry being a transition layer slurry or an outer layer slurry; drying the environmental barrier coating having the applied slurry; and sintering the component to produce a component having an improved surface roughness wherein the slurry includes water; a primary transition material, or a primary outer material; and a slurry sintering aid.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a direct metal deposition (DMD) structure having substantially fully forged structural qualities is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes depositing a layer of metallic material onto an existing metallic structure having a microstructure that provides the existing metallic structure with substantially fully forged structural qualities. The DMD layer has a microstructure that provides the DMD layer with non-forged structural qualities.

Abstract: A method is presented for use in fabrication of metal islands on an oxide substrate. The method comprises: depositing a selected metal on the oxide substrate by evaporation of said selected metal; and annealing a film of the selected metal on said substrate at temperatures including an annealing temperature being less than 50° C. lower than a glass transition temperature, thereby forming the metal islands partially embedded in said substrate.

Abstract: A method of making cutting tool inserts with high demands on dimensional accuracy includes: mixing by milling of powders forming hard constituents and binder phase, forming the powder mixture to bodies of desired shape, sintering the formed bodies, grinding with high accuracy the sintered bodies to inserts with desired shape and dimension, optionally edge rounding of cutting edges, and providing the ground inserts with a wear resistant non-diamond or non-diamond-like coating. According to the method, the ground inserts are heat treated prior to the coating operation in an inert atmosphere or vacuum or other protective atmosphere below the solidus of the binder phase for such a time that the micro structure of the surface region is restructured without causing significant dimensional changes. In this way inserts with unexpected improvement of tool life and dimensional accuracy have been achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic applications, optionally an oxygen-evolving anode, obtained on a titanium substrate and having a highly compact dual barrier layer comprising titanium and tantalum oxides and a catalytic layer. A method for forming the dual barrier layer comprises the thermal decomposition of a precursor solution applied to the substrate optionally followed by a quenching step and a lengthy thermal treatment at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method may include the steps of mixing a carbon-free silicon-containing precursor with a radical-nitrogen-and/or-hydrogen precursor, and depositing a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer on a substrate. The conversion of the silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer to a silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer is then initiated by a low temperature anneal (a “cure”) in an ozone-containing atmosphere. The conversion of the silicon-and-nitrogen film to silicon oxide in the ozone-containing atmosphere may be incomplete and augmented by a higher temperature anneal in an oxygen-containing environment.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing electrodes for electrolysis, including the steps of forming an arc ion plating undercoating layer comprising valve metal or valve metal alloy including a crystalline tantalum component and a crystalline titanium component on the surface of the electrode substrate comprising valve metal or valve metal alloy, by an arc ion plating method; heat sintering the electrode substrate to transform only the tantalum component of the arc ion plating undercoating layer into an amorphous substance; and forming an electrode catalyst layer on the surface of the arc ion plating undercoating layer including the valve metal or valve metal alloy including the tantalum component transformed to the amorphous substance and the crystalline titanium component.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass and enamel compositions. The glass compositions comprise SiO2, Cs2O, Na2O, ZnO, B2O3, and TiO2, and optionally Bi2O3 and F. The resulting compositions can be used to form an enamel on a substrate, for example, to decorate and/or protect the substrate.

Abstract: A coating composition, coated articles, and methods of coating, wherein the composition includes: a resin system comprising a polysilazane and optionally a polysiloxane and/or optionally an aromatic hydrocarbon; and glass particles having a softening point below operating temperature, a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least 80, and a dielectric constant of at least 5.

Abstract: A silicon oxide of a film thickness of about 50 nm is formed on a surface of a silicon substrate by thermal oxidation. Silver is implanted into the silicon oxide with implantation energy of about 30 keV by a negative ion implantation method. By subjecting the silicon oxide, into which the silver has been implanted, to heat treatment at a temperature of not lower than 200° C. and lower than the melting point of silver, silver particles are formed. By oxidizing the surface portions of the fine particles by heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, silver oxide is formed as a coating layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in depositing on a substrate a solution containing metal mineral salts constituting chalcopyrite and an organic binder; then drying to obtain a solid film on the substrate; and finally contacting the film with an atmosphere containing one or more elements of group 16 of the periodic table and forming chalcopyrite by thermal reaction.

Abstract: A method of protecting an electronics package is discussed along with devices formed by the method. The method involves providing at least one electronic component that requires protecting from tampering and/or reverse engineering. Further, the method includes mixing into a liquid glass material at least one of high durability micro-particles or high-durability nano-particles, to form a coating material. Further still, the method includes depositing the coating material onto the electronic component and curing the coating material deposited.

Abstract: A crystalline glass with a characteristic of precipitating crystals from the surface of the crystalline glass to the interior thereof when it is being heated at a temperature higher than the softening point is used in the invention. A plurality of small crystalline glass masses 12 are accumulated and leveled in a fireproof mold coated with a mold release agent, and two crystalline glass plates 14A and 14B cut in an S shape are placed on the accumulated surface of the small crystalline glass masses 12 with the cut faces tightly bonded. A heat treatment is then performed to obtain a crystallized glass article having patterns. The crystalline glass plate can be cut into any shape to tightly bond the cut faces, and therefore the obtained crystallized glass articles have different patterns like natural-marble-like patterns, human figure patterns, animal patterns, etc. The invention also discloses a method of producing crystallized articles having patterns.

Abstract: A process for making an endoprosthesis comprising: (a) applying a powder that includes a metal hydride to a surface of a metal endoprosthesis, or precursor tubing thereof; and (b) exposing the powder to a heat source to melt the powder and liberate hydrogen gas, thereby forming a porous coating on the surface of the endoprosthesis, or precursor tubing thereof.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing electrodes for electrolysis, including steps of forming an arc ion plating (AIP) undercoating layer including valve metal or valve metal alloy containing a crystalline tantalum component and a crystalline titanium component on a surface of the electrode substrate comprising valve metal or valve metal alloy, by an arc ion plating method; heat sintering, including the steps of coating a metal compound solution, which includes valve metal as a chief element, onto the surface of the AIP undercoating layer, followed by heat sintering to transform only the tantalum component of the AIP undercoating layer into an amorphous substance, and to form an oxide interlayer, which includes a valve metal oxides component as a chief element, on the surface of the AIP undercoating layer containing the transformed amorphous tantalum component and the crystalline titanium component; and forming an electrode catalyst layer on the surface of the oxide interlayer.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal coating on surfaces of internal passages of a turbine blade includes, in an exemplary embodiment, the steps of positioning the turbine blade in a CVD chamber, coupling a reagent gas manifold to at least one internal passage inlet, and coating the surfaces of the at least one internal passage by a CVD process using metal coating reagent gases to form a metal coating on the surfaces of the at least one internal passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to boron-containing compositions. The invention relates to comminuted, heteroge-neousboron-containing compositions which are obtainable by a process which comprises heating to a temperature sufficiently high that calcination occurs but insufficient for the formation of a homogeneous melt a mixture comprising components capable, under the conditions of heating, of forming the oxides B2O3 and SiO2 and optionally Al2O3, Na2O and/or CaO in proportions such that the relative percentages by weight of the said oxides, based on the total weight of said oxides, are as follows: 5 to 35% B2O3; 10 to 65% SiO2; 0 to 35% Al2O3; and up to 20% Na2O and/or up to 50% CaO; with the proviso that the said B2O3 content is not 10 to 18%, when the other contents are as follows: 40 to 65% SiO2, 17 to 32% Al2O3 4 to 9% Na2O, and 0 to 10% CaO, and then comminuting the resulting composition.

Abstract: A process for protecting a thermal barrier coating (TBC) on a component used in a high-temperature environment, such as the hot section of a gas turbine engine. The process applies a protective film on the surface of the TBC to resist infiltration of contaminants such as CMAS that can melt and infiltrate the TBC to cause spallation. The process generally entails applying to the TBC surface a metal composition containing at least one metal whose oxide resists infiltration of CMAS into the TBC. The metal composition is applied so as to form a metal film on the TBC surface and optionally to infiltrate porosity within the TBC beneath its surface. The metal composition is then converted to form an oxide film, with at least a portion of the oxide film forming a surface deposit on the TBC surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pigment compositions, thick film black pigment compositions, conductive single layer thick film compositions, black electrodes made from such black conductive compositions and methods of forming such electrodes, and to the uses of such compositions, electrodes, and methods in flat panel display applications, including alternating-current plasma display panel devices (AC PDP).

Abstract: There are provided a composition and method for forming a silicon-cobalt film at low production cost without expensive vacuum equipment and high-frequency generator. The composition is a silicon-cobalt film forming composition comprising a silicon compound and a cobalt compound. A silicon-cobalt film is formed by applying this composition on a substrate and subjecting the resulting substrate to a heat treatment and/or a light treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to lead free, cadmium free, bismuth free low melting high durability glass and enamel compositions. The compositions comprise silica, zinc, titanium, and boron oxide based glass frits. The resulting compositions can be used to decorate and protect automotive, beverage, architectural, pharmaceutical and other glass substrates.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, a coated article includes a Zn-doped zirconium based layer before heat treatment (HT). The coated article is heat treated sufficiently to cause the Zn-doped zirconium based layer to transform into a Zn-doped zirconium oxide based layer that is scratch resistant and/or chemically durable. The doping of the layer with Zn has been found to improve scratch resistance and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite material consisting of intermetallic phases and ceramic, in particular in the form of a coating on metallic substrates, as well as an arc wire spraying process for production of the composite material in which the intermetallic phases and the ceramics to be deposited are newly formed during the deposit process from the components of the supplied wires by chemical reaction. The invention further concerns wear resistant layers formed by the composites, tribologic layers and plating or hard-facing materials.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that a base material is coated with a ceramic thin film comprising a composite phase composed of a first phase mainly formed of a silicon ceramic component and a second phase mainly formed of a ceramic component other than the silicon ceramic component of the first phase, in which the amount of fine crystal particles of at least one ceramic component that constitutes the second phase slopingly increases toward a surface layer. According to the present invention, there are provided a ceramic thin film coating material having a slope constitution, which not only has an excellent function such as a photocatalyst function, an electrical function, a thermal catalyst function or a catalyst-supporting function or environment resistance such as oxidation resistance, alkaline resistance or wear resistance but also has excellent dynamic properties, and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: A method for making a porous film includes the steps of forming a cermet film and/or a ceramic film by depositing or co-depositing suitable materials on a substrate, and causing metal in the material(s) to reduce and/or to diffuse to the cermet film surface and/or the ceramic film surface to render the porous film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a green ceramic coating composition, the composition comprises nano-sized particles dispersed within a carrier medium together with preformed particles. The composition optionally comprises an infiltration medium.

Abstract: Carbon-ceramic brake discs, the remaining porosity in which, after infiltration with a carbide-forming element and reaction of this element with at least part of the carbon in the preliminary body of the carbon-ceramic brake disc to form carbides, is at least partly filled with particles whose average diameter is in the range from 0.5 nm to 20 nm, and a process for producing carbon-ceramic brake discs with reduced porosity, wherein carbon-ceramic brake discs are treated with a solution of organic compounds of boron, zirconium, titanium, silicon or aluminum or mixtures of such compounds, the cited organic compounds being present as sols in an organic solvent, after removal from the sol bath the brake discs treated in this way are dried in an oven at a heating rate of between 30 K/h and 300 K/h under air or protective gas and are then tempered at a final temperature of between 350° C. and 800° C.

Abstract: A process capable of depositing a diffusion coating of uniform thickness on localized surface regions of a component. The process makes use of an adhesive mixture containing a binding agent that is consumed as part of the deposition process so as not to negatively affect the quality and uniformity of the resulting coating. The process entails mixing a particulate donor material containing a coating element, a dissolved activator, and a particulate filler to form an adhesive mixture having a formable, malleable consistency. The adhesive mixture is applied to a surface of the component, and the component is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize and react the activator with the coating element of the donor material, thereby forming a reactive vapor of the coating element. The reactive vapor reacts at the surface of the component to form a diffusion coating containing the coating element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston ring coated with a coating material by a thermal spray process, exposed to heat treatment of the coating material at an elevated temperature and for a time effective to at least partially diffuse the coating material into the piston ring surface or underlying layer of coating material, and an additionally applied coating material layer subject to successive heat treatments of each coating material layer in order to lay down on the piston ring surface a plurality of layers of the same coating material.

Abstract: A method of forming a dense and crack-free hematite-containing protective layer on a metal-based substrate for use in a high temperature oxidising and/or corrosive environment comprises applying onto the substrate a particle mixture consisting of: 60 to 99 95 weight %, in particular 70 to 95 weight % such as 75 to 85 weight %, of hematite with or without iron metal and/or ferrous oxide; 1 to 25 weight %, in particular 5 8 to 20 weight % such as 8 to 15 weight %, of nitride and/or carbide particles, such as boron nitride, aluminium nitride or zirconium carbide particles; and 0 to 15 weight %, in particular 5 to 15 weight %, of one or more further constituents that consist of at least one metal or metal oxide or a heat-convertible precursor thereof.

Abstract: Low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures provide solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one aspect the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another aspect, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe and Cu, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A ceramic tile includes a ceramic core material and an oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC), where the ceramic core material has at least one surface covered by the oxide CMC. The oxide CMC includes a ceramic fiber, with a cured metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber. An exemplary embodiment of the ceramic tile provided as part of the invention further includes a tough low temperature cure coating (TLTC) which infiltrates the ceramic core surface before it is covered by the oxide CMC. The TLTC includes a cured ceramic powder together with a binder. The metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber, and the TLTC are co-cured, meaning that neither is cured when the CMC is wrapped around a surface of the TLTC-infiltrated ceramic core, and a curing step is performed on both uncured ceramic materials at the same time.

Abstract: A method of making cermet inert anodes for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The method includes the step of spray drying a slurry comprising ceramic phase particles and metal phase particles. The resultant spray dried powder, which comprises agglomerates of both the ceramic phase and metal phase particles, may then be consolidated by techniques such as pressing and sintering to produce a cermet inert anode material. The ceramic phase may comprise oxides of Ni, Fe and at least one additional metal selected from Zn, Co, Al, Li, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Ta, W, Mo, Hf and rare earths. The metal phase may comprise Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Au, Rh, Ru, Ir and/or Os. The consolidated cermet inert anode material exhibits improved properties such as reduced porosity. The cermet inert anodes may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum as well as other metals.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to enhance the reliability of the electrical connection of a silver-based conductor film on the surface of a glass ceramic board. In order to achieve the object, according to the present invention, by the use of a conductor paste containing a silver particle having a specific surface area of 0.3 m2/g to 3.0 m2/g and no glass, printing is carried out on a glass ceramic board and the conductor paste is fired at a firing temperature having a difference of ±50° C. from a softening temperature of amorphous borosilicate glass contained in the glass ceramic. Consequently, a silver-based conductor film having high reliability of the electrical connection is formed on the ceramic board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a surface layer with embedded inter-metallic phases, which is distinguished by the fact that a layer comprising a metal and a ceramic is applied to a substrate element, that a reaction takes place between the metal and the ceramic of the layer as a result of energy being introduced during the application of the layer or as a result of a subsequent introduction of energy, and as a result the surface layer is produced, with inter-metallic phases being formed.

Abstract: High areal storage density, patterned magnetic media comprising a patterned plurality of at least partially crystalline, ferromagnetic particles or grains are provided by means of a simple, economical process wherein a non-magnetic substrate is provided with a layer of an amorphous, paramagnetic or anti-paramagnetic material comprising at least one component, e.g., a metal element, which is ferromagnetic when in at least partially crystalline form, and at least partially crystallizing the at least one component at selected areas of the amorphous layer to form a spaced-apart pattern of at least partially crystallized, ferromagnetic particles or grains of the at least one component, the particles or grains being spaced apart and surrounded by a matrix of the amorphous material. Embodiments include utilizing a focussed or scanned laser source and an amorphous Ni—P layer for forming ferromagnetic Ni particles or grains.

Abstract: A porous member for pneumatic bearings or the like provides a controlled gas flow rate across a porous ceramic body, which can be readily achieved by a facilitated treatment. The porous body has its outer surface portion covered by a surface layer comprised of fine silica particles which are impregnated in the porous body. The surface layer is subjected to a heat treatment to form restricted passages which are in communication with, and smaller in size than pores within the porous body.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes: a ceramic substrate, an electrode and a piezoelectric portion made of a piezoelectric ceramic composition containing a Pb(Mg, Ni)1/3Nb2/3O3—PbZrO3—PbTiO3 ternary system solid solution composition being represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component: Pbx{(Mg1−yNiy)1/3×aNb2/3}bTicZrdO3 (1), wherein 0.95≦x≦1.05; 0.05≦y≦0.20; 0.90≦a≦1.10; b,c, and d are decimals falling in a range surrounded by (b, c, d)=(0.550, 0.425, 0.025), (0.550, 0.325, 0.125), (0.375, 0.325, 0.300), (0.100, 0.425, 0.475), (0.100, 0.475, 0.425) and (0.375, 0.425, 0.200) in the coordinates with coordinate axes of said b, c and d, and b+c+d=1.000. The electrode is electrically connected to the piezoelectric portion, and the piezoelectric portion is solidly attached to the ceramic substrate directly or via the electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to the coloring of ceramics by means of ionic or complex-containing solutions. Solutions preferred for this contain defined concentrations of at least one of the salts or complexes of the rare earth elements or the elements of the subgroups. The invention also relates to a kit, which comprises at least one stock bottle with such a coloring solution, a receptacle for the coloring as well as optionally a screen.

Abstract: A complexly shaped Si/SiC cermet part including a protective coating deposited on a surface of the cermet part facing the plasma of the reactor. The cermet part is formed by casting a SiC green form and machining the shape into the green form. The green form is incompletely sintered such that it is unconsolidated and shrinks by less than 1% during sintering. Molten silicon is flowed into the voids of the unconsolidated sintered body. Chemical vapor deposition or plasma spraying coats onto the cermet structure a protective film of silicon carbide, boron carbide, diamond, or related carbon-based materials. The part may be configured for use in a plasma reactor, such as a chamber body, showerhead, focus ring, or chamber liner.

Abstract: An adhesion-promoting composition for bonds between plastic and other materials, such as metal, ceramic, glass ceramic and glass is described, which contains an alcoholate of titanium, of zirconium or of hafnium and allows production of strongly adhesive, moisture-stable and hydrolysis-resistant bonds.

Abstract: A filter having two zones, the first zone having a low electrical conductivity and the second zone having a high electrical conductivity at electrode attachment zones due to infiltration of metal within the second zone.

Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one embodiment the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another embodiment, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe, Cu and Ag, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide photocatalyst carrier is prepared by coating a surface of a substrate with a titanium dioxide precursor solution prepared from a hydrolyzable titanium compound and an aromatic compound solvent, and then heat-treating the coated substrate thereby preparing a carrier coated with a thin layer of titanium oxide.

Abstract: A method of forming an aluminum silicon diffusion coating on a surface of an alloy product utilizes a diffusion mixture containing by weight 1% to 5% aluminum, 0.5% to 5% silicon, 0.5% to 3% ammonium halide activator and the balance an inert filler. The product to be coated is placed in a retort with the diffusion mixture covering the product surfaces to be coated. Upon heating aluminum and silicon will diffuse onto the product surfaces forming the aluminum and silicon diffusion coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a non-permeable, ceramic layer of a thickness of not more than about 100 &mgr;m to a ceramic or metallic body by applying a solution of one or more elastomers, which elastomers contain substantially not exclusively sulfur, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, optionally drying, and pyrolyzing to form a porous layer and subsequently sintering at increased temperature to form a non-permeable ceramic layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a conductive coating on glass and enamelled steel using a screen-printable aluminum paste. The paste to be used contains: 40 to 80 wt. %, in particular, 50 to 75 wt. % aluminum powder; 5 to 40 wt. %, in particular, 9 to 25 wt. % glass frit having an initial softening temperature of 400 to 700° C., in particular, 420 to 580° C.; 10 to 35 wt. % of a liquid or thermoplastic medium; and 0 to 10 wt. % sintering aid. The substrate coated with the paste is heated at 500 to 750° C., in particular, 590 to 690° C. The coating on the substrate is characterized by having a low specific resistance of less than 100 &mgr;ohm·cm, in particular in the range of 10 to 70 &mgr;ohm·cm, and good adhesion.