US4415419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing a corrosion-resistant solid lubricant coating
Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement
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Filing: 1982-06-30
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Granted: 1983-11-15
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Expires: 2002-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A corrosion-resistant surface formed of a sulfide-forming metal, in particular nickel, is first subjected to an electric plasma in an atmosphere containing hydrogen sulfide to form an adherent sulfide on said surface. The sulfided surface is then exposed to simultaneous cathodic sputtering of at least one solid lubricant which is a chalcogen compound of layer structure, in particular MoS2, and at least one hydrophobic solid polymer, in particular PTFE. The coating thus formed is a composite coating in which the particles of the chalcogen compound are coated by the polymer. When the surface of the part to be coated does not consist of a corrosion-resistant sulfide-forming metal, a layer of such a metal is first deposited by cathodic sputtering. The composite coating withstands a wet oxidizing atmosphere, contrary to a coating of MoS2 alone, and the method is applicable to any mechanical part intended to rub on other surfaces, such as a watch balance wheel staff and ball or roller bearings.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Niederhaeuser
- 👤 Michel Maillat
- 👤 Hans E. Hintermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:34
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C28/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of producing a corrosion-resistant solid lubricant coating on a corrosion-resistant surface consisting of a sulfide-forming metal, said method comprising subjecting the surface to an electric plasma in an atmosphere containing hydrogen sulfide so as to form a sulfide adhering to said surface and exposing the sulfided surface to simultaneous cathodic sputtering of at least one solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of the chalcogen compounds of layer structure and at least one hydrophobic solid polymer, so as to form a composite coating in which the particles of the chalcogen compound are protected by the hydrophobic polymer, the atmospheres in which the sulfiding and the depositing of the coating take place being devoid of free or combined oxygen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of producing a corrosion-resistant solid lubricant coating on a corrosion-resistant surface consisting of a sulfide-forming metal, said method comprising subjecting the surface to an electric plasma in an atmosphere containing hydrogen sulfide so as to form a sulfide adhering to said surface and exposing the sulfided surface to simultaneous cathodic sputtering of at least one solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of the chalcogen compounds of layer structure and at least one hydrophobic solid polymer, so as to form a composite coating in which the particles of the chalcogen compound are protected by the hydrophobic polymer, the atmospheres in which the sulfiding and the depositing of the coating take place being devoid of free or combined oxygen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfide-forming metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, copper, silver, rhodium, tungsten, palladium, silicon, hafnium, niobium, titanium, tantalum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and alloys thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfide-forming metal is ruthenium and alloys thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chalcogen compound is molybdenum sulfide.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the hydrophobic solid polymer is a fluorocarbon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the hydrophobic solid polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimides and silicones.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the chalcogen compound and the hydrophobic solid polymer to be applied by cathode sputtering are mixed in a common cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the sputtering cathode is obtained by cold compacting of a mixture of particulate chalcogen compound and the hydrophobic solid polymer, with the application of a pressure in the range of about 100 to 10,000 bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said cathode was obtained with application of pressure in the range of about 3,000 to 7,000 bars.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 4 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 1 μm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
25 words
The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the method forms a lubricating coating containing from about 1 to 80% of hydrophobic solid polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the method forms a lubricating coating containing from about 5 to 40% of hydrophobic solid polymer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the lubricating coating has a thickness equal to about 1.5 to 2 times the height of its roughness, measured between peaks and hollows.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the surface formed of a sulfide-forming metal is obtained by cathodic sputtering of the metal on a substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the cathodic sputtering of the sulfide-forming metal is effected by an alternating electric voltage of high frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said layer of sulfide-forming metal has a thickness of at least 0.1 μm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 of forming a layer of sulfide-forming metal having a thickness of from about 0.5 to 5 μm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the deposit of the sulfide-forming metal, its sulfiding and the formation of the composite coating are carried out in the same enclosure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2530002A1
Cited
US4324803A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-14 | 1987-05-16 | 1987-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-14 | 1991-05-16 | 1991-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-14 | 1995-05-16 | 1995-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |