US4131530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sputtered chromium-alloy coating for plastic
Assignee: Airco Inc
•
Filing: 1977-07-05
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Granted: 1978-12-26
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Expires: 1997-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A sputtering method and target for depositing a crack-resistant metal coating on plastic is described. The target consists essentially of Cr, 5 to 30% Fe and 0 to 5% scavenger elements. Al, Ce, La, Ti and Zr, among others, are preferred scavengers. ABS plastic is a preferred substrate. The coated articles have the appearance of bright chromium metal, and are useful as automotive trim.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Blum
- 👤 Richard A. Lucariello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:27
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/14; C23C14/20; C23C14/205; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31692; Y10T428/31696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
An article comprising a plastic base and a crack-resistant metal coating deposited by sputtering a target consisting essentially of 5 to 30% by weight iron, 0 to 5% by weight of scavenger elements, balance chromium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article comprising a plastic base and a crack-resistant metal coating deposited by sputtering a target consisting essentially of 5 to 30% by weight iron, 0 to 5% by weight of scavenger elements, balance chromium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article according to claim 1 wherein the scavenger elements are selected from the group consisting of Al, B, Be, Ce, Hf, La, Nb, Nd, Si, Ta, Th, Ti, U, Y and Zr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article according to claim 2 wherein the target contains 10 to 23% iron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article according to claim 3 wherein the target contains 0.5 to 3% scavenger elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article according to claim 4 wherein the base is a plastic material covered with an organic base coat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article according to claim 5 wherein the plastic material is ABS plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article according to claim 6 wherein the thickness of the sputtered coating is in the range 40 to 140 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article according to claim 7 wherein the article further comprises a topcoat for protecting the metal coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article according to claim 8 wherein the target contains about 20% iron, 0.4 to 2% Ti, and 0.1 to 0.4% Zr.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of depositing a crack-resistant metal coating onto a plastic substrate comprising: placing the substrate in a chamber containing a sputtering gas; and sputtering a target consisting essentially of 5 to 30% by weight iron, 0 to 5% by weight of scavenger elements, balance chromium to deposit a coating on the substrate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of depositing a crack-resistant metal coating onto a plastic substrate comprising: placing the substrate in a chamber containing a sputtering gas; and sputtering a target consisting essentially of 5 to 30% by weight iron, 0 to 5% by weight of scavenger elements, balance chromium to deposit a coating on the substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 10 further comprising magnetically confining a glow discharge plasma adjacent the sputtered surface of the target.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the sputtering gas pressure is 1 to 5 mT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 12 further comprising heating the substrate just prior to placing the substrates in the chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the coating is deposited on the substrate at a rate greater than 300 nm/min.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the plasma is confined to a closed loop adjacent a substantially planar target by a planar magnetron sputtering source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the target contains 10 to 23% iron.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the target contains 0.5 to 3% scavenger elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein the target contains about 20% iron, 0.4 to 2% Ti, and 0.1 to 0.4% Zr.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |