Abstract: The invention is directed to corrosion and wear resistant metallic coatings containing nickel and boron. The coatings are preferably deposited on catalytically active substrates from an electroless coating bath containing nickel ions, lead tungstate as a stabilizer, a metal ion complexing agent, and a borohydride reducing agent, at a pH of about 10 to about 14. With post-coating heat treatment the coated surfaces exhibit hardness levels as high as about 2200 Knoop.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure, having 1) at least one metallic feature situated on a layer of material selected from the group consisting of nonmetallic and semiconductor materials; 2) a layer of a cobalt-phosphorus alloy (Co(P)) covering at least one of the at least one metallic feature; and 3) a layer of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel and palladium covering the area covered by the Co(P) layer.

Abstract: A composition comprising an immobilized biological membrane is provided. The functional immobilized biological membrane consists of a support structure, a metal layered onto a surface of the support structure, an alkanethiol monolayer assembled onto the metal, and a biological membrane deposited on the alkanethiol monolayer. Also provided is a method of producing the immobilized biological membrane, wherein the method involves contacting an alkanethiol with a metal surface of a support structure in forming an alkanethiol monolayer assembled onto the metal, and depositing a biological membrane onto the alkanethiol monolayer such that the biological membrane becomes associated with the alkanethiol monolayer. Uses of the biological membrane include as a sensing indicator in a biosensor, as an adsorbent in a chromatography system, and as a coating for medical devices.

Abstract: The invention involves using a glow discharge plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrolessly plated nickel coatings containing 0.5 to 3.0% by weight of phosphorus and 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of boron, coatings obtained by subjecting to heat treatment electrolessly plated nickel coatings containing 0.5 to 3.0% by weight of phosphorus and 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of boron and machine parts having sliding surfaces wherein at least the sliding surfaces are coated with the coatings. The coatings can be suitably provided on base materials composed of aluminum alloys or the like, show high hardness, high impact strength (high toughness) and improved lubricating characteristics such as sliding characteristics and, in addition, can be formed at a high rate.

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.

Abstract: A zincate-treated article of an Al-Mg-Si base alloy has a zincate coating film having a Zn crystal grain size of 1.0 .mu.m or smaller on an Al-Mg-Si base alloy body having a Cu content of 0.1 to 1.5 weight %. The Zn crystal grain size is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.95 .mu.m. This zincate-treated article can be manufactured by treating an Al-Mg-Si base alloy body having a Cu content of 0.1 to 1.5 weight % in a zincating treatment bath containing 100 to 300 g/l of sodium hydroxide, 5 to 20 g/l of zinc oxide, 2 to 10 g/l of iron chloride, 5 to 20 g/l of Rochelle salt and 50 to 200 ml/l of water glass at a temperature of 20.degree. to 80.degree. C. for 5 to 60 seconds. By adjusting the Zn crystal grain size in the zincating treatment in this manner, a zincate-treated article of an Al-Mg-Si base alloy having an excellent adhesion can be acquired even in a single stage zincating treatment.

Abstract: A rocket engine component is formed as a tungsten-copper composite substrate, and a functionally-gradient material coating overlying and contacting the substrate. The functionally-gradient material coating has a composition that varies nonlinearly through a thickness of the coating so as to minimize thermal stresses through the coating, and such that the functionally-gradient material coating is tungsten adjacent to the substrate and is rhenium remote from the substrate. In a preferred form, the functionally-gradient material coating includes a tungsten sublayer overlying and contacting the substrate, a tungsten-rhenium sublayer overlying and contacting the tungsten sublayer; and a rhenium sublayer overlying and contacting the tungsten-rhenium sublayer. The functionally-gradient material coating is preferably applied by a low-temperature deposition technique such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A process for the selective variation in density of particulate matter codeposited within metallic matrices deposited onto articles utilizing increased levels of rotation of said articles during plating cycle to attain said selective codeposition density. The attainment of varying densities of codeposited particulate matter in the plated layer along the surface of the substrate is particularly useful in cost reduction and improved product performance.

Abstract: An electroless metal plating bath composition, a corresponding method for electrolessly depositing a metal onto a substrate surface, as well as the resulting, metallized substrate, are disclosed. The inventive bath composition includes water, a soluble source of the metal ions it is desired to chemically reduce at, and deposit onto, the substrate surface of interest, and a complexing agent for the metal ions. In addition, the bath composition includes a soluble source of any one or more of a select group of what are termed mediator ions, which group includes palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os) and rhodium (Rh) ions, as well as a complexing agent for the mediator ions. Moreover, the bath composition includes a chemical reducing agent, which primarily serves to chemically reduce the mediator ions at the substrate surface of interest.

Abstract: A tag or marker is disclosed which comprises a substrate; an `active` magnetic material which is a soft magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability and a low coercive force; and a deactivating material which is a hard or semi-hard magnetic material having a moderate or high coercive force and a moderate magnetic permeability, whereby the deactivating material, when subjected to a sufficiently high magnetising force, is able to clamp the magnetic properties of the `active` material so as to deactivate the `active` material. The deactivating material in the tag or marker is electrodeposited nickel with a planar crystal grain structure.

Abstract: A process for plating aluminum alloy substrates (10), such as 390 aluminum alloy pistons (12), with iron comprises (a) plating on the aluminum substrate a layer of zincate from a zincate bath; (b) plating on the zincate layer a layer (14) of nickel from an electroless nickel bath; (c) plating on the nickel layer a layer (16) of iron from an iron ammonium sulfate bath; and (d) plating on the iron layer a layer (18) of tin from an alkaline tin bath. During the electroless plating, the zincate layer, which protects the underlying aluminum against oxidation, is sacrificed. All of these baths are environmentally much safer than cyanide and chloride. They are also cost effective and can be utilized in a totally closed loop plating system.

Abstract: Method and product resulting therefrom of controlling the residual resistivity of an electrolessly deposited metal by first, calculating the mathematical relationship between the residual resistivity of the deposited metal and its rate of deposition and second, depositing said metal at a rate to produce a predetermined residual resistivity.

Abstract: A method treating a surface of rotors in a screw-type rotary fluid machine, with the method comprising the steps of: conducting a non-electrolytic Ni plating on the surface of each rotor so as to form a first layer of non-electrolytic Ni plating layer; heating the rotor having the first layer at a temperature not lower than 500.degree. C.; and forming, at least, a second layer of an organic resin so as to cover the first layer.

Abstract: A strong and light weight tubular structural member is formed of a fibrous ceramic mat-like skeletal base filled with a ceramic binder. The ceramic filled base is coated in a chemical deposition process with a thin ceramic skin which is molecularly bonded to the base and which greatly strengthens the member and increases its useful life when it is used in contact with high temperature furnace gasses. The use of such tubular members in cross-flow filter elements to separate planar ceramic filter elements and the use thereof to strengthen ceramic tube sheets in pressure type tube filters is disclosed.

Abstract: A metal target and a substrate are disposed in confronting relationship in a vacuum chamber whose interior is kept at high vacuum, and laser light is irradiated to the surface of the target to emit a high-speed evaporated material from the target. The high-speed evaporated material is then deposited on the substrate. By applying a predetermined voltage between the target and the substrate, the impact energy of the charged particles in the evaporated material on the substrate are controlled to form an amorphous metal film preferably a pure iron film.

Abstract: An electrostatic recording material comprising a conductive having on at least one side thereof an electroconductive layer and a recording layer in this order is disclosed, wherein said support is made of fabric having a weaving density of at least 30 yarns/cm and a weaving interstice of not more than 150 .mu.m. The recording material exhibits satisfactory recording characteristics and excellent durability, while having a feeling inherent to the fabric.

Abstract: A multilayer plating showing high corrosion resistance even at elevated temperatures includes a first or undercoat layer formed from cobalt, nickel or a cobalt or nickel alloy on the surface to be protected, and a second or overcoat layer formed on the first layer from zinc or a zinc alloy. The second layer may further be chromated.

Abstract: The invention discloses a coated substrate product comprised of a titanium of titanium alloy substrate, at least one thin interlayer composed of a non-reactive noble metal and a hard outer coating selected from the group comprised of a ceramic, a hard metal, a hard metal compound and a diamond-like carbon, wherein at least the non-reactive noble metal interlayer which is immediately adjacent to the titanium or titanium alloy substrate is deposited onto the substrate by means of an electroless plating procedure, and the hard outer coating is deposited onto the non-reactive interlayer(s) by means of known chemical and physical vapor deposition techniques. The invention also discloses a method for making these coated substrate products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diamond coated sintered body characterized by having a diamond film formed by a gas phase synthesis method on the surface of a sintered body obtained from a mixture of tungsten carbide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbide and nitride of silicon or boron and, if necessary, additionally at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbide, oxide, nitride, carbonitride, carbonate, boride and organic compound of at least one element selected from the group consisting of metals and rare earth elements belonging to Groups Ia, IIa, IIIa, IVa, Va, IIIb and IVb of the Mendelejeff's periodic table.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for the preparation of composite electroless coatings which comprise a metal and/or metal alloy, plus particulate matter, the latter having at least two distinct nominal sizes.

Abstract: A process for flashing a thin layer of silver on metal leadframes using no mask steps and a minimal amount of silver. An unmasked metal leadframe is placed into a cleaning bath that includes silver in solution and has no outside electrical driving force to assist plating. The leadframe is removed from the cleaning bath once a uniform silver layer having a thickness of 100 to 1000 angstroms is plated thereon. The silver layer need not be exact and, therefore, it is not critical that the period of time the leadframe remains in the cleaning bath be exact.

Abstract: A sheet member and a method for constructing the sheet member. The sheet member includes a plurality of elongated, enclosed channels formed by electrodeposition.

Abstract: An electrolytically metallized article and process therefore, the process including the steps of electrolytically depositing a metal layer onto a surface of the substrate; and structuring the metal layer to provide regularly distributed openings therein, which openings extend through to the substrate and have an interval between adjacent openings which permits, during any subsequent heat treatment of the metallized substrate, the escape of volatile and volatilizable substances included in the metal layer and the substrate during the electrolyte deposition. The interval between adjacent openings is preferably such that the structured metal layer has no continuous metal portion measured between adjacent openings which exceeds 2 mm.

Abstract: A lid or cover for a ceramic enclosure is formed of a substrate of an iron-based alloy, e.g., Kovar, alternately plated and coated with electrolytic nickel and electroless nickel, with an outer gold electroplate. The alternate electroplate and electroless nickel layers render the lid highly corrosion resistant without the need for an expensive, unrecoverable buried gold layer.

Abstract: Shielding means for electromagnetic radiation, particularly that of radio frequency, comprises a enclosure fabricated from non-conductive material and having on at least one of the interior or exterior walls a layer of copper metal. The latter has been applied by coating the surface of the wall with a suspension of particles of cuprous oxide (or like non-conductive metal derivatives capable of being reduced to conductive free metal) in a curable resinous material, at least partially curing the coating, reducing to free metal the cuprous oxide or like particles in the surface of the coating and then electrolessly plating the coating with copper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic recording medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate, a magnetic layer for data recording formed on the substrate, and a protective layer of nickel (Ni)-tungsten (W)-boron (B) ternary alloy formed on the magnetic layer. The magnetic recording medium will find use as a the external storage such as magnetic disk for computers.

Abstract: Polyalloy catalytic coating formulations are used for preparing a metallic substrate surface to enhance subsequent plating thereover of nickel, cobalt or polyalloys including nickel or cobalt. At the same time, these catalytic formulations can be rinsed subsequent to their application onto the substrate and prior to the electroless deposition thereover. Improved products such as printed wiring boards may be made with these catalytic formulations. Such boards are prepared by depositing metal and forming circuitry patterns by using resists, etching techniques and the like which typically leave copper specks on the non-conductive board.

Abstract: A surface metal layer composed mainly of gold is formed on the surface of a metallized metal layer on an insulating substrate through a first intermediate metal layer composed of a nickel/boron alloy and a second intermediate metal layer composed of a nickel/phosphorus alloy. In this surface layer, appearance of stains or occurrence of blistering is prevented, and this surface metal layer is excellent in appearance characteristics, electric characteristics and durability.

Abstract: Copper may be deposited non-electrolytically from a composition comprising copper ions, a complexor to keep the copper ions in solution, and glyoxylate ions as a reducing agent. The use of formaldehyde is therefore avoided.

Abstract: A piston ring having an improved wear resistance and antiseizure properties and good workability is disclosed. The piston ring is made of a martensite stainless steel comprising from 0.4 to 0.7 wt % C, 0.3 to 1.0 wt % Si, 0.5 to 1.0 wt % Mn, and 2.0 to 9.0 wt % Cr, the balance being iron and impurities. Additionally, a surface-treated layer having a quench and temper hardness (H.sub.R C) of 40 to 50 is formed on at least that part of the piston ring which slides against the wall of a cylinder in which reciprocates a piston on which the piston ring is mounted. Preferably, the surface-treated layer is formed by hard Cr plating.

Abstract: An electroless nickel plating method and composition is disclosed wherein a soluble acetylenic compound is included within the plating bath in small amounts effective to improve the specularity of the nickel deposit without substantially decreasing the electroless plating rate of the bath. The method and compositions of the invention are useful in producing mirror-bright electroless nickel coatings free of haze.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder, such as more particularly the master cylinder of motor vehicle hydraulic brake system or of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control system, provided with a relatively thin plated coating, autocatalytically or electrolessly deposited, of nickel phosphorous matrix containing sub-micron particles of a polyfluorocarbon resin, preferably polyfluoroethylene. The plated coating provides a good wearing surface having self-lubricating properties provided by the exposed polyfluorocarbon resin particles smearing the surface of the coating, and reducing considerably squeaking noise during operation of the master cylinder. Alternatively, or additionally, the surface of the pistons may be provided with a plated coating.

Abstract: A carbon fibre or aramid fibre fabric in a matrix of thermoset plastic is coated first with a thin layer of nickel, then with a highly conductive second layer, and on the outside once more with nickel. If the metals are deposited under wet-chemical currentless conditions, the flexible fabric will be electrically highly conductive. The composite material is particularly suitable for lightning and NEMP protection.

Abstract: Electrically conductive bodies and methods of using same are disclosed which generally incorporate the feature of wire crossing wire at multiple sites of mutual contact throughout the body with the wire interconnected at the sites by a chemical deposition of metal to yield a rigid, open metallic lattice.

Abstract: A process for the adhesive metallization of polyimide through pretreating of the polyimide and subsequent activation, as well as chemical metallization, if necessary, followed by galvanic metal deposition, characterized in that the polyimide is pretreated with an aqueous solution of alkali hydroxide and an organic nitrogen compound such as one selected from the group consisting of N,N,N', N'-tetra-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylenediamine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid. The plastics metallized according to the present invention find use as shaped parts, preferably in the fields of electrical engineering and electronics.

Abstract: Shielding means comprising a non-conductive base material having thereon a combined electrolessly-deposited metal layer of copper over lain with a second layer.

Abstract: Polymer granules having a single particle volume of 0.01 mm.sup.3 to 150 mm.sup.3 and a metal layer of 0.5 to 35% by weight, relative to polymer, can be processed by the customary methods of the plastics industry into shaped articles which have permanent antistatic properties and screen off electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Electrical contact materials are provided which belong to the general category of copper that is overplated with a noble metal, usually gold. The improvement resides in the provision of an electroless nickel deposit laid down over the copper layer and under the gold layer, which electroless nickel deposit is laid down from a particular class of nickel-boron or nickel-phosphorus baths.

Abstract: A metal article which covered with a nickel-phosphorus alloy and which is covered on its outer surface with a protective layer which comprises CrPO.sub.4, Cr(OH).sub.3 and may also comprise Cr.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 and in which no nickel is present. The layer provides an excellent corrosion protection. In a particular embodiment the layer is black, scratch-resistant in normal use, cannot be wiped off and is not sensitive to finger prints and is extremely suitable for decorative applications. The layers can be obtained electrolytically in a bath which comprises chromic acid and optionally reversed current in a given frequency range, a given range of current densities and a given range of ratios of cathodic to anodic pulse durations. In order to obtain the black layers the cathodic time duration is only a fraction of black layers the anodic time duration.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a polymer matrix containing metallized sheet-form textiles and/or metallized particles, and in addition additives for increasing the ohmic, electrical and/or magnetic losses which are uniformly present in the polymer and/or on the sheet-form textiles and/or particles, has a high shielding effect against electromagnetic radiation both in the short-range field and also in the long-range field over a wide frequency range.

Abstract: Cuprous oxide films are directly deposited by chemical reduction from an aqueous solution of a copper salt, a complexing agent and a reducing agent maintained at a critical pH of at least about 12.9.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an ultra-black surface coating, having an extremely high light absorption capacity, on a substrate, such as a metal, ceramic, glass, or plastic, the blackness being associated with a unique surface morphology consisting of a dense array of microscopic pores etched into the surface, as well as the resulting coated substrate.The ultra-black surface, which has a spectral reflectance on the order of about from 0.5 to 1.0% at wavelengths of light of about from 320 to 2140 nanometers, finds use as a solar collector in the field of solar energy.

Abstract: Electrically conductive through-holes in a substrate are prepared by (a) laminating a film based plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum to at least one surface of the substrate; (b) applying a pressure differential across the stratum covering the substrate holes, the outside pressure exceeding that inside the holes; in either order (c) removing at least one film base or (d) exposing the photosensitive stratum imagewise, (e) adhering metal or catalytic particles to hole walls and image areas, (f) optionally hardening or curing the particulate areas and (g) providing an electrically conductive printed circuit and through-holes, e.g., by plating metal electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed areas.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for composite electroless coatings comprising at least two distinct layers, the first layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy plus particulate matter and the second layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy and being substantially free of particulate matter.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for composite electroless coatings comprising at least two distinct layers, the first layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy plus particulate matter and the second layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy and being substantially free of particulate matter.

Abstract: A process, article produced therefrom, and compositions are described for the reception of electroless plating onto a non-catalytic metallic surface. The process comprises contacting the non-catalytic surface with a promoter composition containing ions selected from the group of nickel, cobalt, iron and mixtures thereof and a suitable reducing agent, and thereafter contacting the substrate with an electroless plating bath comprising hypophosphite for the metallic build-up.

Abstract: A bath for the electroless deposition of palladium boron comprises an aqueous solution of divalent palladium, ammonia or amine, and a tertiary amine borane. The bath may contain thio-organic, iminonitrile or other stabilizers. A hard palladium alloy is plated, having the composition of 1-3% amorphous borone, 1-3% crystalline PdH.sub.0.706, the remainder amorphous palladium. A strong laminate is formed when the alloy is plated on electroless nickel.

Abstract: A high-strength, coated cemented carbide product comprising a cemented carbide substrate and a fully dense alpha aluminum oxide coating on the substrate. The coating has a thickness of from 1-20 microns and is firmly and adherently bonded to the cemented carbide substrate through a thin intermediate nonmetallic layer .[.of an iron group metal aluminate.].. The coated product combines a wear resistance substantially as high as aluminum oxide cutting materials and a transverse rupture strength of at least 150,000 p.s.i. The coated product is prepared by passing water vapor, hydrogen gas and an aluminum halide over the substrate at a temperature of from 900.degree.-1250.degree. C., the ratio of water vapor to hydrogen gas being between about 0.025 and 2.0.

Abstract: A sheet member and a method for constructing the sheet member. The sheet member includes a plurality of elongated, enclosed channels formed by electrodeposition.