Abstract: A group of alloys suitable for use in a high-temperature, oxidative environment, a protective coating system comprising a diffusion barrier that comprises an alloy selected from the group, an article comprising the diffusion barrier layer, and a method for protecting an article from a high-temperature oxidative environment comprising disposing the diffusion barrier layer onto a substrate are presented.

Abstract: The invention describes a temperature-stable protective coating over a metallic substrate surface (1), which coating includes at least one layer of material (4) consisting of MCrAlY, where M represents at least one of the elements selected from the group of materials consisting of Fe, Co and Ni. The invention also describes a production process for this coating.

Abstract: Titanium architectural panels (20) are provided which have recrystallized surface portions on at least the outer surface (22) thereof to give a decorative appearance to the panels (20). Surface recrystallization is obtained by subjecting the panels (20) to multiple oven heating steps (H1, H2) with intermediate cooling steps (C1, C2), wherein during each heating step (H1, H2) maximum temperature ranges (TH1, TH2) are established and maintained for predetermined periods. The intermediate cooling steps (C1, C2) involve injection of an inert cooling gas (e.g., argon) into the oven to rapidly lower the temperature to minimum temperature ranges (TL1, TL2). Preferably, the individual panels (20) are framed using molybdenum frame assembly (42), and are then suspended on a graphite and molybdenum hanger assembly (72).

Abstract: A beta-phase nickel aluminide (NiAl) overlay coating (24) and method for modifying the grain structure of the coating (24) to improve its oxidation resistance. The coating (24) is deposited by a method that produces a grain structure characterized by grain boundaries (44) exposed at the outer coating surface (36). The grain boundaries (44) may also contain precipitates (40) as a result of the alloyed chemistry of the coating (24). During or after deposition, the overlay coating (24) is caused to form new grain boundaries (34) that, though open to the outer surface (36) of the coating (24), are free of precipitates or contain fewer precipitates (40) than the as-deposited grain boundaries (44). New grain boundaries (34) are preferably produced by causing the overlay coating (24) to recrystallize during coating deposition or after deposition as a result of a surface treatment followed by heat treatment.

Abstract: A multi-layer thermal barrier coating (12) having a porous first layer of ceramic insulating material (20) and a second relatively dense layer of ceramic insulating material (22) having a plurality generally vertical gaps (26) formed therein. The porous conventional as-deposited APS microstructure of the first layer provides thermal and chemical protection for the substrate, while the gaps of the columnar-grained second layer provide thermal shock resistance for the coating. An air plasma spray process may be used to deposit both the first and the second layers of material, as well as any underlying bond coat layer. The gaps of the columnar-grained second layer do not extend into the first layer. The pores (28) of the first layer function as crack-arrestors for cracks initiating at the gaps of the second layer.

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: Disclosed-herein is a highly weather resistant colored steel plate which comprises a steel plate as a substrate, a zinc- or zinc alloy-plated layer formed on the steel plate, a layer formed on the zinc- or zinc alloy-plated layer and pretreated with chromate or non-chromate, and a highly weather resistant film formed on the chromate or non-chromate layer, wherein the highly weather resistant film includes a polyester-based primer coated onto the chromate or non-chromate layer and a polyester top coat coated onto the polyester-based primer, the top coat being produced from a mixture of a main resin obtained by reacting an oil-free polyester-modified resin and a polyisocyanate compound, a melamine resin as a crosslinking agent, and other additives.

Abstract: A nickel base single crystal compliant layer on a ceramic blade has the capability to sustain high stresses and high operating temperature. Layers of nickel and platinum bonded on a single crystal superalloy over a sputtered gold-chromium layer support the high stress levels at elevated temperature without extrusion of the soft platinum or nickel layer and without destruction of an NiO compliant surface. The compliant layers have survived stress and temperature conditions without failure to the ceramic blade and the system can be stressed/heated and unloaded/cooled repeatedly without damage to the ceramic blades. A single crystal nickel base superalloy (i.e., SC180) has high strength properties at elevated temperature. Thin layers of chromium followed by gold are e-beam evaporated on one side of a polished surface of the alloy. Pure nickel is electroplated over this e-beam gold-chromium layer. Platinum is either electroplated or plated electrolessly over the nickel layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spin-valve sensor employing one or more in-situ oxidized films as cap and/or gap layers in order to achieve an increased GMR coefficient and improved thermal stability. A fabrication method comprises depositing multilayer metallic films on a wafer in ion-beam and DC-magnetron sputtering modules of a sputtering system, and then transferring the wafer in a vacuum to an oxidation module where in-situ oxidation is conducted. When the method is used to form a cap layer, the cap layer may only be partially oxidized. A magnetic-field annealing may be subsequently conducted without the substantial occurrence of interface mixing and oxygen diffusion during the anneal process. The resulting spin-valve sensor exhibits an increased GMR coefficient, possibly due to induced specular scattering of conduction electrons and improved thermal stability mainly due to the protection of an underlying sensing layer from interface mixing and oxygen diffusion during the annealing process.

Abstract: There is proposed a high-sensitive TMR element wherein the selection of electronic state contributing to tunnel conduction is optimized. In this invention, a junction plane between a ferromagnetic layer (210) having a bcc structure and a tunnel barrier layer (310) is constituted by (211) plane or (110) plane of the ferromagnetic layer (210). The tunnel barrier layer (310) is formed of a thin aluminum oxide film which is formed through two stages, i.e. a first stage wherein an aluminum film having a thickness of 1 nm or less is formed on the surface of a magnetic metal by taking advantage of the excellent wettability of aluminum to the surface of metallic film, the resultant aluminum film being subsequently naturally oxidized or oxidized by oxygen radical; and a second stage wherein an aluminum thin film is formed directly from an aluminum flux in an oxygen atmosphere or an atmosphere of oxygen radical.

Abstract: A glass pane is provided with a multilayer system having metallic reflection and a high thermal resistance. The multilayer system comprises a dielectric base layer, a metal layer having a high reflection, made of chromium or a metal alloy containing at least 45 wt % chromium, and a nitride top layer. The dielectric base layer is composed of at least one oxide partial layer made of SnO2, ZnO and/or TiO2, close to the surface of the glass, and a nitride partial layer, close to the metal layer.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides coating systems and processes for applying a selected coating system on a metallic substrate. The coating system includes two or more coating layers. A first layer comprises a MCrAl(Y,Hf)-type coating. The MCrAl(Y,Hf) coating is overlaid with a second coating composition that includes a metallic composition different from the MCrAl(Y,Hf) coating composition and includes one or more of: a platinum, silicon containing composition; a platinum, silicon, aluminum containing composition; a platinum, silicon, chromium containing composition; an aluminum, silicon containing composition; and an aluminum, silicon, chromium containing composition; each optionally combined with one or more of chromium, hafnium, lanthanum, manganese, yttrium and mixtures of these metals. Additionally the platinum in the metallic compositions can be exchanged in whole or in part by another noble metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material, in particular for a thermal insulation layer, with increased thermal stability, a low heat conductivity and a large thermal coefficient of expansion. According to the invention, said material comprises lanthanides, in particular the elements La, Ce, Nd, Yb, Lu, Er or Tm, which preferably occur as a mixture in a Perovskite structure. Said thermal insulation layer is particularly suitable for replacing thermal insulation layers comprising yttrium stabilised zirconium oxides (YSZ) as the thermal stability thereof is given as well over 1200° C.

Abstract: A coating material for a component intended for use in a hostile thermal environment. The coating material has a cubic microstructure and consists essentially of either zirconia stabilized by dysprosia, erbia, gadolinium oxide, neodymia, samarium oxide or ytterbia, or hafnia stabilized by dysprosia, gadolinium oxide, samarium oxide, yttria or ytterbia. Up to five weight percent yttria may be added to the coating material.

Abstract: A multi-layer coating including a polymeric basecoat layer wherein the polymer of the basecoat layer is cured at subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of ion implantation using oxygen backfill and a modified surface layer formed therefrom are provided. The method of ion implantation includes the steps of placing a substrate metal in an ion implantation vacuum chamber, introducing oxygen into the ion implantation vacuum chamber and directing a beam of ions at the substrate metal. The modified surface includes a substrate metal and implanted atoms at a surface of the substrate metal. The implanted atoms are integrated with the substrate metal. The substrate metal has an implanted atom concentration of at least 5 atomic % to a depth of over 250 Å.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having first undercoating layers 40, 40′ formed directly or via substrate face undercoating layers on a substrate 40, second undercoating layers 42, 42′ directly formed on the first undercoating layers 40, 40′, magnetic films 43, 43′ formed on the second undercoating layers 42, 42′, and protective films 44, 44′ formed on the magnetic films 43, 43′. Clusters having a large amount of oxygen are dispersed on the boundary face of the first and second undercoating layers. Preferably, the first undercoating layer is made of an alloy which includes two kinds of elements in which the difference between oxide formation standard free energies &Dgr;G° of the elements at the temperature of 250° C. is large.

Abstract: A protective coating forming a thermal barrier is made on a superalloy metal substrate by forming a bonding underlayer on the substrate, the bonding underlayer being constituted by an intermetallic compound comprising at least aluminum and a metal from the platinum group, and by forming a ceramic outer layer which is anchored on a film of alumina present on the surface of the bonding underlayer. The bonding underlayer preferably has a thickness of less than 50 &mgr;m and is made by using physical vapor deposition, e.g. by cathode sputtering, to deposit a plurality of individual layers alternately of aluminum and of a metal from the platinum group, and by causing the metals in the resulting layers to react together exothermally.

Abstract: A ceramic thermal barrier coating on a substrate wherein the coating comprises primary columnar grains that extend transversely of a surface of the substrate and that include integral secondary columnar grains extending laterally therefrom relative to a respective column axis. The secondary columnar grains typically extend from the primary columnar grains at an acute angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the column axis of the primary columnar grains. The coating structure exhibits reduced thermal conductivity as compared to a conventional thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A coating material, particularly a thermal barrier coating, 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 coating material is zirconia that is stabilized with yttria and to which an oxide additive of niobia or titania is alloyed to reduce and stabilize the thermal conductivity of the coating.

Abstract: A coated steel sheet composed of a steel sheet and at least two types of coating layers formed thereon is provided with an electrodeposition painting having a superior appearance. The coated steel sheet has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra, which is defined by JIS B 0601-1994, of from about 0.7 to about 1.5 &mgr;m and a peak per inch PPI of from about 180 to about 250.

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: The subject of the invention is a glass-, ceramic- or vitroceramic-based substrate (1) provided on at least part of at least one of its faces with a coating (3) with a photocatalytic property containing at least partially crystalline titanium oxide. It also relates to the applications of such a substrate and to its method of preparation.

Abstract: The invention describes a temperature-stable protective coating over a metallic substrate surface (1), which coating includes at least one layer of material (4) consisting of MCrAlY, where M represents at least one of the elements selected from the group of materials consisting of Fe, Co and Ni. The invention also describes a production process for this coating.

Abstract: A method for producing a turbine airfoil that is coated with a beta phase, high aluminum content coating, such as substantially stoichiometric NiAl, and which has a surface finish suitable for application of a ceramic topcoat. The method involves impacting the coating with preselected particles of a preselected size so that the brittle coating is not adversely affected by chipping or breakage. The impacting produces a surface finish of 120 micro-inches or better so that a ceramic thermal barrier layer can be applied over the coating. The preferred method of improving the surface finish utilizes steel balls having a diameter of about 0.033″ and a peening intensity of no greater than about 6A.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes an insulating layer formed between electrode layers, and the electrode layers are formed on a multilayer film so as to be in contact with the sides of the insulating layer. The thickness of the electrode layers can therefore be kept thick even at front end faces and a sensing current can flow into the multilayer film always at a constant level.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC) (26) for a component (10) intended for use in a hostile environment, such as the superalloy turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The TBC (26) is formed of at least partially stabilized zirconia, preferably yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and exhibits improved strength and fracture toughness as a result of containing a dispersion of chromia precipitates or particles (32). The TBC (26) preferably consists essentially of YSZ and the chromia particles (32), which are preferably dispersed throughout the microstructure of the TBC (26), including the YSZ grains (30) and grain boundaries. The chromia particles (32) constitute at least 1 to about 10 volume percent of the TBC (26).

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 coating material, particularly a thermal barrier coating, 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 coating material is zirconia that is partially stabilized with yttria and to which lanthana, neodymia and/or tantala are alloyed to increase the impact resistance of the coating.

Abstract: A device for fixing a ceramic component in a metallic support is provided. The device includes a bush, which is produced from gray cast iron with lamellar graphite, arranged at those locations of the ceramic component where the ceramic component is fixed in the metallic support. Internal oxidation of the gray cast iron with lamellar graphite attaches the ceramic component to the bush.

Abstract: Materials including alternating magnetic layers and spacer layers for use as hard magnetic recording layers of magnetic recording media are disclosed. The spacer layers and the magnetic layers are treated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in order to form oxidized boundary layers between adjacent granular columns extending through the layers. The columnar microstructure extends through the entire thickness of the multilayer structure to thereby exchange decouple the magnetic layers as well as the spacer layers. The spacer and magnetic layers may include additives which are present in grain boundary regions throughout the layers. The presence of the additives in the grain boundary regions may facilitate diffusion and oxidization between the adjacent granular columns. In a particular embodiment, the magnetic layers comprise Co, the spacer layers comprise Pd, and the additives comprise Cr, Pt, B, Ta, Nb or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element including a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetic layer; hard bias layers for orienting the magnetic vectors of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer; and a conductive layer for supplying a sense current is provided. The hard bias layers are provided at the two sides of the free magnetic layer. The hard bias layers and the free magnetic layers are in contact with each other at least partly. Bias underlayers are provided at the bottom of the hard bias layers.

Abstract: A crystalline oxide-on-semiconductor structure and a process for constructing the structure involves a substrate of silicon, germanium or a silicon-germanium alloy and an epitaxial thin film overlying the surface of the substrate wherein the thin film consists of a first epitaxial stratum of single atomic plane layers of an alkaline earth oxide designated generally as (AO)n and a second stratum of single unit cell layers of an oxide material designated as (A′BO3)m so that the multilayer film arranged upon the substrate surface is designated (AO)n(A′BO3)m wherein n is an integer repeat of single atomic plane layers of the alkaline earth oxide AO and m is an integer repeat of single unit cell layers of the A′BO3 oxide material. Within the multilayer film, the values of n and m have been selected to provide the structure with a desired electrical structure at the substrate/thin film interface that can be optimized to control band offset and alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an article having a protective ceramic coating which reduces radiation heat transport through the ceramic coating. The protective ceramic coating includes one or more embedded reflective metallic layers for reducing the radiation heat transport. The method for forming the protective coating broadly comprises the steps of forming a ceramic coating on a substrate and embedding at least one reflective metallic layer within the ceramic coating.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer decorative and protective coating. The coating contains a polymeric basecoat layer containing (i) an epoxy urethane resin or (ii) the reaction products of a polyamine and an epoxy urethane resin. Over the polymeric basecoat layer is a vapor deposited chromium, chromium compound, refractory metal compound or refractory metal alloy compound decorative and protective layer.

Abstract: A coating material, particularly a thermal barrier coating, 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 coating material is zirconia that is stabilized with yttria and to which an oxide additive of niobia or titania is alloyed to reduce and stabilize the thermal conductivity of the coating.

Abstract: A voltage variable composite structure comprising: a first layer of metal; a second layer of low-loss dielectric material impregnated with an array of first metal vias; a third layer of a voltage variable dielectric material; a fourth layer of a patterned thin metallic film; a fifth layer of low-loss dielectric material impregnated with an array of second metal vias; and a sixth layer of metal.

Abstract: A high performance superconducting ceramic article for use in a liquid cryogen bath is provided. It includes a superconducting ceramic tape having at least one surface vulnerable to cryogenic infiltration is sealed on each vulnerable surface to a non-porous metallic laminate, which also provides the desired support structure, in substantially impervious relation by a non-porous metallic bonding agent. This results in greater protection of the superconducting ceramic tape from cryogen infiltration, and permits greater thermal cycling of the superconductor during use without causing degradation of the tape's critical current carrying capacity.

Abstract: Ligand-containing coating layers on the surface of hydroxide-bearing substrates comprising transition metal atoms selected from the group consisting of Group IVB, Group VB and Group VIB of the Periodic Chart covalently bonded to the surface hydroxyls of said substrate, wherein each transition metal atom is further covalently bonded to one or more ligands of said coating layer, thereby covalently bonding said coating layer to said substrate. Disclosed ligands include inorganic phosphates and organic phosphonates.

Abstract: An improved method for adhering a solid polymer component to a substrate is provided. An intermediate polymer adhesion promoting coating of metal oxide is applied to the substrate which enhances the adhesion of the subsequently applied solid polymer component to the substrate.

Abstract: An article protected by a protective coating includes a substrate made of a first nickel-base superalloy substrate material that is susceptible to the formation of a secondary reaction zone when overlaid by a diffusion aluminide coating or an aluminide overlay coating. A protective coating including a deposited coating at the substrate surface. The deposited coating is a second nickel-base superalloy different from the first nickel-base superalloy and which does not produce a secondary reaction zone when interdiffused with the first nickel-base superalloy. In one version, the deposited coating has a nominal composition, in weight percent, of about 3.1 percent cobalt, about 7.6 percent chromium, about 7.8 percent aluminum, about 5.45 percent tantalum, about 3.85 percent tungsten, about 1.65 percent rhenium, about 0.02 percent carbon, about 0.016 percent hafnium, about 0.015 percent boron, about 0.5 percent silicon, balance nickel and incidental impurities.

Abstract: Electrical steel sheet can be produced by baking at low temperatures and is capable of stress relief annealing and has excellent solvent resistance and has an insulating coating containing substantially no chromium components harmful to environment; the electrical steel sheet has an insulating coating comprising a resin and an inorganic colloid which is silica, alumina or alumina-containing silica.

Abstract: A method for producing an iron oxide pellet including the steps of adding water to a raw material mixture comprising iron oxide which serves as a primary component, a carbonaceous material in an amount sufficient for reducing the iron oxide, an organic binder in an amount sufficient for binding the iron oxide and the carbonaceous material, and an inorganic coagulant in an amount of not less than 0.05 mass % and less than 1 mass %; pellelizing the resultant mixture to thereby obtain a green pellet; and drying the green pellet until the moisture content is reduced to equal to or less than 1.0 mass %. The thus-produced iron oxide pellet is charged in a reducing furnace for reduction to thereby obtain a reduced iron pellet.

Abstract: A composite member includes a ceramic base and a metallic member which are bonded to each other. An active metal foil is disposed on the surface of the ceramic base and a solder material including Au or a solder material including an Au—Ag alloy is disposed on the active metal foil. The active metal foil and the solder material are heated to form a bonding layer and the metallic member is disposed on the surface of the bonding layer, and these are pressed and heated to bond the bonding layer and the metallic member through solid phase bonding. Since in this composite member the bonding layer and the metallic member are bonded by solid phase bonding, the composite members can be effectively inhibited from breakage caused by residual stress at the time of bonding and, moreover, is excellent in thermal cycle characteristics and thermal shock characteristics.

Abstract: A new class of solar selective absorption coatings are disclosed. These coatings comprise a structured metallic overlayer such that the overlayer has a sub-micron structure designed to efficiently absorb solar radiation, while retaining low thermal emissivity for infrared thermal radiation. A sol-gel layer protects the structured metallic overlayer from mechanical, thermal, and environmental degradation. Processes for producing such solar selective absorption coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetic film comprising a substantially crystalline magnetic layer and an intermediate layer alternately formed in contact with each other, wherein the magnetic layer has composition (M1&agr;1X1&bgr;1)100−&dgr;1A1&dgr;1 (&agr;1, &bgr;1, and &dgr;1 represent % by atomic weight; M1 is at least one of Fe, Co, and Ni; X1 is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, and transition metals excluding M1; and A1 is at least one of O and N), wherein: 0.1≦&bgr;1≦12 &agr;1+&bgr;1=100 0<&dgr;1≦10; the intermediate layer has composition (M2&agr;2X2&bgr;2)100−&dgr;2A2&dgr;2 (&agr;2, &bgr;2, and &dgr;2 represent % by atomic weight; M2 is at least one of Fe, Co, and Ni; X2 is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, Ge and transition metals excluding the M2; and A2 is O), wherein: 0.1≦&bgr;2≦80 &agr;2+&bgr;2=100 &dgr;1≦&dgr;2≦67.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant member has a chemical conversion treatment film with a two-layer structure formed atop a metal substrate plated with zinc or zinc alloy plating. The two-layer structure comprises a lower layer containing Cr formed on the surface of the plating and an upper layer containing SiO2.

Abstract: An article substrate is protected by a protective structure overlying a surface of the article substrate. The protective structure includes a protective coating that is formed by depositing a layer of iridium overlying the surface of the substrate, depositing a layer of aluminum overlying the layer of iridium, and heating the substrate, the layer of iridium, and the layer of aluminum to form an iridium-aluminum protective coating overlying the substrate. A ceramic thermal barrier coating may be applied over the protective coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a galvannealed steel sheet which has an oxide layer having 10 nm or larger thickness on the plateau of the coating layer flattened by temper rolling. With the use of the galvannealed steel sheet, no powdering occurs during press-forming, and stable and excellent sliding performance is attained. By selecting the area percentage of the plateau of the flattened coating layer to a range from 20 to 80%, making the coating layer single layer of &dgr;1 phase, and letting &zgr; phase exist in the &dgr;1 phase, further improved sliding performance and anti-powdering property are obtained.

Abstract: A predominantly beta-phase NiAl overlay coating for use as an environmental coating or a TBC bond coat for articles used in hostile thermal environments, such as components of a gas turbine engine. The coating contains up to about 4 atomic percent hafnium, such as in excess of 1.0 atomic percent hafnium. The coating may also contain about 2 to about 15 atomic percent chromium.