Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/40—Coatings including alternating layers following a pattern, a periodic or defined repetition
  • C23C28/42—Coatings including alternating layers following a pattern, a periodic or defined repetition characterized by the composition of the alternating layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
  • B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
  • B05D5/067—Metallic effect
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/32—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one pure metallic layer
  • C23C28/321—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one pure metallic layer with at least one metal alloy layer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/32—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one pure metallic layer
  • C23C28/322—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one pure metallic layer only coatings of metal elements only
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/34—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/34—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates
  • C23C28/341—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates with at least one carbide layer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/34—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates
  • C23C28/345—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates with at least one oxide layer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/34—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates
  • C23C28/345—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates with at least one oxide layer
  • C23C28/3455—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates with at least one oxide layer with a refractory ceramic layer, e.g. refractory metal oxide, ZrO2, rare earth oxides or a thermal barrier system comprising at least one refractory oxide layer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/30—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer
  • C23C28/34—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates
  • C23C28/347—Coatings combining at least one metallic layer and at least one inorganic non-metallic layer including at least one inorganic non-metallic material layer, e.g. metal carbide, nitride, boride, silicide layer and their mixtures, enamels, phosphates and sulphates with layers adapted for cutting tools or wear applications
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D11/00—Electrolytic coating by surface reaction, i.e. forming conversion layers
  • C25D11/02—Anodisation
  • C25D11/26—Anodisation of refractory metals or alloys based thereon
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D5/00—Electroplating characterised by the process; Pretreatment or after-treatment of workpieces
  • C25D5/48—After-treatment of electroplated surfaces
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D3/00—Electroplating: Baths therefor
  • C25D3/02—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
  • C25D3/04—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of chromium
  • C25D3/06—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of chromium from solutions of trivalent chromium

Definitions

• This invention relates to articles, particularly brass articles, having a multi-layered decorative and protective coating having the appearance or color of bronze, particularly antique bronze, thereon.
• a multi-layered coating can be applied to an article which provides a decorative appearance as well as providing wear resistance, abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance.
• This multi-layer coating includes a decorative and protective color layer of a refractory metal nitride such as a zirconium nitride or a titanium nitride. This color layer, when it is zirconium nitride, provides a brass color, and when it is titanium nitride provides a gold color.
• patent Nos. 5,922,478; 6,033,790 and 5,654,108 inter alia, describe a coating which provides an article with a decorative color, such as polished brass, provides wear resistance, abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance. It would be very advantageous if a coating could be provided which provided substantially the same properties as the coatings containing zirconium nitride or titanium nitride but instead of being brass colored or gold colored was bronze, particularly antique bronze, colored. The present invention provides such a coating.
• the present invention is directed to an article coated with a multilayer coating having a bronze color.
• the coating comprises a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride.
• the alternating layers of the color stack layer may comprise layers of carbon-rich refractory metal carbides or carbon-rich refractory metal alloy carbides alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal nitrides or nitrogen-rich refractory metal alloy nitrides.
• the present invention also is directed to an article such as a plastic, ceramic, cermet or metallic article having a decorative and protective multilayer coating deposited on at least a portion of its surface. More particularly, it is directed to an article or substrate, particularly a metallic article such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass or zinc, having deposited on its surface multiple superposed layers of certain specific types of materials.
• the coating is decorative and also provides corrosion resistance, wear resistance and abrasion resistance.
• the coating provides the appearance or color of bronze, particularly antique bronze, i.e. has a two-tone color: dark gray and dark yellow.
• an article surface having the coating thereon simulates a bronze, particularly an antique bronze surface.
• the article first has deposited on its surface one or more basecoat layers.
• a first basecoat layer deposited directly on the surface of the substrate is comprised of nickel or a polymeric material.
• the layer is nickel, it is an electroplated layer.
• the nickel may be monolithic or it may consist of two different nickel layers such as, for example, a semi-bright nickel layer deposited directly on the surface of the substrate and a bright nickel layer superimposed over the semi-bright nickel layer.
• a strike layer Disposed over the nickel layers or polymeric layer is a strike layer comprised of a refractory metal or metal alloy such as zirconium, titanium, hafnium, tantalum or zirconium-titanium alloy, preferably zirconium, titanium or zirconium-titanium alloy.
• a strengthening layer comprised of chromium.
• a protective and decorative color layer comprised of a stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal carbonitride or carbide alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal carbonitride or nitride, such as zirconium carbonitride, titanium carbonitride, tantalum carbonitride and hafnium carbonitride, and the carbonitrides of refractory metal alloys, such as a titanium-zirconium alloy.
• these alternating layers may be a carbide with no nitrogen content and a nitride with no carbon content.
• These alternating layers of the stack layer may contain a small percentage of oxygen in order to increase the dark appearance of the coating.
• the small amount of oxygen ranges from about 2 to about 15 atomic percent.
• the carbon content generally is between about 25 to about 50 atomic percent, nitrogen content between about 5 to about 35 atomic percent, and this layer has a dark gray color.
• the nitrogen content is between about 25 to about 50 atomic percent, carbon content between about 5 to about 35 atomic percent; and this layer has a dark yellow color with a slight reddish tint.
• Neither of these two layers is thick enough by itself to make the coating have its own color. However, when two or more of these layers are present, the overall color of the stack layers mimics a dark gray and dark yellow two-tone antique bronze appearance.
• a very thin layer of refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide is deposited in order to improve the corrosion and chemical resistance of the coating.
• FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view, not to scale, of a portion of the substrate having a multi-layer coating comprising a duplex nickel base coat, a refractory metal layer, a stack layer comprised of alternating layers of carbon-rich refractory carbonitride or carbide layers and nitrogen-rich refractory carbonitride or nitride layers, and a thin refractory metal oxide layer;
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except that a strengthening chromium layer is present intermediate the top basecoat layer and the refractory metal strike layer.
• the article or substrate 12 can be comprised of any material onto which a plated layer can be applied, such as plastic, e.g., ABS, polyolefin, polyvinylchloride, and phenolformaldehyde, ceramic, cermet, metal or metal alloy. In one embodiment it is comprised of a metal or metallic alloy such as copper, steel, brass, zinc, aluminum, nickel alloys and the like.
• a first layer or series of layers is applied onto the surface of the article by plating such as electroplating in the case of a nickel basecoat.
• the polymer is applied by conventional means.
• a second series of layers is applied onto the surface of the basecoat layer or layers by vapor deposition.
• the polymer or electroplated layers serve, inter alia, as a base coat which levels the surface of the article and as a corrosion barrier to improve corrosion resistance.
• a nickel layer 13 may be deposited on the surface of the article.
• the nickel layer may be any of the conventional nickels that are deposited by plating, e.g., bright nickel, semi-bright nickel, satin nickel, etc.
• the nickel layer 13 may be deposited on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate 12 by conventional and well-known electroplating processes. These processes include using a conventional electroplating bath such as, for example, a Watts bath as the plating solution.
• Such baths typically contain nickel sulfate, nickel chloride, and boric acid dissolved in water. All chloride, sulfamate and fluoroborate plating solutions can also be used. These baths can optionally include a number of well- known and conventionally used compounds such as leveling agents, brighteners, and the like.
• leveling agents such as leveling agents, brighteners, and the like.
• To produce specularly bright nickel layer at least one brightener from class I and at least one brightener from class II is added to the plating solution.
• Class I brighteners are organic compounds which contain sulfur.
• Class II brighteners are organic compounds which do not contain sulfur. Class II brighteners can also cause leveling and, when added to the plating bath without the sulfur-containing class I brighteners, result in semi-bright nickel deposits.
• class I brighteners include alkyl naphthalene and benzene sulfonic acids, the benzene and naphthalene di- and trisulfonic acids, benzene and naphthalene sulfonamides, and sulfonamides such as saccharin, vinyl and allyl sulfonamides and sulfonic acids.
• the class II brighteners generally are unsaturated organic materials such as, for example, acetylenic or ethylenic alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated acetylenic alcohols, coumarins, and aldehydes.
• the nickel layer can be comprised of a monolithic layer such as semi- bright nickel, satin nickel or bright nickel, or it can be a duplex layer containing two different nickel layers, for example, a layer comprised of semi-bright nickel and a layer comprised of bright nickel.
• the thickness of the nickel layer is generally a thickness effective to level the surface of the article and to provide improved corrosion resistance. This thickness is generally in the range of from about 2.5 ⁇ m, preferably about 4 ⁇ m, to about 90 ⁇ m.
• the substrate is subjected to acid activation by being placed in a conventional and well known acid bath.
• the nickel layer 13 is actually comprised of two different nickel layers 14 and 16.
• Layer 14 is comprised of semi-bright nickel while layer 16 is comprised of bright nickel.
• This duplex nickel deposit provides improved corrosion protection to the underlying substrate.
• the semi-bright, sulfur-free layer 14 is deposited by conventional electroplating processes directly on the surface of substrate 12.
• the substrate 12 containing the semi-bright nickel layer 14 is then placed in a bright nickel plating bath and the bright nickel layer 16 is deposited on the semi-bright nickel layer 14.
• the thickness of the semi-bright nickel layer and the bright nickel layer is a thickness at least effective to provide improved corrosion protection and/or leveling of the article surface.
• the thickness of the semi-bright nickel layer is at least about 1.25 ⁇ m (microns), preferably at least about 2.5 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least about 3.5 ⁇ m.
• the upper thickness limit is generally not critical and is governed by secondary considerations such as cost. Generally, however, a thickness of about 40 ⁇ m, preferably about 25 ⁇ m, and more preferably about 20 ⁇ m should not be exceeded.
• the bright nickel layer 16 generally has a thickness of at least about 1.2 ⁇ m, preferably at least about 3 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least about 6 ⁇ m.
• the upper thickness range of the bright nickel layer is not critical and is generally controlled by considerations such as cost. Generally, however, a thickness of about 60 ⁇ m, preferably about 50 ⁇ m, and more preferably about 40 ⁇ m should not be exceeded.
• the bright nickel layer 16 also functions as a leveling layer which tends to cover or fill in imperfections in the substrate.
• a first layer 13 comprised of a polymer is applied onto the surface of the article 12 as a basecoat layer.
• a second series of layers is applied onto the surface of the polymeric layer by vapor deposition.
• the polymeric layer serves, inter alia, as a base coat which levels the surface of the article and as a corrosion barrier to improve corrosion resistance.
• a polymeric layer 13 is deposited on the surface of the article.
• the polymeric basecoat layer 13 may be comprised of both thermoplastic and thermoset polymeric or resinous material.
• These polymeric or resinous materials include the well known, conventional and commercially available polycarbonates, epoxy urethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, nylons, polyesters, polypropylenes, polyepoxies, alkyds and styrene containing polymers such as polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and blends and copolymers thereof.
• SAN styrene-acrylonitrile
• ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
• Nylons are polyamides which can be prepared by the reaction of diamines with dicarboxylic acids.
• the diamines and dicarboxylic acids which are generally utilized in preparing nylons generally contain from two to about 12 carbon atoms.
• Nylons can also be prepared by additional polymerization. They are described in "Polyamide Resins", D.E. Floyc, Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1958, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the polyepoxies are disclosed in ⁇ poxy Resins", by H. Lee and K.
• the polyesters are polycondensation products of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and dihydric alcohol.
• the aromic dicarboxylic acids include terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and the like.
• Dihydric alcohols include the lower alkane diols with from two to about 10 carbon atoms such as, for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, and the like.
• polyesters include polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, and poly (1 ,4- cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate). They are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,645,319; 2,901 ,466 and 3,047,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• the polyacrylates and polymethacrylates are polymers or resins resulting from the polymerization of one or more acrylates such as, for example, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, etc., as well as the methacrylates such as, for instance, methyl methacrylates, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, etc.
• Copolymers of the above acrylate and methacrylate monomers are also included within the term "polyacrylates or polymethacrylates" as it appears therein.
• the polymerization of the monomeric acrylates and methacrylates to provide the polyacrylate resins useful in the practice of the invention may be accomplished by any of the well known polymerization techniques.
• the styrene-acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins and their preparation are disclosed, inter alia, in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,769,804; 2,989,517; 2,739,142; 3,991 ,136 and 4,387,179, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• the alkyd resins are disclosed in "alkyd Resin Technology", Patton, Interscience Publishers, NY, NY, 1962, and in U.S. Patent Nos.
• the polymeric basecoat layer 13 may be applied onto the surface of the substrate by any of the well known and conventional methods such as dipping, spraying, brushing and electrodeposition.
• the polymeric layer 13 functions, inter alia, to level the surface of the substrate, cover any scratches or imperfections in the surface of the article and provide a smooth and even surface for the deposition of the succeeding layers such as the vapor deposited layers.
• the polymeric basecoat layer 13 has a thickness at least effective to level out the surface of the article or substrate.
• this thickness is at least about 0.12 ⁇ m, preferably at least about 2.5 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least about 5 ⁇ m.
• the upper thickness range should not exceed about 250 ⁇ m, In some instances, depending on the substrate material and the type of polymeric basecoat, the polymeric basecoat does not adhere sufficiently to the substrate. In such a situation a primer layer is deposited on the substrate to improve the adhesion of the polymeric basecoat to the substrate.
• the primer layer can be comprised, inter alia, of haolgenated polyolefins.
• the halogenated polyolefins are conventional and well known polymers that are generally commercially available.
• the preferred halogenated polyolefins are the chlorinated and brominated polyolenfins, with the chlorinated polyolenfins being more preferred.
• the halogenated, particularly chlorinated, polyolenfins along with methods for their preparation are disclosed, inter alia, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,319,032; 5,840,783; 5,385,979; 5,198,485; 5,863,646; 5,489,650 and 4,273,894, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• the thickness of the primer layer is a thickness effective to improve the adhesion of the polymeric basecoat layer to the substrate. Generally this thickness is at least about 0.25 ⁇ m.
• the upper thickness is not critical and generally is controlled by secondary considerations such as cost and appearance. Generally an upper thickness of about 125 ⁇ m should not be exceeded.
• This additional metal layer 22 may be deposited by electroplating or vapor deposition such as physical vapor deposition.
• This additional metallic layer includes but is not limited to chromium. When layer 22 is comprised of chromium it may be deposited on basecoat layer 13 by conventional and well known chromium electroplating techniques or conventional and well known physical vapor deposition techniques.
• chrome plating baths are well known and commercially available.
• a typical chrome plating bath contains chromic acid or salts thereof, and catalyst ion such as sulfate or fluoride.
• the catalyst ions can be provided by sulfuric acid or its salts and fluosilicic acid.
• the baths may be operated at a temperature of about 112°-116°F.
• a current density of about 150 amps per square foot at about 5 to 9 volts is utilized.
• the chrome layer generally has a thickness at least sufficient to function as a strengthening layer. Generally this thickness is at least about 0.05 ⁇ m, preferably at least about 0.12 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least about 0.2 ⁇ m.
• the upper range of thickness is not critical and is determined by secondary considerations such as cost. However, the thickness of the chrome layer should generally not exceed about 1.5 ⁇ m, preferably about 1.2 ⁇ m, and more preferably about 1 ⁇ m.
• layer 22 may be comprised of chromium it may be comprised of tin-nickel alloy, palladium-nickel alloy or nickel-tungsten-boron alloy.
• the tin-nickel alloy layer may be deposited on the surface of the substrate by conventional and well known tin-nickel electroplating processes. These processes and plating baths are conventional and well known and are disclosed, inter alia, in U.S. patent Nos. 4,033,835;
• the tin-nickel alloy layer is preferably comprised of about 60-70 weight percent tin and about 30-40 weight percent nickel, more preferably about 65% tin and 35% nickel representing the atomic composition SnNi.
• the plating bath contains sufficient amounts of nickel and tin to provide a tin-nickel alloy of the afore-described composition.
• a commercially available tin-nickel plating process is the NiColloyTM process available from ATOTECH, and described in their Technical
• the thickness of the tin-nickel alloy layer 22 is generally at least about 0.25 ⁇ m, preferably at least about 0.5 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least about 1 ⁇ m.
• the upper thickness range is not critical and is generally dependent on economic considerations. Generally, a thickness of about 50 ⁇ m, preferably about 25 ⁇ m, and more preferably about 15 ⁇ m should not be exceeded.
• the nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer may be deposited by plating such as electroplating or vapor deposition such as physical vapor deposition.
• the nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer is deposited by electroplating, it is deposited by conventional and well known nickel- tungsten-boron electroplating processes.
• the plating bath is normally operated at a temperature of about 115° to 125°F and a preferred pH range of about 8.2 to about 8.6.
• the well known soluble, preferably water soluble, salts of nickel, tungsten and boron are utilized in the plating bath or solution to provide concentrations of nickel, tungsten and boron.
• the amorphous nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer generally contains at least 50, preferably at least about 55, and more preferably at least 57.5 weight percent nickel, at least about 30, preferably at least about 35, and more preferably at least 37.5 weight percent tungsten, and at least about 0.05, preferably at least about 0.5, and more preferably at least about 0.75 weight percent boron.
• the amount of nickel does not exceed about 70, preferably about 65, and more preferably about 62.5 weight percent
• the amount of tungsten does not exceed about 50, preferably about 45, and more preferably about 42.5 weight percent
• the amount of boron does not exceed about 2.5, preferably about 2, and more preferably about 1.25 weight percent.
• the plating bath contains sufficient amounts of the salts, preferably soluble salts, of nickel, tungsten and boron to provide a nickel-tungsten-boron alloy of the afore-described composition.
• a typical nickel-tungsten-boron alloy contains about 59.5 weight percent nickel, about 39.5 weight percent tungsten, and about 1% boron.
• the nickel-tungsten-boron alloy is an amorphous/nano- crystalline composite alloy. Such an alloy layer is deposited by the AMPLATE plating process marketed by Amorphous Technologies International.
• the palladium-nickel alloy layer may be deposited by plating such as electroplating or vapor deposition such as physical vapor deposition. If the palladium-nickel alloy layer is deposited by electroplating, it is deposited by conventional and well known palladium-nickel electroplating process. Generally, they include the use of palladium salts or complexes such as nickel amine sulfate, organic brighteners, and the like. Some illustrative examples of palladium/nickel electroplating processes and baths are described in U.S. patent Nos. 4,849,303; 4,463,660; 4,416,748; 4,428,820 and 4,699,697, all of which are incorporated by reference.
• the weight ratio of palladium to nickel in the palladium/nickel alloy is dependent, inter alia, on the concentration of palladium (in the form of its salt) in the plating bath. The higher the palladium salt concentration or ratio relative to the nickel salt concentration in the bath the higher the palladium ratio in the palladium/nickel alloy.
• the palladium/nickel alloy layer generally has a weight ratio of palladium to nickel of from about 50:50 to about 95:5, preferably from about 60:40 to about 90:10, and more preferably from about 70:30 to about 85:15.
• Over the strengthening layer 22 is deposited, by vapor deposition such as physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition, a protective and decorative color layer 34.
• Color layer 34 is comprised of layers 36 of a carbon-rich refractory metal carbonitride or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers 38 of nitrogen-rich refractory metal carbonitride or refractory metal alloy carbonitride, such as, for example, zirconium carbonitride, titanium carbonitride, hafnium carbonitride and tantalum carbonitride, and the carbonitrides of refractory metal alloys such as a titanium-zirconium alloy.
• These carbonitride layers may contain a small percentage of oxygen in order to increase the dark appearance of the coating. This small amount of oxygen ranges from about 2 to about 15 atomic percent.
• the carbon content in the carbon-rich zirconium carbonitride layer, the carbon content generally is between about 25 to about 50 atomic percent, nitrogen content between about 5 to about 35 atomic percent, giving this layer a dark gray color.
• the nitrogen content is between about 25 to about 50 atomic percent, carbon content between about 5 to about 35 atomic percent, giving this layer a dark yellow color with a slightly reddish tint.
• each of layers 36 and 38 is too thin, or not thick enough, to provide or form the color of the individual layer. However, layers 36 and 38 are used in conjunction with each other and, when several layers are present, form a color and provide protective stack layer 34.
• the overall color of the stack layer 34 mimics or is a dark gray and dark yellow two-tone antique bronze color.
• the number of layers 36 and 28 in stack layer 34 is generally from about 4 to about 50, preferably from about 8 to about 36.
• Each of layers 36 and 38 generally has a thickness of from about 30 A to about 200 A, preferably from about 50 A to about 150 A.
• the thickness of this color and protective stack layer 34 is a thickness which is at least effective to provide the color of bronze, particularly antique bronze, and to provide abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, and wear resistance. Generally, this thickness is at least about 1 ,000 A, preferably at least about 1 ,500 A, and more preferably at least about 2,500 A.
• the upper thickness range is generally not critical and is dependent upon secondary considerations such as cost. Generally a thickness of about 7500 A, preferably about 5000 A should not be exceeded.
• Layer 34 is deposited by conventional and well known techniques including vapor deposition techniques such as cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) or sputtering, and the like. Sputtering and CAE techniques and equipment are disclosed, inter alia, in J. Vossen and W. Kern "Thin Film Processes II", Academic Press, 1991 ; R. Boxman et al, "Handbook of Vacuum Arc Science and Technology", Noyes Pub., 1995; and U.S. patent Nos. 4,162,954 and 4,591,418, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• One method of depositing layer 34 is by physical vapor deposition utilizing reactive sputtering or reactive cathodic arc evaporation.
• Reactive cathodic arc evaporation and reactive sputtering are generally similar to ordinary sputtering and cathodic arc evaporation except that a reactive gas is introduced into the chamber which reacts with the dislodged target material.
• the cathode is comprised of zirconium and nitrogen and carbon-containing gas, such as methane or acetylene, are the reactive gases introduced into the chamber.
• the carbon gas flow is momentarily increased meanwhile nitrogen gas momentarily decreased.
• nitrogen-rich zirconium carbonitride layer 38 When the carbon-rich zirconium carbonitride layer 38 is produced, nitrogen gas flow is momentarily increased meanwhile carbon gas is momentarily decreased.
• a carbide layer 36 When a carbide layer 36 is formed, the carbon gas flow is increased and the nitrogen gas flow is shut off.
• a nitride layer 38 is formed, the nitrogen gas flow is increased and the carbon gas flow is shut off.
• additional vapor deposited layers may include a layer 32 comprised of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy.
• the refractory metals include hafnium, tantalum, zirconium and titanium.
• the refractory metal alloys include zirconium- titanium alloy, zirconium-hafnium alloy and titanium-hafnium alloy.
• the refractory metal layer or refractory metal alloy layer 32 generally functions, inter alia, as a strike layer which improves the adhesion of the color layer 34 to the top electroplated layer.
• the refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer 32 is generally disposed intermediate the color layer 34 and the top electroplated layer.
• the strike layer is disposed in the strengthening layer 22.
• Layer 32 has a thickness which is generally at least effective for layer 32 to function as a strike layer.
• this thickness is at least about 60 A, preferably at least about 120 A, and more preferably at least about 250 A.
• the upper thickness range is not critical and is generally dependent upon considerations such as cost.
• layer 32 should not be thicker than about 1.2 ⁇ m, preferably about 0.5 ⁇ m, and more preferably about 0.25 ⁇ m.
• the refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer 32 is deposited by conventional and well known vapor deposition techniques including physical vapor deposition techniques such as cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) or sputtering.
• CAE cathodic arc evaporation
• a refractory metal (such as titanium or zirconium) target which is the cathode
• the substrate are placed in a vacuum chamber.
• the air in the chamber is evacuated to produce vacuum conditions in the chamber.
• An inert gas, such as Argon is introduced into the chamber.
• the gas particles are ionized and are accelerated to the target to dislodge titanium or zirconium atoms.
• the dislodged target material is then typically deposited as a coating film on the substrate.
• cathodic arc evaporation an electric arc of typically several hundred amperes is struck on the surface of a metal cathode such as zirconium or titanium.
• the arc vaporizes the cathode material, which then condenses on the substrates forming a coating.
• the refractory metal is comprised of titanium or zirconium, preferably zirconium, and the refractory metal alloy is comprised of zirconium-titanium alloy.
• the additional vapor deposited layers may also include refractory metal compounds and refractory metal alloy compounds other than the above described carbonitrides.
• refractory metal compounds and refractory metal alloy compounds include the refractory metal oxides and refractory metal alloy oxides; the refractory metal nitrides and refractory metal alloy nitrides; reaction products of (a) refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, (b) oxygen, and (c) nitrogen; and the refractory metal oxynitrides and refractory metal alloy oxynitrides.
• a layer 40 comprised of the reaction products of a refractory metal or metal alloy, an oxygen containing gas such as oxygen, and nitrogen is deposited onto layer 34.
• the metals that may be employed in the practice of this invention are those which are capable of forming both a metal oxide and a metal nitride under suitable conditions, for example, using a reactive gas comprised of oxygen and nitrogen.
• the metals may be, for example, tantalum, hafnium, zirconium, zirconium-titanium alloy, and titanium, preferably titanium, zirconium-titanium alloy and zirconium, and more preferably zirconium.
• the reaction products of the metal or metal alloy, oxygen and nitrogen are generally comprised of the metal or metal alloy oxide, metal or metal alloy nitride and metal or metal alloy oxy-nitride.
• the reaction products of zirconium, oxygen and nitrogen comprise zirconium oxide, zirconium nitride and zirconium oxy- nitride.
• zirconium oxide, zirconium nitride and zirconium oxy- nitride These metal oxides and metal nitrides including zirconium oxide and zirconium nitride alloys and their preparation and deposition are conventional and well known, and are disclosed, inter alia, in U.S. patent No. 5,367,285, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the layer 40 can be deposited by well known and conventional vapor deposition techniques, including reactive sputtering and cathodic arc evaporation.
• layer 40 is comprised of the reaction products of a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, oxygen and nitrogen, it is comprised of refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide.
• the refractory metal oxides and refractory metal alloy oxides of which layer 40 is comprised include, but are not limited to, hafnium oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, and zirconium-titanium alloy oxide, preferably titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and zirconium-titanium alloy oxide, and more preferably zirconium oxide. These oxides and their preparation are conventional and well known.
• Layer 40 is effective in providing improved chemical, such as acid or base, resistance to the coating.
• Layer 40 containing (i) the reaction products of refractory metal or refractory metal alloy, oxygen and nitrogen, or (ii) refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide generally has a thickness at least effective to provide improved chemical resistance but is not so thick as to obscure the color of color stack layer 34. Generally this thickness is at least about 10 A, preferably at least about 25 A, and more preferably at least about 40 A.
• Layer 34 should be thin enough so that it does not obscure the color of underlying color layer 34. That is to say layer 40 should be thin enough so that it is non-opaque or substantially transparent. Generally layer 40 should not be thicker than about 0.10 ⁇ m, preferably about 250 A, and more preferably about 100 A.
• EXAMPLE I Brass faucets are placed in a conventional soak cleaner bath containing the standard and well known soaps, detergents, defloculants and the like which is maintained at a pH of 8.9-9.2 and a temperature of 180- 200°F. for about 10 minutes.
• the brass faucets are then placed in a conventional ultrasonic alkaline cleaner bath.
• the ultrasonic cleaner bath has a pH of 8.9-9.2, is maintained at a temperature of about 160-180°F., and contains the conventional and well known soaps, detergents, defloculants and the like.
• After the ultrasonic cleaning the faucets are rinsed and placed in a conventional alkaline electro cleaner bath.
• the electro cleaner bath is maintained at a temperature of about 140-
• the faucets are then rinsed twice and placed in a conventional acid activator bath.
• the acid activator bath has a pH of about 2.0-3.0, is at an ambient temperature, and contains a sodium fluoride based acid salt.
• the faucets are then rinsed twice and placed in a bright nickel plating bath for about 12 minutes.
• the bright nickel bath is generally a conventional bath which is maintained at a temperature of about 130-150°F., a pH of about 4.0, contains NiSO 4 , NiCl 2 , boric acid, and brighteners.
• a bright nickel layer of an average thickness of about 10 ⁇ m is deposited on the faucet surface.
• the bright nickel plated faucets are rinsed three times and then placed in a conventional, commercially available hexavalent chromium plating bath using conventional chromium plating equipment for about seven minutes.
• the hexavalent chromium bath is a conventional and well known bath which contains about 32 ounces/gallon of chromic acid.
• the bath also contains the conventional and well known chromium plating additives.
• the bath is maintained at a temperature of about 112 0 -116°F., and utilizes a mixed sulfate/fluoride catalyst.
• the chromic acid to sulfate ratio is about 200:1.
• a chromium layer of about 0.25 ⁇ m is deposited on the surface of the bright nickel layer.
• the faucets are thoroughly rinsed in deionized water and then dried.
• the chromium plated faucets are placed in a cathodic arc evaporation plating vessel.
• the vessel is generally a cylindrical enclosure containing a vacuum chamber which is adapted to be evacuated by means of pumps.
• a source of argon gas is connected to the chamber by an adjustable valve for varying the rate of flow of argon into the chamber.
• sources of nitrogen, methane and oxygen gases are connected to the chamber by adjustable valves for varying the flow rates of nitrogen, methane and oxygen into the chamber.
• a cylindrical cathode is mounted in the center of the chamber and connected to negative outputs of a variable D.C. power supply. The positive side of the power supply is connected to the chamber wall.
• the cathode material comprises zirconium.
• the plated faucets are mounted on spindles, 16 of which are mounted on a ring around the outside of the cathode.
• the entire ring rotates around the cathode while each spindle also rotates around its own axis, resulting in a so-called planetary motion which provides uniform exposure to the cathode for the multiple faucets mounted around each spindle.
• the ring typically rotates at several rpm, while each spindle makes several revolutions per ring revolution.
• the spindles are electrically isolated from the chamber and provided with rotatable contacts so that a bias voltage may be applied to the substrates during coating.
• the vacuum chamber is evacuated to a pressure of about 10 "5 to 10 "7 torr and heated to about 150°C.
• the electroplated faucets are then subjected to a high-bias arc plasma cleaning in which a (negative) bias voltage of about -600 volts is applied to the electroplated faucets while an arc of approximately 500 amperes is struck and sustained on the cathode.
• the duration of the cleaning is approximately five minutes.
• Argon gas is introduced at a rate sufficient to maintain a pressure of about 1 to 5 millitorr.
• a layer of zirconium having an average thickness of about 0.1 ⁇ m is deposited on the chrome plated faucets during a three minute period.
• the cathodic arc deposition process comprises applying D.C.
• argon gas into the vessel to maintain the pressure in the vessel at about 1 to 5 millitorr and rotating the faucets in a planetary fashion described above.
• a zirconium carbonitride color layer is deposited on the zirconium layer.
• Flows of nitrogen and methane are introduced into the vacuum chamber while the arc discharge continues at approximately 500 amperes.
• a small flow of oxygen amounted to 5 to 10 percent of the total gas flow, may also be introduced into the chamber.
• the flow rate of methane is momentarily increased meanwhile the flow rate of nitrogen is decreased, and thus the resulting layer contains a carbon content between 25 to 50 atomic percent and nitrogen content between 5 to 35 atomic percent.
• the flow rate of nitrogen is momentarily increased meanwhile the flow rate of methane is decreased, and the resulting layer contains the nitrogen content between 25 to 50 atomic percent and carbon content between 5 to 35 atomic percent. Neither these two layers is thick enough to make the coating bear its own color. As a result, the overall color of the stack layers mimics a dark gray and dark yellow two-tone antique bronze appearance.
• zirconium carbonitride layer is deposited, the nitrogen flow is terminated and a flow of oxygen of approximately 100 to 500 standard liters per minute is introduced for a time of about 10 to 60 seconds. A thin layer of zirconium oxide with a thickness of about 20 to 100 A is formed. The arc is extinguished, the vacuum chamber is vented and the coated articles removed.
• EXAMPLE II Other brass faucets were prepared according to the procedures of Example I except that polymeric basecoats were used instead of nickel basecoats. The initial cleaning procedures of Example I were followed. After the ultrasonic cleaning the faucets are rinsed and dried. A basecoat polymeric composition is applied onto the cleaned and dried faucets by a standard and conventional high volume low pressure gun. The polymer is comprised of 35 weight percent styrenated acrylic resin, 30 weight percent melamine formaldehyde resin, and 35 weight percent bisphenol A epoxy resin. The polymer is dissolved in sufficient solvents to provide a polymeric composition containing about 43 weight percent solids. After the basecoat is applied onto the faucets the faucets are allowed to sit for 20 minutes for ambient solvent flash off.
• the faucets are then baked at 375°F for two hours.
• the resulting cured polymeric basecoat has a thickness of about 20 ⁇ m.
• the polymeric coated faucets are rinsed three times and then placed in a conventional, commercially available hexavalent chromium plating bath using conventional chromium plating equipment according to the procedures of Example I. The remaining procedures of Example I were followed to produce coated articles having the same colored stack layer of Example I. While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that there may be various embodiments and modifications within the general scope of the invention.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Metallurgy (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=35463401

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (2)

• 2005
  • 2005-05-26 WO PCT/US2005/018581 patent/WO2005118282A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-05-26 CA CA2552357A patent/CA2552357C/en active Active
  • 2005-05-26 CN CN 200580017120 patent/CN1980749A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events