Abstract: A protective overlay coating for articles used in hostile thermal environments, and particularly for use as a bond coat for a thermal barrier coating deposited on the coating. The coating is predominantly beta-phase NiAl into which a platinum-group metal is incorporated, yielding a coating system capable of exhibiting improved spallation resistance as compared to prior bond coat materials containing platinum, must notably the platinum aluminide diffusion coatings. A preferred composition for the beta-phase NiAl overlay coating further contains chromium and zirconium or hafnium.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A functional film includes a transition layer having a first constituent having SiO as a dielectric material and at least one second constituent selected from aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), tungsten (W) and tantalum (Ta). The first and second constituents have corresponding gradual content gradients according to a thickness of the functional film.

Abstract: A method for improving the thermal fatigue life of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) deposited on an aluminide bond coat through a process by which the surface morphology of the aluminide bond coat is modified to eliminate or at least reduce oxidation and oxidation-induced convolutions at the alumina-bond coat interface, as explained more fully below. The bond coat is deposited to have generally columnar grains and grain boundary ridges at its surface, and is then peened at an intensity sufficient to flatten at least some of the grain boundary ridges, but insufficient to cause recrystallization of the bond coat when later heated, such as during deposition of the thermal barrier coating. In so doing, the original surface texture of the bond coat is altered to be smoother where the grain boundaries meet the bond coat surface, thereby yielding a smoother bond coat surface where the critical alumina-bond coat interface will exist following oxidation of the bond coat.

Abstract: We have discovered that the formation of particulate inclusions at the surface and the interior of an aluminum alloy article interferes with the performance of the article when a surface of the article is protected by an anodized coating. We have also discovered that the formation of such particulate inclusions can be controlled to a large extent by controlling the concentration of particular impurities present in the alloy used to fabricate the aluminum alloy article.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating material can prevent spall-off from occurring during operation at high temperatures and has a high heat insulating effect. A turbine parts and a gas turbine that are protected with the thermal barrier coating material are also provided. The thermal barrier coating material of the present invention comprises a ceramic layer 23, which is formed on a high temperature heat-resistant alloy base 21 to protect the base 21 from high temperatures, the ceramic layer 23 being applied via a bonding coat layer 22 provided as a metal bonding layer and is made of ZrO2 with Er2O3 added thereto as a stabilizing agent. The turbine parts and the gas turbine of the present invention are coated with the thermal barrier coating material on the surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises a polymeric layer on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the polymeric layer a stack layer containing layers of refractory metal or metal alloy alternating with layers containing the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content of these reaction products is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent, with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a stainless steel color. The coating comprises an electroplated layer or layers on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the electroplated layer or layers, a color layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substoichiometric oxygen content on the strike layer, and a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substantially stoichiometric oxygen content layer on said color layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises one or more electroplated layers on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the electroplated layers a stack layer containing layers of refractory metal or metal alloy alternating with layers containing the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content of these reaction products is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating having the appearance of stainless steel. The coating comprises one or more electroplated layers on the surface of said article and vapor deposited on the electroplated layers a color layer comprised of the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, nitrogen and oxygen wherein the total nitrogen and oxygen content is from about 4 to about 32 atomic percent with the nitrogen content being at least about 3 atomic percent.

Abstract: A new processed steel sheet comprising of a steel base coated with a Zn or its alloy plating layer and a converted layer, which contains both of at least an insoluble or scarcely-soluble metal compound and at least a soluble metal compound. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound may be one or more of valve metal oxides or hydroxides, and the soluble compound may be one or more of valve metal fluorides. The converted layer may be also composed of one or more of complex compounds of Mn and Ti. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound acts as a barrier for insulation of a steel base from an atmosphere, while the soluble compound exhibits a self-repairing faculty to repair defective parts of the converted layer. Due to the converted layer, the processed steel sheet is remarkably improved in corrosion resistance, without the presence of chromium compounds which would put harmful influences on the environment.

Abstract: The superplastically formed structural assembly includes first and second structural members having facing surfaces. The first and second structural members can include a first outer structural member, a second outer structural member or at least one intermediate structural member. In one embodiment, the first and second structural members include first and second outer structural members. In another embodiment, the first and second structural members include first and second intermediate structural members. The structural assembly includes at least one friction stir weld joint joining the first and second structural members. In one embodiment, the facing surface of the first structural member is at least partially covered with oxide to prevent thermo-compression welding of the first and second structural members adjacent the at least one friction stir weld joint. In another embodiment, the facing surface of the second structural member is at least partially covered with oxide.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a reactive multilayer foil is fabricated by providing an assembly (stack or multilayer) of reactive layers, inserting the assembly into a jacket, deforming the jacketed assembly to reduce its cross sectional area, flattening the jacketed assembly into a sheet, and then removing the jacket. Advantageously, the assembly is wound into a cylinder before insertion into the jacket, and the jacketed assembly is cooled to a temperature below 100° C. during deforming. The resulting multilayer foil is advantageous as a freestanding reactive foil for use in bonding, ignition or propulsion.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a very thin essentially pure interlayer material of a compatible interlayer material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the interlayer material, the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a homogeneous and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove any residual free nickel and nickel salts, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: A joined structure has high strength, which is used for manufacturing a joint made from different metal materials. In the joined structure in which the different metal materials are joined, a reaction product layer to be generated on the joined interface is set to have a thickness of 0.5 &mgr;m or less. Moreover, the reaction product layer is allowed to intermittently exist on the joined interface. Furthermore, the reaction product layer contains a base material crystal consisting of base material atoms of 90 atom % or more on the joined interface.

Abstract: An outwardly grown diffusion aluminide bondcoat is formed on a superalloy substrate and has higher concentrations of Al and Pt and lower concentrations of harmful impurities (e.g. Mo, W, Cr, Ta, S, etc.) at an outermost region of the bondcoat than at an innermost region thereof adjacent the substrate. The bondcoat is pretreated prior to deposition of a ceramic thermal insulative layer in a manner that reduces grain boundary ridges on the outermost bondcoat surface without adversely affecting the outermost region thereof, and then is heat treated to thermally grow a stable alpha alumina layer on the bondcoat prior to deposition of a ceramic layer.

Abstract: Described is an article comprising a biaxially textured metal substrate and a layer of palladium deposited on at least one major surface of the metal substrate; wherein the palladium layer has desired in-plane and out-of-plane crystallographic orientations, which allow subsequent layers that are applied on the article to also have the desired orientations.

Abstract: A method for producing a spallation-resistant aluminum oxide layer on the surface of a superalloy article is described. An aluminum oxide layer is produced, typically under tensile stress, by chemical vapor deposition at low temperatures on a metal aluminide layer that has been deposited on the surface of the article. The aluminum oxide layer is then heated to induce cracking therein, which imparts spallation-resistance thereto. If desired, a thermal barrier layer may be deposited on the aluminum oxide layer.

Abstract: To make stress corrosion cracking caused by precipitation of a &bgr; layer (Mg2Al3) in a welding part (5) or in the periphery of the welding part (5) hard to occur. An apparatus body (1) and a header (3) formed of an aluminum alloy with precipitation of magnesium suppressed by standardized heat treatment are assembled and welded, and natural gas containing mercury is subjected to heat exchanging. There are provided with backing metal (4) disposed on the back of the inner wall surface of one header (3) prior to standardized heat treatment and placed in contact with the other apparatus body (1) at the time of assembling and welding, a welding part (5) formed by being assembled and welded using first welding metal containing magnesium at percent content not less than 2.

Abstract: An iron aluminide fuel injector component such as a nozzle, plunger or other part is manufactured from iron aluminide or includes an iron aluminide coating on at least a portion of a surface in contact with the fuel which passes through the fuel injector. The iron aluminide alloy can include 8 to 32 wt. % Al, up to 5 wt. % refractory metal, B and/or C in amounts sufficient to form borides and/or carbides. The fuel injector component can be formed from powders of the iron aluminide alloy by powder metallurgy techniques and the coating can be formed by a diffusional reaction process, cathodic plasma process, chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition. The fuel injector component is corrosion, carburization, sulfidation and/or coking resistant.

Abstract: Manganese vanadium oxides are used as pigments. The mnanganese vanadium oxide pigments are of the formula Mn2V2O7. The, pigments are useful as colorants, and also possess improved reflectance characteristics in the infrared region, thereby reducing IR-induced heat buildup.

Abstract: A method for protecting high temperature stainless steel from coking and corrosion at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments, such as during ethylene production by pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or the reduction of oxide ores, by coating the stainless steel with a coating of MCrAlX in which M is nickel, cobalt, iron or a mixture thereof and X is yttrium, hafnium, zirconium, lanthanum or combination thereof deposited onto and metallurgically bonded to the stainless steel by plasma transferred arc deposition of atomized powder of MCrAlX. The coating has a thick, dense, continuous and smooth transition region providing an effective metallurgically bond of the coating with the stainless steel. The coating retains a relatively high aluminum content which permits generation of an adherent alumina layer on the surface, providing good resistance to high temperature oxidation together with good anti-coking and hot erosion resistance properties.

Abstract: The superplastically formed structural assembly includes first and second structural members having facing surfaces. The first and second structural members can include a first outer structural member, a second outer structural member or at least one intermediate structural member. In one embodiment, the first and second structural members include first and second outer structural members. In another embodiment, the first and second structural members include first and second intermediate structural members. The structural assembly includes at least one friction stir weld joint joining the first and second structural members. In one embodiment, the facing surface of the first structural member is at least partially covered with oxide to prevent thermo-compression welding of the first and second structural members adjacent the at least one friction stir weld joint. In another embodiment, the facing surface of the second structural member is at least partially covered with oxide.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic topcoat of a thermal barrier coating system is useful for high temperature corrosive applications such as hot section components in gas turbine engines. The ceramic topcoat includes at least two layers, each having generally columnar grain microstructures with different grain orientation directions. A preferred method of producing the multilayered ceramic topcoat includes positioning a superalloy substrate at a first angled orientation relative to a ceramic vapor cloud in an electron beam physical vapor deposition apparatus for a time sufficient to grow a first ceramic layer. The substrate is then reoriented to a second, different angled orientation for a time sufficient to grow a second ceramic layer. The ceramic layers exhibit columnar microstructures having respective grain orientation directions which are related to the first and second substrate orientations.

Abstract: A laminate article consists of a substrate and a biaxially textured protective layer over the substrate. The substrate can be biaxially textured and also have reduced magnetism over the magnetism of Ni. The substrate can be selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminum, silver and alloys containing any of the foregoing. The protective layer can be selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and nickel and alloys containing any of the foregoing. The protective layer is also non-oxidizable under conditions employed to deposit a desired, subsequent oxide buffer layer. Layers of YBCO, CeO2, YSZ, LaAlO3, SrTiO3, Y2O3, RE2O3, SrRuO3, LaNiO3 and La2ZrO3 can be deposited over the protective layer. A method of forming the laminate article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating system and method for forming the coating system on an article designed for use in a hostile environment, such as the superalloy turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The method employs a nitrided zone in the surface of the superalloy substrate to inhibit the formation of deleterious topologically-close packed (TCP) phases in the substrate when protected by an aluminum-rich coating and optionally a thermal insulating ceramic layer. Superalloys of particular interest are those containing significant levels of TCP phase-forming elements, such as tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, molybdenum and chromium.

Abstract: An electrostatic self-assembly method of fabricating electrostrictive and piezoelectric thin film assemblies not only provides a thinner film than is attainable by conventional methods, but provides excellent molecular-level uniformity and precise structural control, and thus large, effective piezoelectric coefficients. The method produces a thin film assembly including (a) a substrate, and (b) a film having one or a plurality of layers disposed upon the substrate, wherein at least one of the layers includes a dipolar material, and this layer of dipolar material has a uniform thickness of at most 500 nm.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact in a flash memory device utilizes a local interconnect process technique. The local interconnect process technique allows the contact to butt against or overlap a stacked gate associated with the memory cell. The contact can include tungsten. The stacked gate is covered by a barrier layer which also covers the insulative spacers.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes a substrate and a wear coating on the substrate. The wear coating includes wear-resistant particles in a matrix phase, the wear-resistant particles being formed of chrome carbide or a cobalt alloy. Methods for forming a turbine engine component are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a weldable, coated metal substrate having a pretreatment coating including a reaction product of at least one epoxy-functional material and at least one phosphorus-containing material or amine-containing material and a weldable coating having an electroconductive pigment and a binder deposited thereon.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with which it is able to individually adjust the effect of reducing the overlap capacity between a gate electrode and extensions. Specifically, a stacked structure made up of a polysilicon film (3, 9), tungsten silicide film (4, 10) and silicon nitride film (5, 11) is partially formed in first and second regions of a silicon substrate (1), respectively. Sidewall oxide films (20, 21) are formed on the side surfaces of the polysilicon films (3, 9) in the first and second regions, respectively. After removing the sidewall oxide film (20) in the first region, extensions (14) are formed in the first region. A sidewall oxide film (6) is formed on the side surface of the polysilicon film (3) in the first region, and the width of the sidewall oxide film (21) in the second region is increased to form a sidewall oxide film (12). Extensions (16) are formed in the second region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic circuit board comprising: a ceramic substrate and a metal circuit plate bonded to the ceramic substrate through a brazing material layer; wherein the brazing material layer is composed of Al—Si group brazing material and an amount of Si contained in the brazing material is 7 wt % or less. In addition, it is preferable to form a thinned portion, holes, or grooves to outer peripheral portion of the metal circuit plate. According to the above structure of the present invention, there can be provided a ceramic circuit board having both high bonding strength and high heat-cycle resistance, and capable of increasing an operating reliability as electronic device.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC) for a component intended for use in a hostile environment, such as the superalloy turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The TBC is formed to contain small amounts of alumina precipitates dispersed throughout the grain boundaries and pores of the TBC to getter oxide impurities that would otherwise allow or promote grain sintering and coarsening and pore coarsening, the consequence of which would be densification of the TBC and therefore increased thermal conductivity. If sufficiently fine, the precipitates also serve to pin the grains and pore boundaries of the TBC, the effect of which is to reduce the tendency for the microstructure of the TBC to sinter, coarsen and undergo pore redistribution, which also increase thermal conductivity of the TBC 26.

Abstract: A method for coating stainless steel in which a metallic material layer of Cr and alloys of Cr and at least one of Mo, W, Ni, Si, Ti, Zr is deposited onto a metal substrate. The metallic material layer is then annealed so as to form a diffusion layer between the metallic protective coating and the metal substrate. Thereafter, the metallic material layer may be passivated, forming a stable composition of at least one of carbides, borides, nitrides, silicides, oxides, and mixtures thereof on the metallic protective coating. The protective coatings of this invention significantly reduce the corrosion rate of stainless steel used in bromide-based absorption systems.

Abstract: A titanium aluminide turbine blade (10) includes an aerofoil (12), a platform (14) and a root (16). A protective coating (2) is applied to the aerofoil (12) and the platform (14) of the turbine blade (10). The protective coating (2) comprises austenitic stainless steel. A chromium oxide layer (22) is formed on the protective coating (2). The protective coating (20) and chromium oxide layer (22) provides oxidation and sulphidation resistance for the titanium aluminide article (10).

Abstract: A coated article is prepared by furnishing an nickel-base article substrate having a free sulfur content of more than 0 but less than about 1 part per million by weight. A protective layer is formed at a surface of the article substrate. The protective layer includes a platinum aluminide diffusion coating. The protective layer may be substantially yttrium-free, or have a controlled amount of yttrium. A ceramic layer may overlie the protective layer.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate with a zinc oxide layer, in which at least a zinc oxide layer is provided on a support substrate, wherein the zinc oxide layer comprises a zinc oxide layer having the c axis perpendicular to the support substrate and a zinc oxide layer having the c axis slantindicular to the support substrate in the order from the side of the support substrate; and a photovoltaic device in which a semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate with the zinc oxide layer. Thus provided is the inexpensive photovoltaic device with excellent reflective performance and optical confinement effect and with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for perforating a heat sensitive stencil sheet having a heat shrinkable film, the film is selectively heated with a heating device to form independent dot perforations corresponding to an image, and the heating device is controlled to ensure that the perforations satisfy the following formula (1):

Abstract: An external component of an endoscope includes an aluminum alloy base member whose surface is subjected to anodic oxidation, and thereafter, is subjected to an electrolytic deposition thereon.

Abstract: A thin film product having a nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a temporary substrate opposite the nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a final substrate attached to the nanostructured surface and a method of producing the thin film products. The thin film is particularly useful in the electronics industry for the production of integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and EMF shielding. The nanostructured surface includes surface features that are mostly smaller than one micron, while the dense portion of the thin film is between 10-1000 nm. The thin film is produced by coating a temporary substrate (such as aluminum foil) with a coating material (such as copper) using any process. One such method is concentrated heat deposition or a combustion, chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: An array of nanowires having a relatively constant diameter and techniques and apparatus for fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, a technique for melting a material under vacuum and followed by pressure injection of the molten material into the pores of a porous substrate produces continuous nanowires. In another embodiment, a technique to systematically change the channel diameter and channel packing density of an anodic alumina substrate includes the steps of anodizing an aluminum substrate with an electrolyte to provide an anodic aluminum oxide film having a pore with a wall surface composition which is different than aluminum oxide and etching the pore wall surface with an acid to affect at least one of the surface properties of the pore wall and the pore wall composition.

Abstract: Refractory metal articles having hither than normal impurity levels of concentrations of additive species near the surface that promote chemically enhanced sintering without any adverse effect on function properties, including, among others, tantalum or niobium lead wires that form assemblies useful as electrolytic capacitor anodes and the like, as made by surface oxidation of the wire, embedding a wire end in a loose mass of the powder and sintering to producing assemblies of enhanced structural integrity and affording stable electrical characteristics of electrical devices including such assemblies.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes an upper core layer and a lower core layer which are made of an Fe—M—O alloy, an Fe—M—T—O alloy or an NI—Fe—X alloy so that the upper core layer has a high saturation magnetic flux density, low coercive force and high resistivity, and the lower core layer has a lower saturation magnetic flux density than the upper core layer, low coercive force, high resistivity, and a low magnetostriction constant. Also the lower core layer is formed so that the thickness gradually decreases toward both side ends, and a gap layer can be formed on the lower core layer to have a uniform thickness. Since the lower core layer is formed by sputtering, a material having excellent soft magnetic material can be used, thereby enabling recording at high frequency.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: Wear resistant copper or a wear resistant copper base alloy having formed on the outermost surface thereof an oxide layer having a thickness of 10-1000 nm and a layer of an intermetallic compound primarily comprising Cu—Sn having a thickness of 0.1-10 &mgr;m under the oxide film layer is provided; a method of preparing the above-described wear resistant copper or copper base alloy by coating base material copper or a copper base alloy with Sn, preferably performing reflow treatment and then conducting heat treatment is provided; and an electrical part comprising the above-described wear resistant copper or copper base alloy is provided. A terminal made of the alloy according to the present invention which has an appropriate oxide film layer by performing heat treatment can greatly decrease a terminal-insertion force compared with that made of an ordinary copper base alloy which is not subjected to the heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for vapor-depositing zirconium dioxide on ceramic or metallic substrates, and the heat-insulating layers obtainable by such process.

Abstract: A diffusion-soldered joint and a method for making diffusion-soldered joints includes a particularly actively diffusing, low-melting-point intermediate layer, applied in the molten state, introduced in the form of a solder carrier between at least two joint components. The solder carrier includes a metal foil that is equipped on both sides with solder layers, wherein the solder layers may include multiple layers.

Abstract: Formulations and a process are disclosed for chemically treating a surface of a product made from magnesium alloys. One formulation comprises an acid pickle comprising hydrofluoric acid and a binary alcohol and a second formulation comprises a conversion solution comprising nitric acid, permanganate, and ammonium acid difluoride. The process comprises degreasing the product with alkaline solution, rinsing the product with water, pickling the product with the acid pickle, rinsing the product with water, modifying the product using the modifying solution, rinsing the product with purified water, and drying the product by heating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alloy coating which can be advantageously applied to members for high temperature apparatuses so as to prolong the service life of the members. The alloy coating comprises an alloy. This alloy comprises: at least one member, as a base, selected from the group consisting of Re, Ir, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W; and at least one alloying element for imparting corrosion resistance. A method for forming the alloy coating, and a member for high temperature apparatuses, to which the alloy coating has been applied, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A soldering method, which secures reliable joints without using flux, is disclosed. Soldering is performed using an auxiliary connecting material capable of physically destroying and dispersing an oxide film, which is naturally grown on the surface of a main connecting material such as solder or brazing between two terminals, to realize a reliable solder wetting (a state of the main connecting material being fused and mixed). For an auxiliary connecting material, hydrocarbon such as n-tetradecane (C14H30), for example, can be used. N-tetradecane boils between connection surfaces and cubically expands; energy generated therefrom physically disperses the oxide film and causes a fresh surface to be exposed; solders on both terminals are mixed; and an electrical and mechanical joint is securely achieved. The residue of the auxiliary connecting material is an insulating material, and therefore does not need cleaning. An excellent electrical joint which is moisture-resistant as well as highly reliable is attained.