Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a substrate based essentially on nitinol and, arranged thereon at least partially, a covering or a coating based on at least one polyphosphazene derivative having the general formula (I), a process for its production, and the use of the device as an artificial implant, vascular or nonvascular stent, catheter, thrombolectomy or embolectomy catheter, fragmentation spindle or catheter, filter, vascular connector, hernia patch, oral, dental or throat implant or urether.

Abstract: An article which comprises a surface of light metal. The surface is provided with an alkali-resistant protective coat comprising (a) an oxide layer which comprises silicon and boron as a basecoat and (b) an oxide layer which comprises silicon as a vitreous topcoat.

Abstract: An electronic device housing is provided. The electronic device housing includes a substrate, a metallic coating formed on the substrate, and a top paint coating formed on the metallic coating. The top paint coating contains nano-titanium dioxide powder. The top paint coating has a self-cleaning property. It can oxygenize and clean off dust and sweat accumulated on the surface of the electronic device housing.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate valve for use in a high vacuum environment of an electron gun by machining a core of non-magnetic nickel-chromium-molybdenum-iron-tungsten-silicon-carbon alloy that is weldable with nickel alloys and has a tensile strength of about 750 megapascals, machining a cladding of nickel-iron, welding the core to the cladding to form the gate valve, and machining the gate valve so as to remove any dimensional differences at an interface between the core and the cladding. In this manner, because the final mechanical tolerance is controlled by machining instead of part assembling, extremely high alignment accuracy is obtained. The final part provides field shielding as provided by the nickel alloy shell, low stray field provided by the non-magnetic alloy, good vacuum performance, and tight mechanical tolerance control.

Abstract: An FeO layer including fine crystal grains having random orientation is formed as inner layer scale on the surface of the steel wire rod containing C: 0.05-1.2 mass % (hereinafter referred to as “%”), Si: 0.01-0.50%, Mn: 0.1-1.5%, P: 0.02% or below, S: 0.02% or below, N: 0.005% or below, an Fe2SiO4 layer with the thickness: 0.01-1.0 ?m is formed in the boundary face between the FeO layer of the inner layer scale and steel, and the thickness of the inner layer scale is 1-40% of the total scale thickness. In another aspect, the maximum grain size of the crystal grain of the inner layer scale is 5.0 ?m or below and the average grain size is 2.0 ?m or below.

Abstract: A sintered article is fabricated which contains one or more of indium oxide, zinc oxide, and tin oxide as a component thereof and contains any one or more types of metal out of hafnium oxide, tantalum oxide, lanthanide oxide, and bismuth oxide. A backing plate is attached to this sintered article to constitute a sputtering target. This sputtering target is used to fabricate a conductive film on a predetermined substrate by sputtering. This conductive film achieves a large work function while maintaining as much transparency as heretofore. This conductive film can be used to achieve an EL device or the like of improved hole injection efficiency.

Abstract: A method for diffusing titanium and nitride into a base material having a generally compact, granular microstructure (e.g., carbide). The method generally includes the steps of providing a base material having a generally compact, granular microstructure; providing a salt bath which includes sodium dioxide and a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium cyanate and potassium cyanate; dispersing metallic titanium formed by electrolysis of a titanium compound in the bath; heating the salt bath to a temperature ranging from about 430° C. to about 670° C.; and soaking the base material in the salt bath for a time of from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the base material may further be treated with conventional surface treatments or coatings.

Abstract: A cermet has a hard phase which contains W and nitrogen, and includes at least one selected from a carbide, nitride and carbonitride of a metal having Ti as a main component, and a binder phase having an iron group metal as a main component. A W amount contained in the whole cermet is 5 to 40% by weight, an interfacial phase including a complex carbonitride with a larger W amount than a W amount of the hard phase being present between grains of the hard phase, and when a W amount contained in the interfacial phase based on the whole metal element is represented by Wb (atomic %), and a W amount contained in the hard phase based on the whole metal element is represented by Wh (atomic %), then, an atomic ratio of Wb to Wh (Wb/Wh) is 1.7 or more. The cermet is excellent in fracture resistance and wear resistance.

Abstract: Provided are a thin film transistor substrate having a transparent electroconductive film in which residues and so on resulting etching are hardly generated; a process for producing the same; and a liquid crystal display using this thin film transistor substrate. A thin film transistor substrate, comprising a transparent substrate, a source electrode formed over the transparent substrate, a drain electrode formed over the transparent substrate, and a transparent pixel electrode formed over the transparent substrate, wherein the transparent pixel electrode is a transparent electroconductive film which is made mainly of indium oxide, and further comprises one or two or more oxides selected from tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, nickel oxide and niobium oxide, and the transparent pixel electrode is electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode; a process for producing the same; and a liquid crystal display using this thin film transistor substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a covering member for preventing erosion that has a high erosion resistance, is resistant to repeated thermal shocks so as to have a long life, and has a particular color allowing visual inspection of the surface layer for degradation. A covering member to be applied to a substrate made of an iron material or the like that will be eroded by contact with molten aluminum includes a Cr metal film as the lowest layer, a b layer formed of a CrN film, an intermediate layer, and an a layer formed of a TiSiN film, stacked in this order on the substrate. The intermediate layer includes layered films composed of the b layers and the a layers alternately stacked on top of one another.

Abstract: A coated body that includes a substrate and a coating scheme on the substrate. The coating scheme includes a CVD titanium carbonitride coating layer containing titanium carbonitride grains that are of a pre-selected grain size. The coating scheme further includes a first titanium/aluminum-containing coating layer containing first titanium/aluminum-containing grains applied so as to be farther away from the substrate than the titanium carbonitride coating layer. The first titanium/aluminum-containing grains are of a pre-selected grain size. The coating scheme also includes a CVD alumina coating layer containing alumina grains applied so as to be farther away from the substrate than the first titanium/aluminum-containing coating layer. The alumina grains are of a pre-selected grain size.

Abstract: A stainless steel material for a fuel cell, used for a fuel cell or a cartridge for the fuel cell, having a magnetic permeability of 1.000 to 2.500, and forming a layer having a value of chromium atomic %/iron atomic % of not less than 3.0 in the most surface thereof, and/or the layer of thickness of not less than 12 nm calculated as SiO2 having an oxygen atomic % of not less than 20%. Even when brought into contact with the content solution exhibiting acidity of the fuel cell, the stainless steel material reliably suppresses the elution of metal ions thereof.

Abstract: High density oxide films are deposited by a pulsed-DC, biased, reactive sputtering process from a titanium containing target to form high quality titanium containing oxide films. A method of forming a titanium based layer or film according to the present invention includes depositing a layer of titanium containing oxide by pulsed-DC, biased reactive sputtering process on a substrate. In some embodiments, the layer is TiO2. In some embodiments, the layer is a sub-oxide of Titanium. In some embodiments, the layer is TixOy wherein x is between about 1 and about 4 and y is between about 1 and about 7. In some embodiments, the layer can be doped with one or more rare-earth ions. Such layers are useful in energy and charge storage, and energy conversion technologies.

Abstract: A composition for application to a metal substrate comprising at least one metallate compound comprising hexafluorzirconate, zirconyl nitrate, and/or yttrium nitrate is provided. The composition may further comprise additives that promote corrosion resistance of the metal substrate, or the adhesion of subsequent coatings, such as one or more rare earth element salts; allontoin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, surfactants, and other additives and co-inhibitors. A metal substrate such as an aluminum or an aluminum alloy substrate coated with a metallate composition according to the present invention is also provided. A process for preparing a coating on a metal substrate to improve the corrosion resistance of the substrate or improve the adhesion of a subsequent coating is also provided. The process comprises treating the metal substrate with an aqueous solution comprising a metallate compound.

Abstract: Steel sheet for container use able to realize superior corrosion resistance and canmaking ability, wherein at least one side of the steel sheet is provided with a chemical conversion coating film including a mixture of a zirconium oxide compound and a zirconium phosphate compound, the zirconium oxide compound is segregated at part or all of a region of 40 to 100% from the surface with respect to the total thickness of the chemical conversion coating film, and the zirconium phosphate compound is segregated at part or all of a region of 0 to 40% from the surface with respect to the total thickness of the chemical conversion coating film.

Abstract: Methods of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool include providing at least one insert in a mold cavity, providing particulate matter in the mold cavity, melting a metal and the hard material to form a molten composition, and casting the molten composition. Other methods include coating at least one surface of a mold cavity with a coating material having a composition differing from a composition of the mold, melting a metal and a hard material to form a molten composition, and casting the molten composition. Articles comprising at least a portion of an earth-boring tool include at least one insert and a solidified eutectic or near-eutectic composition including a metal phase and a hard material phase. Other articles include a solidified eutectic or near-eutectic composition including a metal phase and a hard material phase and a coating material in contact with the solidified eutectic or near-eutectic composition.

Abstract: Thermal barrier coating systems for use with hot section components of a gas turbine engine include an inner layer overlying a bond coated substrate and a top layer overlying at least a portion of the inner layer. The inner layer includes a thermal barrier material such as yttria-stabilized zirconia. The top layer includes a rare earth aluminate. The thicknesses and microstructures of the layers may be varied depending on the type of component to be coated. Articles incorporating the thermal barrier coating system exhibit improved resistance to CMAS infiltration.

Abstract: A multilayer coating includes a bond coat layer and a first barrier layer applied on the bond coat layer. The first barrier layer has a compositional gradient comprising a majority of a first rare earth stabilized zirconia material proximate the bond coat layer to a majority of a second rare earth stabilized zirconia material away from the bond coat layer. The first and second rare earth stabilized zirconia materials are different.

Abstract: A heat-resistant alloy capable of effectively suppressing diffusion of Cr, as well as an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device are provided. A heat-resistant alloy includes a Cr-containing alloy, and a Cr-diffusion suppression layer located on at least a part of a surface of the Cr-containing alloy, the Cr-diffusion suppression layer being made by laminating a first layer that contains a Zn-containing oxide and a second layer that does not contain ZnO but contains an (La, Sr)MnO3-based perovskite oxide in that order, so that it is possible to effectively suppress diffusion of Cr. By using the heat-resistant alloy for an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device each having improved reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: A gas sensor is equipped with a built-in ceramic heater. The gas sensor detects the concentration of a predetermined gas component contained in the exhaust gas. The ceramic heater has a heater base member made of ceramic, a heating element formed in the inside of the heater base material, and a pair of external electrode pads that is electrically connected to the output terminals for the outer leads. The external electrode pads, the heating element, and the heater leads are made of base metal. The outer surface of each external electrode pad is covered only with a dense protective film made of noble metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), and palladium (Pd).

Abstract: Coated cemented carbide inserts (cutting tool), particularly useful for wet or dry milling of steels, are disclosed. The cutting tool insert is characterized by a cemented carbide body comprising WC, NbC and TaC, a W-alloyed Co binder phase, and a coating comprising an innermost layer of TiCxNyOz with equiaxed grains, a layer of TiCxNyOz with columnar grains and a layer of ?-Al2O3.

Abstract: A foil for producing a metal honeycomb or catalyst carrier body, has an average surface roughness of more than 0.3 ?m (micrometers) on both surfaces in at least one measurement direction. Preferably, the foil is rolled and has an average surface roughness of more than 0.3 or 0.5 ?m, especially approximately 0.6 ?m, in the rolling direction and/or transverse thereto. The foil can have an oxide coating with a thickness between 60 and 80 or between 70 and 75 nm (nanometers) on both surfaces. Despite the roughness, an even thickness of the oxide coating with a tolerance of less than 10% or 5% is advantageous on both surfaces. The foil allows production of durable honeycomb bodies, especially for exhaust systems of internal combustion engines, requiring an exactly defined distribution and quality of compounds in the interior thereof. A honeycomb body and method of production using a foil, are also provided.

Abstract: In a part for a rotary machine, a ceramic hard film is formed on a surface of a base material, the density of droplets which exist in a surface of the ceramic hard film is set to be within 1000 pieces/mm2, and the density of droplets whose mean particle diameter is 1 ?m or less is set to be within 550 pieces/mm2. A method for manufacturing the part of a rotary machine is a method for forming the ceramic hard film by at least an ion plating method or a sputtering method.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ultra-hydrophilic and antibacterial thin film coated metal product, and its manufacturing method. In order to easily produce an air conditioning metal material having excellent hydrophilic performance, aging property, corrosion resistance and antibacterial property on an industrial production scale without a special preprocess or postprocess, an anticorrosive thin film is selectively formed on both surfaces of a metal substrate sheet, and an ultra-hydrophilic and antibacterial Ti—(Ag, Cu and/or Co)—O—C group compound thin film is coated on both surfaces of the metal substrate sheet on which the anticorrosive thin film has been or not been formed. The metal substrate sheet is mechanically processed into a target shape.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a coated cutting tool insert particularly useful for dry and wet machining, preferably milling, in low and medium alloyed steels, stainless steels, with or without raw surface zones under severe conditions such as vibrations, long overhang and recutting of chips. The insert is characterized by WC—Co cemented carbide with a W and Cr alloyed Co-binder phase and a coating including at least three TiCxNyOz layers and a top layer at least on the rake face of a smooth ?-Al2O3.

Abstract: A wear-, erosion- and chemically-resistant material containing tungsten alloyed with carbon, the carbon being present in an amount of 0.01 wt % up to 0.97 wt % of the total weight, wherein the material preferably comprises a matrix of metallic tungsten with dispersed tungsten carbide nanoparticles having a particle size not greater than 50 nanometers, preferably not greater than 10 nanometers. The material is optionally also alloyed with fluorine, the fluorine being present in an amount of 0.01 wt % up to 0.4 wt % of the total weight. The material is extremely hard and tough.

Abstract: A layer system is disclosed. The layer system includes a substrate and a ceramic outer layer. The ceramic outer ceramic layer is produced from a ceramic powder. The ceramic powder include a phrochlore phase according to the empirical formula AxByOz with x, y?2, z?7 and a secondary oxide CrOs with r, s>0.

Abstract: Nb—Si based alloy articles comprising a Nb—Si based alloy upon which is disposed an environmentally-resistant coating are described. They include a coating comprising at least one phase selected from the group consisting of M(Al,Si)3, M5(Al,Si)3, and M3Si5Al2, wherein M is one or more of Nb, Ti, Hf, Cr. Such coating can improve the environmental (e.g., in oxidation-promoting environments) resistance of a Nb—Si based alloy and alloy articles. Methods for preparing these articles are described as well.

Abstract: A translucent ceramic having a high linear transmittance and a high refractive index, substantially not causing double refraction, and exhibiting a high anomalous dispersion has a pyrochlore compound represented by the general formula AxByOw (wherein 1.00?x/y?1.10 and w represents a positive number maintaining electroneutrality) as a main component. The main component has a cubic crystal system. Preferably, the A site comprises a trivalent metallic element, and the B site comprises a tetravalent metallic element. More preferably, A is at least one of La, Y, Gd, Yb, and Lu, and B is of at least one of Ti, Sn, Zr, and Hf. The translucent ceramic is useful as a material of, for example, an objective lens used in an optical pickup.

Abstract: A multilayer film structure for increasing transmittance includes a transparent substrate and a multifunctional film module. The multifunctional film module is formed on a front surface of the transparent substrate and composed of a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of metal layers. The dielectric layers and the metal layers are alternately stacked onto each other, and each metal layer is formed by mixing at least two metals. Each dielectric layer is a silicon carbide compound layer that is SiC, and each metal layer is formed by mixing Ag and Cu.

Abstract: Metal parts, especially parts made from aluminium, aluminium alloys, steel and stainless steel, are described which comprise a coating containing TiOF2 or titanyl hydroxyfluorides. The coating protects against corrosion. Titanium oxyfluoride and titanyl hydroxyfluorides in the form of a gel are also disclosed, as well as particulate Ti0.85O0.55(OH)1.1F1.2 having a specific particle size.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing wear-resistant layers on materials of barrier-layer-forming metals, such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium and their alloys and mixtures, preferably aluminum or its alloys, by means of laser treatment, the material surface being exposed to a laser irradiation in the presence of an atmosphere containing oxygen in such a way that the upper or outer layer of the material surface reacts with the oxygen to form an oxide of the metal constituting the material, preferably aluminum oxide, and the layer of the material lying under that is remelted without reacting with the atmosphere containing oxygen. This results in a multilayer structure with excellent wear-resistant properties, including excellent corrosion resistance, excellent abrasion resistance and extreme hardness that does not exhibit any brittleness as a result of the hardness gradient within the layer structure.

Abstract: Porous anode bodies suitable for use in solid state capacitors, the porous anode bodies prepared by processes which include providing a niobium suboxide powder comprising niobium suboxide particles having a bulk nitrogen content of 500 to 20,000 ppm, and agglomerating and coalescing the powder; and capacitors incorporating such anode bodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated metallic material having a high total light reflectance and excellent moldability. Also disclosed is a method for producing the coated metallic material. Further disclosed is a molded coated metallic article. The coated metallic material is characterized by comprising a coating layer having at least three layers composed of a primer layer, an intercoating layer and a top layer, wherein the intercoating layer contains rutile-type titanium oxide in an amount of 35 to 70% in terms of a solid material concentration by volume and also contains a polyester resin (A) having a number average molecular weight of 19000 to 28000 as a binder resin component, and wherein the polyester resin (A) is contained in the binder at a concentration of 20 mass % or more. In the coated metallic material, an interface between the intercoating layer and the top layer has a center-line average roughness (Ra) of 0.

Abstract: Under the presence of at least one out of copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, and compounds thereof, a tetravalent titanium salt solution and a basic solution are reacted together to form a hydroxide of titanium and the above metal, and then the titanium hydroxide is peroxidated with an oxidizing agent to manufacture an aqueous liquid or dispersion having therein titanium oxide fine particles having peroxy groups; by using this alone to form a coating film adjacent to a coating film of an organic dye or pigment, or using this to form a coating film together with an organic dye or pigment, a drop in decorativeness of color due to fading or discoloration of a coating material, a printed article, a building material, a fiber, an organic polymer resin product or the like can be prevented, and moreover surface anti-soiling and hydrophilic properties can be realized.

Abstract: A transparency includes a first ply having a first visible light transmission and a second ply having a second visible light transmission, with the first visible light transmission being greater than the second visible light transmission. A solar control coating is located between the first ply and the second ply. The solar control coating has a first infrared reflective metallic layer, a second infrared reflective metallic layer and a third infrared reflective metallic layer. The first infrared reflective metallic layer is thicker than the second infrared reflective metallic layer and the second infrared reflective metallic layer is thicker than the third infrared reflective metallic layer.

Abstract: Inorganic substrates with a hydrophobic surface layer of a fluorinated material having the following structure are disclosed: where A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, and p is 1 to 20. The fluorinated material can be directly adhered to the inorganic substrate or can be indirectly adhered to the inorganic substrate through an intermediate organometallic coating.

Abstract: Soft and porous material is coated with a multilayer ceramic coating by physical vapor deposition. The coated material is suitable for use as foodware, particularly, a copper foodware article including a plain copper substrate, a base coating, and a ceramic coating. The base coating is deposited by sputtering and cathodic arc in combination, providing the good corrosion resistance and adhesion to the substrate. The ceramic coating includes a PVD nitride or carbonitride layer, providing a tarnish-free surface, good durability, and thermal stability. The coated copper foodware article has the same heat conductivity as pure copper, good corrosion resistance, high durability, excellent cooking, and ease of cleaning. A metal article having a multilayer coating and a method of making a metal article are also described.

Abstract: A tool for machining is made from a hard-metal, cermet or ceramic base material and a single-layer or multi-layer hard material coating on the base material. An additional coating of one or more metals from the group of aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, nickel, tin or base alloys of these metals is applied to the hard material coating.

Abstract: This invention relates to ceramic powders comprising a zirconia-based component, e.g., yttria-stabilized zirconia, and an (alumina+silica)-based component, e.g., mullite. The ceramic powders are useful for forming thermal shock resistant coatings having the same composition, through deposition by thermal spray devices. This invention also relates to thermal barrier coating systems suitable for protecting components exposed to high temperature environments, such as the thermal environment of a gas turbine engine. This invention further relates to forming free-standing solid ceramic articles.

Abstract: Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Abstract: A chrome-free corrosion inhibitor composition includes: titanium chloride; a stabilizer including a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and at least a compound selected from nitric acid, persulfate, nitrate, and chlorate; and a film-forming enhancer selected from monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, derivatives of saccharide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A tribosystem for radial and axial foil bearings includes a first structural component part; and a second structural component part interacting with the first part. The first and second parts are in a dry frictional unidirectional sliding contact with one another until an air film is formed. A surface of at least one of the first and second parts being exposed to the dry frictional contact contains at least partly at least one of a metallic bound (Ti,Mo)(C,N), Tin-2Cr2O2n-1 with 6?n?9 and solid solution of TiO2—Cr2O3.

Abstract: A coated cutting insert according to the present invention includes a base layer formed on a substrate and an indicating layer formed on a part of the base layer. The indicating layer is formed on a flank face, on the base layer on the entire surface or a part of a region A2 except for a specific region A1, and on a rake face, on the base layer on the entire surface or a part of a region B2 except for a specific region B1. In the region A1 and the region B1, the base layer is exposed at the surface, and has compressive residual stress in one or both of the region A1 and the region B1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating for workpieces with at least one layer, the at least one layer comprising metal components represented by AlxCr1?x wherein x is an atomic ratio meeting 0?x?0.84 and comprising non metallic components represented by O1?yZy where Z is at least one Element selected from the group N, B, C and 0?y?0.65, preferably y?0.5 characterized in that the coating comprises at least partially a cubic non gamma Cr and oxide comprising phase in such a way that the x-ray diffraction pattern shows formation of cubic phase which is not the cubic phase of CrN.

Abstract: An organometallic coating deposited from a metal alkoxide composition under conditions sufficient to form a polymeric metal oxide coating with unreacted alkoxide and hydroxyl groups is disclosed. Also disclosed are substrates coated with the organometallic coating and a method for applying the organometallic coating to a substrate.

Abstract: A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) based film is formed on a substrate. The film may be formed by sputter-depositing, so as to include both a primary dopant (e.g., Al) and a co-dopant (e.g., Ag). The benefit of using the co-dopant in depositing the TCO inclusive film may be two-fold: (a) it may prevent or reduce self-compensation of the primary dopant by a more proper positioning of the Fermi level, and/or (b) it may promote declustering of the primary dopant, thereby freeing up space in the metal sublattice and permitting more primary dopant to create electrically active centers so as to improve conductivity of the film. Accordingly, the use of the co-dopant permits the primary dopant to be more effective in enhancing conductivity of the TCO inclusive film, without significantly sacrificing visible transmission characteristics. An example TCO in certain embodiments is ZnAlOx:Ag.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cutting tool insert for turning of steel at high cutting speeds. The cutting tool insert comprises a (006) textured ?-Al2O3 coated cemented carbide grade. The cemented carbide body has about 4.5-6.5 wt-% Co and about 3-10 wt-% cubic carbide forming metals and an S-value of about 0.77-0.92 and a coercivity of about 10-20 kA/m. The ?-Al2O3 layer has a thickness ranging from about 7 to 12 ?m and is composed of columnar grains having a length/width ratio from about 2 to 12 and is deposited on an MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer having a thickness from about 4 to 12 ?m. The alumina layer is characterized by a pronounced (006) growth texture. The alumina layer is the uppermost layer and is wet-blasted having an Ra value of less than 1 ?m, giving the tool a black and shiny appearance.

Abstract: A metal material of the present invention is composed of an underlying metal and a phosphate compound-based film which is disposed on the surface of the underlying metal and has a surface part, in which the surface part of the phosphate compound-based film contains Zr.

Abstract: An interface forming method includes forming a first layer containing a first chemical element and chemisorbing on the first layer an interface layer containing at least one monolayer of the first chemical element intermixed with a second chemical element different from the first chemical element. A second layer comprising the second chemical element can be formed on the interface layer. The first layer might not substantially contain the second chemical element, the second layer might not substantially contain the first chemical element, or both. An apparatus can include a first layer containing a first chemical element, an interface layer chemisorbed on the first layer, and a second layer containing a second element on the interface layer. The interface layer can contain at least one monolayer of the first chemical element intermixed with a second chemical element different from the first chemical element.