Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for imparting erosion-resistance to a metallic substrate without an attendant loss in the fatigue life of the substrate which comprises applying to the substrate a first ductile layer having a thickness between about 0.1 and 1.5 mils comprising palladium, or platinum in direct contact with the substrate and then applying at substantially low temperatures within the range of about 200° C. to about 700° C. second and third layers which overcoat the first layer, the second layer having a thickness between about 0.5 and 1.5 mils and being comprised of substantially pure tungsten; the third layer having a thickness between about 0.2 and 3 mils and being comprised of a material formed of a tungsten-carbon alloy or a material formed of a tungsten matrix having dispersed tungsten-carbon phases therein, the first layer capable of retaining substrate integrity and preventing diffusion of material from the third layer into the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for imparting erosion-resistance to a metallic substrate without an attendant loss in the fatigue life of the substrate which comprises applying to the substrate a first ductile layer having a thickness between about 0.1 and 1.5 mils comprising palladium, or platinum in direct contact with the substrate and then applying at substantially low temperatures within the range of about 200° C. to about 700° C. second and third layers which overcoat the first layer, the second layer having a thickness between about 0.5 and 1.5 mils and being comprised of substantially pure tungsten; the third layer having a thickness between about 0.2 and 3 mils and being comprised of a material formed of a tungsten-carbon alloy or a material formed of a tungsten matrix having dispersed tungsten-carbon phases therein, the first layer capable of retaining substrate integrity and preventing diffusion of material from the third layer into the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second and third layers are deposited at temperatures of from about 200° C. to about 550° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein low temperature deposition of said second and third layers is achieved by CVD/CNTD, sputtering, physical vapor deposition or electroless plating processes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer is deposited upon said substrate by an electroplating, sputtering or ion-plating process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the concentration of said carbon in the third layer is greatest towards the top surface of said third layer and decreases toward the bonding surface between said second and third layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a stainless steel or titanium alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first ductile layer has a thickness between about 0.2 and 0.8 mil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said first ductile layer has a thickness between about 0.2 and 0.3 mil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second layer has a thickness between about 0.2 and 1.2 mils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said second layer has a thickness between about 0.5 and 0.8 mil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said third layer has a thickness between about 0.3 and 2.0 mils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said third layer has a thickness between about 0.5 and 1.0 mil.