US4093756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for electroless deposition of metals on zirconium materials
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1976-10-04
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1996-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A process for the electroless deposition of a metal layer on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy is disclosed. The article is activated in an aged aqueous solution comprising from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid. The solution is aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in the solution for at least about 10 minutes. The loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step is removed and the article is contacted with an electroless plating solution containing the metal to be deposited on the article upon sufficient contact with the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Donaghy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:27
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/18; C23C18/1803; C23C18/1824; C23C18/1837; C23C18/1844
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A process for electroless deposition of a metal film on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy comprising the steps of (a) activating the article in an aqueous activating solution consisting essentially of from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter of ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid, the solution being aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in said solution for about 10 minutes, (b) removing any loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step, and (c) contacting the article with an electroless plating solution capable of plating the activated article and containing the metal to be deposited thereon upon sufficient contact with the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process for electroless deposition of a metal film on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy comprising the steps of (a) activating the article in an aqueous activating solution consisting essentially of from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter of ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid, the solution being aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in said solution for about 10 minutes, (b) removing any loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step, and (c) contacting the article with an electroless plating solution capable of plating the activated article and containing the metal to be deposited thereon upon sufficient contact with the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the article is rinsed in water after each step of claim 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 2 in which the water is deionized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises immersing the article in water and applying ultrasonic energy on the immersed article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with an aqueous solution comprising from about 2 to about 10 percent fluoboric acid by volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with an aqueous solution comprising from about 2 to about 10 percent hydrofluosilicic acid by volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with a swab.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 7 in which the swab is comprised of an organic material wrapped on a rubber plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 8 in which the organic material is polyester.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 8 in which the organic material is nylon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 7 in which the swab is comprised of cotton.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the plated article is subsequently out-gassed under a partial vacuum by heating at a temperature in the range of about 300° to about 400° F.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the article is in the form of a long hollow cylindrical tube comprised of a zirconium alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for electroless deposition of a metal film on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy comprising the steps of (a) activating the article in an aqueous activating solution consisting essentially of from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter of ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid, the solution being aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in said solution for about 10 minutes, (b) rinsing the article in water, (c) removing any loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step, (d) rinsing the article in water, and (e) contacting the article with an electroless plating solution capable of plating the activated article and containing the metal to be deposited thereon upon sufficient contact with the article.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for electroless deposition of a metal film on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy comprising the steps of (a) activating the article in an aqueous activating solution consisting essentially of from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter of ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid, the solution being aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in said solution for about 10 minutes, (b) rinsing the article in water, (c) removing any loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step, (d) rinsing the article in water, and (e) contacting the article with an electroless plating solution capable of plating the activated article and containing the metal to be deposited thereon upon sufficient contact with the article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the article is in the form of a long hollow cylindrical tube comprised of a zirconium alloy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises immersing the article in water and applying ultrasonic energy on the immersed article.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with an aqueous solution comprising from about 2 to about 10 percent fluoboric acid by volume.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with an aqueous solution comprising from about 2 to about 10 percent hydrofluosilicic acid by volume.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the step of removing the loosely adhering film comprises contacting the article with a swab.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |