Electroplating Patents (Class 428/935)
  • Patent number: 6376063
    Abstract: We make particulates, especially magnetic Fe—Co alloys having high magnetic permeability, of controlled dimensions, especially those having a narrow thickness size distribution centered around a median or target thickness in the range of about 0.1-1.0 &mgr;m, using electrodeposition typically on a smooth (polished) titanium cathode. Our preferred continuous process uses a rotating drum cathode inside a fixed anode to grow flakes and to produce them automatically by inherent instability in the deposited film. The drum preferably rotates about a substantially vertical axis. The particulates shed (slough off) into the electrolyte (because of mismatch between the cathode surface and the plated metal or alloy at the molecular level) where they are separated in a magnetic separator or other suitable device. If the flakes are soft iron or iron-cobalt alloys, the drum generally is titanium or titanium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Glen L. Rasmussen, Micheal E. Dickson, Robert J. Miller, Mary J. Nelson, Jonathan C. Hughes, Diane C. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 6372357
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hayakawa, Rensuke Adachi, Kunitoshi Ikeda, Masanao Abe
  • Patent number: 6372113
    Abstract: Treated copper foil produced by electrodepositing on a matte surface of a base copper foil a “corrective” copper layer having a surface roughness different from the surface roughness of the matte surface of the base foil and which has a peak count greater than the peak count of the matte surface of the base foil. In the electrodeposition there are used a unique electrolyte composition and plating conditions effective to control the micro-throwing process of the plating process so that the surface roughness of the corrective is substantially constant from one batch of base foil to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Yates Foil USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Yates, George Gaskill, Chinsai T. Cheng, Ajesh Shah, Adam M. Wolski, Paul DuFresne
  • Patent number: 6337145
    Abstract: A process for the production of sliding elements in which an overlay of lead-tin-copper is applied by electroplating to the prefabricated semi-finished product, and in which a ternary, fluoroborate-free electroplating bath is used without brighteners and with the addition of non-ionic wetting agents and free alkyl sulfonic acid. After the deposition of the galvanic overlay a heat treatment is carried out in the temperature range of 150° C. to 200° C. for between 1 and 100 hours. The multilayer material for sliding elements comprises at least a backing and an overlay of 12 to 16 wt. % tin and 7 to 11 wt. % copper, the rest being lead. The overlay comprises 15 to 25 wt. % particles of intermetallic compound Cu6Sn5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Wiesbaden GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: George Pratt
  • Patent number: 6309759
    Abstract: A sliding bearing, which comprises a lining and a bismuth or bismuth-alloy overlay having improved compatibility and fatigue resistance is provided. The overlay is characterized by the following orientation. The relative ratio of the X-ray diffraction intensity I[hkl] of the bismuth or bismuth-alloy overlay defined below satisfies the following conditions (a) and (b): (a) the relative ratio of the X-ray diffraction intensity I[hkl] of planes other than the {012} planes is from 0.2 to 5 times as high as the ratio of the X-ray diffraction intensity I[012], namely, 0.2I[012]≦I[hkl]≦5I[012] (b) the relative ratio of the X-ray diffraction intensity I[hkl] of three or more planes other than {012} planes ranges from 0.5 to 2 times as high as the ratio of the X-ray diffraction intensity I[012], namely, 0.5I[012]≦2I[012].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Tomikawa, Hirofumi Michioka, Yoshio Fuwa, Yoshio Shimura, Shigeru Hotta
  • Patent number: 6309760
    Abstract: A material for use as a bearing sliding surface and a bearing having the material are described, the material comprises tin and having therein from 1 to 5 wt % of a metal selected from the group comprising nickel, cobalt and iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: John Lyon, Fatima Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6296951
    Abstract: A laminated chromium plating layers providing improved wear resistance and fatigue strength for use in mechanical parts of an internal combustion engine. The lamination is formed on a base body and contains a plurality of high hardness chromium plating layer and a plurality of low hardness chromium plating layer, and each high hardness chromium plating layer is formed upon each low hardness chromium plating layer to provide the lamination of alternating high hardness chromium plating layer and low hardness chromium plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Tateishi, Motonobu Onoda, Katsuaki Ogawa, Kazuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20010014410
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a surface-treated copper foil capable of consistently attaining a percent loss of peel strength in resistance against hydrochloric acid degradation of 10% or less as measured on a copper pattern prepared from the copper foil and having a line width of 0.2 mm, by bringing out the maximum effect of the silane coupling agent employed in brass-plated anti-corrosive copper foil. The Another object is to impart excellent moisture resistance to the surface-treated copper foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Mitsuhashi, Takashi Kataoka, Naotomi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6274254
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises connector contacts having a metal base and a surface finish layer over the base, the surface finish layer being a composite of an electroplated precious metal composition and wear resistant particles dispersed therein. In the preferred embodiment, the precious metal layer is a PdCo alloy and the wear resistant particles are sub-micron sized lubricating particles, e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene particles and a flash coat of gold is provided over the composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Abys, Conor Anthony Dullaghan, Chonglun Fan, Brian Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 6235413
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of a large number of truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals in a slide surface, with the area rate A of said truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals being in a range of 40%≦A≦100%. A top face of each of the truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals has a plurality of flat face portions, with a step provided between adjacent ones of the flat face portions. Each of the truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is a (hhh) oriented metal crystal which has a body-centered cubic structure and whose (hhh) plane (by Miller indices) is oriented toward the slide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Dosaka, Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Takahiro Gunji, Kenji Hirose, Hiroshi Koinuma
  • Patent number: 6235405
    Abstract: There is described an electrodeposited alloy layer, in particular an overlay (2) of a plain bearing, comprising a layered alloy having at least one alloying element in addition to a base metal (3), in whose matrix containing the alloying element in a finely crystalline form inorganic particles with a diameter smaller than 2 &mgr;m are incorporated finely divided. To ensure the finely crystalline structure of the alloying element deposited in the alloy matrix, it is proposed that the inorganic particles used as nucleating agents with a diameter of 0.01 to 1 &mgr;m should have a crystal form at least substantially corresponding to the form of crystallization of the alloying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Miba Gleitlager Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Rumpf
  • Patent number: 6235412
    Abstract: A process for producing a terminal metal pad structure electrically interconnecting a package and other components. More particularly, the invention encompasses a process for producing a plurality of corrosion-resistant terminal metal pads. Each pad includes a base pad containing copper which is encapsulated within a series of successively electroplated metal encapsulating films to produce a corrosion-resistant terminal metal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tien-Jen Cheng, Ajay P. Giri, Ashwani K. Malhotra, John R. Pennacchia, Eric D. Perfecto, Roy Yu
  • Patent number: 6231742
    Abstract: In a process for the production of an electrolytic copper foil from a sulfurically acidic copper sulfate electrolytic solution, the sulfurically acidic copper sulfate electrolytic solution contains additives of 0.1 to 1.0 g/l of an oxyethylenic surfactant, 50 to 250 mg/l of a chloride, 1 to 10 mg/l of a glue or gelatin and 1 to 10 mg/l of a nitrogen-containing organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Fukuda Metal Foil & Powder Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Sano, Kazuo Miyamae, Katsunori Yamada, Hisanori Manabe
  • Patent number: 6228241
    Abstract: A process for producing anodized aluminum with enhanced electrical conductivity, comprising anodic oxidation of aluminum alloy substrate, electrolytic deposition of a small amount of metal into the pores of the anodized aluminum, and electrolytic anodic deposition of an electrically conductive oxide, including manganese dioxide, into the pores containing the metal deposit; and the product produced by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Boundary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Alwitt, Yanming Liu
  • Patent number: 6224991
    Abstract: Treated copper foil for use in the manufacture of copper-clad laminates for printed circuit boards, wherein a continuous, very thin cobalt barrier layer, which is substantially non-ferromagnetic, is electrodeposited on a copper bonding treatment electrodeposited on a bonding side of a base copper foil; and a process and electrolyte for producing such treated foil, wherein the electrolyte contains a low concentration of cobalt and certain addition agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Yates Foil USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Yates, George Gaskill, Chinsai T. Cheng, Ajesh Shah, Adam M. Wolski, Paul DuFresne
  • Patent number: 6190789
    Abstract: A slide member having a highly lubricative and highly abrasion-resistant plating layer formed on the sliding surface thereof. The plating layer contains fine particles of graphite selected from flake graphite, vein graphite and/or amorphous graphite in its metallic matrix. The plating layer has a hardness of not less than 550 in terms of Hv and is produced by using a plating solution containing naphthalene sulfanate of formalin condensate as surface active agent. The matrix is preferable to be a Ni—P type metallic matrix and the dispersed fine particles of graphite are preferable having a size of 0.1 to 20 &mgr;m and are contained by 0.1 to 10 wt % relative to the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Beppu, Eiji Hirai, Seiki Mori
  • Patent number: 6183881
    Abstract: A magnetic thin film forming method forms a magnetic thin film on a conductive film by electroplating using a plating bath containing Ni ions, Fe ions, Mo ions and an organic acid. A concentration of the organic acid in the plating bath is 3-20 times a concentration of the Mo ions in the plating bath. An organic acid concentration in the plating bath versus an Mo ion concentration of the plating bath is set to be a suitable value, whereby an Mo mixed amount in the magnetic thin film can be set to be a suitable value. Accordingly, a magnetic thin film having a large specific resistance value and good magnetic characteristics can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Sanae Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6183880
    Abstract: This invention provides a composite foil comprising an aluminum carrier layer and an ultra-thin copper foil having a protective layer disposed between them comprising a porous copper layer and an interpenetrating zinc layer. A process for producing such composite foils comprises the steps of preparing the surface of the aluminum carrier, electrodepositing a porous copper layer on the aluminum carrier layer followed by electrodepositing a zinc layer, and then electrodepositing two layers of copper to form the ultra-thin copper foil. The composite foil provides a uniform bond strength between the aluminum carrier and the protective layer which is adequate to prevent separation of the carrier and ultra-thin copper foil during handling and lamination, but which is significantly lower than the peel strength of a copper/substrate bond, so that the carrier can easily be removed after lamination of the composite foil to an insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junshi Yoshioka, Shinichi Obata, Makoto Dobashi, Takashi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6165630
    Abstract: A method for applying a zinc layer onto an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet, comprising pretreating the surface and applying the layer by electrolytic galvanizing, the pretreating comprises electrochemical graining of the surface, for example in a solution having a pH less than 3 with an alternating current applied between the sheet and an electrode. In an alternative method, the pretreating includes applying a preliminary zinc layer by immersing the surface in a zinc-containing alkaline solution, applying a potential to the sheet and reversing the polarity of said potential at least once. The sheets are useful for building cladding sheets and automotive panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Corus Bausysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Gehlhaar, Martinus Godefridus Johannes Spanjers, Joop Nicolaas Mooij, Wilhelmus Jacobus Van Der Meer
  • Patent number: 6143422
    Abstract: A material which can be improved in its resistance to corrosion caused by alcohol-containing fuels after formation without detriment to weldability and without any substantial cost increase is developed.ConstitutionA chromate film is applied to a Zn--X alloy electroplating layer, in which X is one or more of Ni: 3-18 wt %, Co: 0.02-3 wt %, Mn: 25-45 wt %, or Cr: 8-20 wt %. The Zn--Ni alloy plating layer underlying the chromate film has cracks with a density of 1000-150000 in terms of the number of plated regions surrounded by cracks in a 1 mm.times.1 mm visual field, with cracks having a maximum width of 0.5 .mu.m or less comprising 90% or more of the total number of the cracks, and with cracks having a depth of 80% or more of the thickness of the plating layer comprising 80% or more of the total number of the cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagai, Yoshihiro Kawanishi, Eiji Kajiyama, Hiroyuki Kashiwagi, Shinichi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6139977
    Abstract: A surface finish which provides improved wirebonding performance for integrated circuit packages is disclosed. The surface finish which is formed on a substrate includes a palladium layer and one or more material layers. The one or more material layers are interposed between the substrate and the palladium layer. The palladium layer has a hardness that is less than about 500 (KHN.sub.50) while at least one material layer has a hardness that is less than about 250 (KHN.sub.50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Abys, Alan Blair, Chonglun Fan
  • Patent number: 6129992
    Abstract: Provided are a high strength cold rolled steel sheet and a high strength plated steel sheet possessing improved geomagnetic shielding properties, that is, having a high relative permeability in a d.c. magnetic field around 0.3 Oe, a process for producing the same, and an explosion-proof band or an outer magnetic shielding material, for television cathode-ray tubes, using the steel sheet. An ultra low carbon steel, which has a carbon content of not more than 0.0060% and has been subjected to solid solution strengthening utilizing silicon and magnesium without relying upon precipitation strengthening, is deoxidized with silicon so that aluminum is substantially absent in the steel. Alternatively, when the ultra low carbon steel is deoxidized with aluminum, boron is added to inhibit the precipitation of AlN. Next, the deoxidized steel is finish rolled at 750 to 980.degree. C., cold rolled with a reduction ratio of 60 to 90%, and then annealed in the temperature range of 750.degree. C. to the Ac.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sakuma, Satoru Tanaka, Kazuo Koyama, Yujiro Miyauchi, Takeshi Kubota, Atsushi Itami, Hiroaki Kato, Chohachi Sato, Teruo Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6127052
    Abstract: A substrate wherein a layer comprising a principal component of nickel and a layer comprising a principal component of palladium are deposited on a glass substrate and wherein an electroconductive layer is deposited on the palladium layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tomari, Yasuyuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 6117565
    Abstract: A babbitted bearing is disclosed. The babbitted bearing includes a bearing backing and a layer of iron electroplated to the backing. A layer of babbitt material is bonded to the layer of electroplated iron. The electroplated layer provides a favorable bond between the babbitt material and the bearing backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Pioneer Motor Bearing Co.
    Inventors: Donald J. Wengler, Thomas A. Packman, Sue F. Troup-Packman
  • Patent number: 6117566
    Abstract: A lead frame material, which can be provided with an etching stop layer without requiring a troublesome process such as vapor deposition and has an excellent heat-resistance, is obtained by forming a nickel-phosphorus alloy layer (B) of 1.6 to 10 .mu.m thickness containing 0.3 to 1.0 wt % of phosphorus on a copper or copper alloy layer (A) of 35 to 300 .mu.m thickness, and forming an optional copper layer (C) of 0.2 to 30 .mu.m thickness on the nickel-phosphorus alloy layer (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: Nippon Denkai, Ltd., North Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsunori Matsumoto, Masami Noguchi, Kazuyoshi Aso
  • Patent number: 6114051
    Abstract: A method for plating a high impact resistant plastic, particularly a polycarbonate substrate which has been modified with up to about 50 percent by weight of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The surface of the plastic is first conditioned with a halogenated organic solvent conditioner, preferably 1-3-dichloro-2-propanol, prior to the electrochemical deposition of the desired metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger James Timmer, Lee Alan Chase
  • Patent number: 6071631
    Abstract: The present invention has for its object to obtain a heat-resistant and anticorrosive multilayer metal-plated steel object which excels in the uniformity of high-efficiency processability and anticorrosiveness. The steel object provided by the present invention to achieve such object comprises a steel substrate, a Ni-layer plated over the surface of the steel substrate to a thickness of 0.2-10 .mu.m, a first Zn/Ni alloy layer plated over the Ni-layer to a thickness of 1-15 .mu.m from an acid bath, such as a chloride bath or sulfuric acid bath, with the Ni-content of the first layer being in the range of 2-20% by weight and a second Zn/Ni alloy layer plated over the first Zn/Ni alloy layer to a thickness of 1-10 .mu.m from an alkaline bath, with the Ni-content thereof being in the range of 2-20% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Seiya Takahata
  • Patent number: 6036832
    Abstract: In an electroforming method for making metal products having a pattern of openings separated by dykes using a mandrel in an electroplating bath, metal from the bath is deposited on at least two electrically mutually insulated regions. Said regions comprise at least one main pattern for product dykes to be formed, which main pattern is electrically insulated from at least one ancillary pattern for a reinforcement to be formed. In the method according to the invention, first the ancillary pattern is connected to a current source in order to form reinforcement thereon and in order to effect an electrical connection between the ancillary pattern and the main pattern by means of the growing metal. During the continuation of the method, reinforcement is thickened and the product dykes are formed. A strong product having different thicknesses is therefore obtained in one step. A mandrel suitable for use in the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Stork Veco B.V.
    Inventors: Harm Gerrit Knol, Cornelis J. Kruithof, Cornelis J. M. van Rijn, Wietze Nijdam
  • Patent number: 5972522
    Abstract: A Zn or part-Zn plated steel sheet has an MgO coating free of metallic Mg thereon which increases corrosion resistance and plating adherence. The MgO coating is formed by coating according to the sol-gel method or by dipping or treating by cathodic electrolysis a Zn or part-Zn plated steel sheet in a molten salt bath mainly containing a magnesium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Gomi, Seiji Nakajima, Hisatada Nakakoji, Nobuyuki Morito
  • Patent number: 5965279
    Abstract: An electrical conductor consisting of an at least partially aluminium-based central core coated by continuous electrodeposition with at least one metal layer, including pretreatment of the surface of the core, characterized in that the following are subsequently performed successively on the core,a) an electrochemical deposition of copper in an aqueous bath maintained at a temperature of between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree.C., containing KCN, CuCN, K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and KNaC.sub.4 H.sub.4 O.sub.6 with a current intensity of between 1 and 10 A/dm.sup.2 ;b) rinsing at ambient temperature;c) an electrochemical deposition of tin in an aqueous bath maintained at a temperature of between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree. C., containing essentially tin dissolved in methanesulphonic acid and, optionally, additives, with a current intensity of between 1 and 100 A/dm.sup.2 ;d) rinsing with water at 60.degree.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Axon'Cable SA
    Inventor: Ning Yu
  • Patent number: 5958604
    Abstract: An electrolytic process for metal-coating the pre-cleaned surface of a workpiece of an electrically conducting material, which process comprises:i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode comprising the workpiece and an anode comprising the metal for metal-coating of the surface of the workpiece;ii) introducing an electrolyte into the zone created between the anode and the cathode by causing it to flow under pressure through at least one opening in the anode impinge on the cathode; andiii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode and operating in a regime in which the electrical current decreases or remains substantially constant with increase in the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode, and in a regime in which discrete gas bubbles are present on the surface of the workpiece during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitalig M. Riabkov, Valerij L. Steblianko
  • Patent number: 5952110
    Abstract: An abrasive coating suitable for forming an abrasive blade tip of a gas turbine engine. The coating is characterized as being capable of abrading a ceramic shroud at elevated temperatures during the in-service operation of the engine, and being resistant to oxidation and hot corrosion within the engine environment. The abrasive coating includes an MCrAl alloy layer, a ceramic layer overlying the alloy layer so as to form an outer surface of the abrasive coating, and abrasive particles dispersed between the alloy layer and the ceramic layer so that at least some of the abrasive particles are partially embedded in the alloy layer and also partially embedded in the ceramic layer. In addition, at least some of the abrasive particles project above the outer surface of the abrasive coating formed by the ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerry D. Schell, Howard J. Farr
  • Patent number: 5939172
    Abstract: A screen material is described which is formed by cladding, using electroplating, a structure composed of strands or fibers. The structure may incorporate a knit, woven or nonwoven material or, alternatively, of strands or fibres welded together, wound strands or fibers. The structure may be subjected to a calendering operation. The screen material, after having been provided, if required, with an electrically conductive cladding, is provided with a metal layer in an electroplating operation under conditions in which an overgrowth ratio R greater than 1 is achieved. The invention also describes a method for manufacturing such a screen material which preferably involves making use of an electroplating bath for depositing a metal cladding on a starting material in which a chemical compound is present which increases the overgrowth ratio R. The method can be implemented using a variety of conditions which can lead to an overgrowth ratio R of a desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Stork Screens B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes T. Snakenborg, Johannes Korsse
  • Patent number: 5928800
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of metal crystals. The area rate A of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals in a slide surface of the slide surface construction is in a range of A.gtoreq.40%, and the Co (cobalt) content in the aggregate is in a range of Co.gtoreq.13% by weight. The metal crystals are preferably Fe (ferrous) crystals. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the existing of a large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. In addition, the wearing of the hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is inhibited due to an increase in hardness resulting from the incorporation of Co and therefore, the oil retention is maintained. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka, Takahiro Gunji, Kenji Hirose
  • Patent number: 5916695
    Abstract: An electrical conductor has a copper base substrate coated with a tin base coating layer. To inhibit the diffusion of copper from the substrate into the coating layer and the consequential formation of a brittle tin/copper intermetallic, a barrier layer is interposed between the substrate and the coating layer. This barrier layer contains from 20% to 40%, by weight, of nickel and is preferably predominantly comprised of copper. In one embodiment, an intermetallic layer selected from the group (Cu--Ni).sub.3 Sn, (Cu--Ni).sub.6 Sn.sub.5, Cu.sub.3 Sn, Cu.sub.6 Sn.sub.5 is disposed between the barrier layer and the tin base coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Julius C. Fister, Szuchain Chen, Abid A. Khan, Dale L. Bender
  • Patent number: 5897968
    Abstract: A slide surface construction of a slide bearing is formed of an aggregate of two different metal crystals. The sliding condition of a first region of the slide bearing is more severe than that of a second region. The (2hhh) oriented metal crystals having a body-centered cubic structure with their (2hhh) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface exist in the first region. The content S.sub.2hhh of the (2hhh) oriented metal crystals is set in a range of S.sub.2hhh .gtoreq.20%. These crystals have a high hardness and are in the form of fish-like metal crystals in the slide surface and hence, an aggregate of these metal crystals has a good oil retention. The (hhh) oriented metal crystals having a body-centered cubic structure with their (hhh) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface exist in the second region. The content S.sub.hhh of the (hhh) oriented metal crystals is set in a range of S.sub.hhh .gtoreq.40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Dosaka, Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Hiroshi Koinuma
  • Patent number: 5882804
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of metal crystals on a surface of a slide member. The area rate A of pyramid-shaped metal crystals in the slide surface is in the range of A.gtoreq.40%, and the oxygen (O) content and/or the phosphorous (P) content in the aggregate is in a range of 0.gtoreq.0.2% by weight and P.gtoreq.0.04% by weight. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the presence of the large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. In addition, the wearing of the hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is inhibited by an increase in hardness caused by the oxygen contained, and therefore, the oil retention is maintained. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance. In addition to oxygen (O) and/or phosphorous (P), the elements that may be added to the aggregate include hydrogen (H), carbon (C) and boron (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka, Takahiro Gunji
  • Patent number: 5871852
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals on a surface of a slide member such as a piston, cylinder, piston ring of the like. The area rate A of hexagonal pyramid-shaped Fe crystals in the slide surface is in the range of 40%.ltoreq.A.ltoreq.100%, and the content of Ni in the aggregate is in a range of 1% by weight.ltoreq.Ni.ltoreq.40% by weight. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the presence of a large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped Fe crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. The slide surface construction exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance, because it contains nickel (Ni) or chromium (Cr) or both. Thus, the corrosion of the pyramid-shaped Fe crystals is inhibited in a corrosive sliding environment and hence, the oil retention is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka
  • Patent number: 5861218
    Abstract: A zinciferous plated steel sheet which comprises a steel sheet, at least one zinciferous plating layer formed on at least one surface of the steel sheet, and an Fe--Ni--O film as an uppermost layer formed on the zinciferous plating layer. The total quantity of metallic elements in the Fe--Ni--O film is within a range of from 10 to 1,500 mg/m.sup.2, and the oxygen content in the Fe--Ni--O film is within a range of from 0.5 to under 30 wt. %. The ratio of the iron content (g/l) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and the nickel content (g/l) in the Fe--Ni--O film is preferably within a range of from over 0 to under 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: NKK Cororation
    Inventors: Michitaka Sakurai, Akira Hiraya, Junichi Inagaki, Takayuki Urakawa, Satoshi Hashimoto, Toru Imokawa, Masaaki Yamashita, Toyofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5858517
    Abstract: An electrodeposited copper foil for use in the manufacture of a printed wiring board in which the original profile of the matte surface has been completely removed, preferably by buffing, leaving a surface having linear streaks and a roughness 1.5 .mu.m or less. The new surface is then given a nodule forming treatment which produces a surface roughness of 1.5 to 2.0 .mu.m, which may be followed by a corrosion resisting treatment. This invention further provides a method of manufacturing such an electrodeposited copper foil. Such copper foils are especially useful in making fine circuit patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Tagusari, Yutaka Hirasawa, Kazuhide Oshima
  • Patent number: 5849423
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a zinciferous plated steel sheet, comprises: forming a zinciferous plating layer on a steel sheet; and forming an Fe--Ni--O film on the zinciferous plating layer. The Fe--Ni--O film is formed by carrying out electrolysis with the steel sheet as a cathode in an aqueous solution, dipping the steel sheet in an aqueous solution, or spraying a mist on a surface of the zinciferous plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Urakawa, Toru Imokawa, Michitaka Sakurai, Jun-ichi Inagaki, Masaaki Yamashita, Shuji Nomura
  • Patent number: 5846665
    Abstract: A method for plating a high impact resistant plastic, particularly a polycarbonate substrate which has been modified with up to about 50 percent by weight of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The surface of the plastic is first conditioned with a halogenated organic solvent conditioner, preferably 1-3-dichloro-2-propanol, prior to electroless plating and the electrochemical deposition of the desired metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger James Timmer, Lee Alan Chase
  • Patent number: 5834140
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrodeposited copper foil characterised in that roughening treatment is performed on a matte side of an untreated copper foil wherein the surface roughness R.sub.z of the matte side of the untreated copper foil is the same as or less than the surface roughness R.sub.z of the shiny side of this untreated copper foil. The electrodeposited copper foil is made by electrodepositing copper onto a drum from an electrolyte which contains 0.05 to 5 ppm 3-mercapto 1-propanesulfonate; at least one organic compound selected from 0.1 to 15 ppm of a polysaccharide which is a carbohydrate such as starches, celluloses and vegetable rubbers, and 0.3 to 35 ppm of a low molecular weight glue having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and 10 to 60 ppm of a chloride ion. The copper foil may be used in making a printed circuit board or as a component of a secondary battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Circuit Foil Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam M. Wolski, Michel Streel, Akitoshi Suzuki, Hideo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5830583
    Abstract: This invention relates to copper wire having a substantially uniform unoriented grain structure that is essentially columnar grain free. This invention also relates to a process for making copper wire comprising: cutting copper foil to form at least one strand of copper wire, said copper foil being an annealable electrodeposited copper foil having a substantially uniform unoriented grain structure that is essentially columnar grain free, said foil being characterized by a fatigue ductility of at least about 25% after being annealed at 177.degree. C. for 15 minutes; and shaping said strand of wire to provide said strand with desired cross-sectional shape and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Sidney J. Clouser, Rudolf Wiechmann, Bernd Schneider, Ulrike Bohmler, R. Duane Apperson, Robert J. Fedor, Sharon K. Young, Roger N. Wright, Stephen J. Kohut, Susan S. Enos
  • Patent number: 5800930
    Abstract: There it is disclosed a chemical treatment for copper foil which imparts a dark brown to black color to the foil and improves the bond strength of the foil to a dielectric substrate without detrimentally changing the etching characteristics of the foil. The treatment includes depositing a nodular copper/nickel alloy layer on a surface of the foil. These nodules are 55% to 95% by weight copper and are electrolytically deposited using a pulse power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Szuchain Chen, Nina Yukov
  • Patent number: 5792565
    Abstract: A unique multi-layered coating process that includes coating the base metal with a layer of strike copper, a subsequent layer of bright copper, a barrier layer of palladium or related element, and a thin surface layer of a precious metal such as gold. The bright copper layer is produced by a special acid copper bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Avon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Cupolo, Robert J. Teichmann, Ramona Cardona-Grajales
  • Patent number: 5770323
    Abstract: Bearings are described having composite overlay coatings. The composite overlay coating comprises an electro co-deposited soft metallic matrix having incorporated therein from 0.05 to 2 wt % of a hard metal oxide, said material exhibiting a Vickers hardness (Hv) of from at least 300 to in excess of 600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: T & N Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charan P. S. Johal, David R. Eastham, Alan D. Pope
  • Patent number: 5733667
    Abstract: A plated nickel-titanium alloy product having a plated layer of nickel or a nickel alloy containing 5 to 15% by weight of cobalt. This product exhibits excellent surface treatability and workability, as well as shape memory effect and super-elasticity. Thus the product is most suitable for eyeglass frame components or similar ornamental articles.The product is produced by plating a layer of nickel or a nickel-cobalt alloy on the nickel-titanium alloy, dehydrogenating, cold working with not less than 10% working ratio, and subjecting to a final heat treatment between 300.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. If the final heat treatment is conducted between 750.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. for 10 to 120 seconds, a product with 4% or more super-elasticity at room temperature can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kanto Special Steel Works, Ltd., Sanyo Special Alloys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Nakasuji, Mitsuru Aiba, Masaki Takashima
  • Patent number: 5712047
    Abstract: A copper foil for a printed wiring board which has a carbon-containing copper-zinc coating comprising 40 to 90 atomic % of copper, 5 to 50 atomic % of zinc and 0.1 to 20 atomic % of carbon is produced by dipping a copper foil in a non-cyanide copper-zinc electroplating bath containing a copper salt, a zinc salt, a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or a salt thereof and a thiocyanic acid or a salt thereof, and carrying out electrolysis in the non-cyanide copper-zinc electroplating bath using the copper foil as a cathode to form on at least one surface of the copper foil a carbon-containing copper-zinc coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Denkai, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Aso, Masami Noguchi, Katsumi Kobayashi, Takeshi Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 5712049
    Abstract: A sliding element has a bearing metallic layer made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy which bears on its side facing the sliding surface a galvanically produced tin layer bonded to the bearing metallic layer by a very thin alkaline, halogen-free layer of zinc, copper, nickel and iron immersion deposited on the bearing metallic layer. To produce such sliding element, a highly-alkaline immersion bath is used containing salts of zinc, nickel, copper and iron mainly cyanide-based. After the immersion treatment, the sliding element blank is rinsed with considerably carbonic acid-free deionized water. During a first tinning step, the sliding element is treated in a bath at a temperature between 20.degree. and 26.degree. C. with a current intensity from 2 to 3 amperes/dm.sup.2 and for a duration of exposure of at least one minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Glyco-Metall-Werke Glyco B.V. & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Huhn, Klaus Muller