US4655884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nickel plating of refractory metals
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1985-08-19
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved method of depositing nickel on a clean refractory metal surface to form a multilayer article is disclosed, wherein the full thickness of nickel can be plated prior to the intermetallic bonding of the metals. The metal surface is cleaned and etched prior to the application of a first layer of nickel on the surface by electroplating means. After the article is rinsed, a second layer of nickel is applied to the first layer of nickel by electroplating means. The article is then heated in the absence of air to cause intermetallic bonding between nickel and the refractory metal substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Hills
- 👤 James K. Landon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:16
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/48; C25D5/50; C25D5/10; C25D5/12; C25D5/14; C25D5/34; C25D5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An improved method of depositing nickel on a clean clear refractory metal surface to form a multilayer article, comprising: (a) etching the surface; (b) rinsing the etched surface; (c) applying a first layer of nickel on the etched surface by electroplating means; (d) again rinsing the surface; (e) applying a second layer of nickel on the first layer of nickel by electroplating means; and (f) heating the article once after plating has been completed in the absence of air for a period of time sufficient to cause intermetallic bonding between nickel and the refractory metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An improved method of depositing nickel on a clean clear refractory metal surface to form a multilayer article, comprising: (a) etching the surface; (b) rinsing the etched surface; (c) applying a first layer of nickel on the etched surface by electroplating means; (d) again rinsing the surface; (e) applying a second layer of nickel on the first layer of nickel by electroplating means; and (f) heating the article once after plating has been completed in the absence of air for a period of time sufficient to cause intermetallic bonding between nickel and the refractory metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractory metal is a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising abrading the surface prior to step (a).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is etched in step (a) in an acidic solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the acidic solution comprises hydrofluoric acid and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the solution additionally comprises nitric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising rinsing and drying the surface prior to step (f).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first layer of nickel is applied on the clean refractory metal surface by applying a voltage to the article and then immersing the article in an electroplating bath to impart an electric current to the article for a time period sufficient for the nickel to cover completely the surface of the refractory metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the plating bath comprises nickel sulfate, nickel chloride and boric acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the electric current results in a current density of about 25 amperes per square foot to about 45 amperes per square foot, and wherein the time period is from about 3 minutes to about 7 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the temperature of the bath is about 45° C. to about 65° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second layer of nickel is applied on the first layer of nickel by applying a voltage to the article and then immersing the article in an electroplating bath to impart an electric current to the article for a time period sufficient to deposit nickel to a desired thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the electroplating bath is a sulfamate bath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the electroplating bath is a fluoborate bath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the electroplating bath is a chloride bath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the electric current results in a current density of about 20 amperes per square foot to about 60 amperes per square foot and wherein the time period is from about 4 hours to about 14 hours.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the temperature of the bath is about 40° C. to about 60° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the article is heated in a vacuum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the article is heated in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the inert atmosphere is argon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the inert atmosphere is helium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the article is heated at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 650° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the article is heated for about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the article is heated in a vacuum.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the article is heated in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the inert atmosphere is argon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the inert atmosphere is helium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the first layer of nickel is about 0.1 mil to about 0.2 mil.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a third layer of material on the second layer of nickel by electroplating means subsequent to step (f).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the third layer of material is a metal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the third layer of material is a synthetic polymer.
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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) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |