Xtalic Corporation

Apple Inc.

Veloxint Corporation

Alan C Lund

Christopher Allan Schuh

John P Cahalen

Nazila Dadvand

Shiyun Ruan

Evgeniya Freydina

Jonathan C Trenkle

Daniel J Montville

James A Curran

James A Wright

Joshua Garth Abbott

Jason Reese

Robert Daniel Hilty

Lisa J Chan

John Hunter Martin

Witold Paw

John D'Urso

Anne L Testoni

Peteris Griffiths

John Cahalen

Kathy Bui

Samuel R Cross

Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. In some cases, the coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity. The articles may be coated, for example, using an electrodeposition process.

Coated articles

Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for using nanocrystalline metal alloy particles or powders to create nanocrystalline and/or microcrystalline metal alloy articles using additive manufacturing. In some embodiments, a manufacturing method for creating articles includes disposing a plurality of nanocrystalline particles and selectively binding the particles together to form the article. In some embodiments, the nanocrystalline particles can be sintered to bind the particles together. In some embodiments, the plurality of nanocrystalline particles can be disposed on a substrate and sintered to form the article. The substrate can be a base or a prior layer of bound particles. In some embodiments, the nanocrystalline particles can be selectively bound together (e.g., sintered) at substantially the same time as they are disposed on the substrate.

Systems and methods for creating nanocrystalline alloy articles using additive manufacturing

Techniques for forming an enclosure comprised of an aluminum alloy are disclosed. In some embodiments, aluminum ions and metal element ions can be dissolved in a non-aqueous ionic liquid in an electrolytic plating bath. A reverse pulsed electric current can facilitate in co-depositing the aluminum ions and the metal element ions onto a metal substrate. The resulting aluminum alloy layer can include nanocrystalline structures, which can impart the alloy layer with increased hardness and increased resistance to scratching, corrosion, and abrasion. In some embodiments, the metal element ion is chromium and the aluminum alloy layer includes a chromium oxide passivation layer formed via a passivation process. Subsequent to the passivation process, the formation of the chromium oxide layer does not impart a change in color to the aluminum alloy layer. In some embodiments, hafnium ions are co-deposited with aluminum ions to form an aluminum hafnium alloy.

Nanostructured aluminum alloys for improved hardness

Techniques for forming an enclosure comprised of aluminum zirconium alloy layer are disclosed. In some embodiments, aluminum ions and zirconium ions can be dissolved in a non-aqueous ionic liquid in an electrolytic plating bath. A reverse pulsed electric current can facilitate in co-depositing the aluminum ions and the zirconium ions onto a metal substrate. The resulting aluminum zirconium alloy layer can include nanocrystalline grain structures, which can impart the alloy layer with increased hardness and increased resistance to scratching, denting, and abrasion. In some embodiments, the aluminum zirconium alloy layer can be anodized to form an aluminum oxide layer. Subsequent to the anodization operation, the oxidized layer is able to retain its substantially neutral color.

Nanostructured aluminum zirconium alloys for improved anodization

An article comprising an electrodeposited aluminum alloy is described herein. The electrodeposited aluminum alloy comprises an average grain size less than approximately 1 micrometer. The electrodeposited aluminum alloy thickness is greater than approximately 40 micrometers. A ductility of the electrodeposited aluminum alloy is greater than approximately 2%.

Articles comprising an electrodeposited aluminum alloys

Coated articles and methods

Metal surface pretreatments using ionic liquids prior to electroplating are disclosed. The surface treatments include forming an activated metal substrate surface by removing any naturally formed metal oxide layers formed on the surfaces of the metal substrates. According to some embodiments, the surface treatments include exposing the metal substrate to a non-aqueous ionic liquid. In some embodiments, an electrical current is applied to the metal substrate to assist removal of the metal oxide layer. The electrical current can be a pulsed anodic current. After activating the surface, a metal layer can be deposited on the activated surface. In some embodiments, the metal layer is electrodeposited in the same ionic liquid used to form the activated surface. The resultant metal coating is resistant to scratching and peeling.

Preparation of metal substrate surfaces for electroplating in ionic liquids

Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Electrodeposition baths, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, the baths, systems and methods are used to deposit metal alloy coatings.

Electrodeposition baths, systems and methods

Methods for the use of nanocrystalline or amorphous metals or alloys as coatings with industrial processes are provided. Three, specific, such methods have been detailed. One of the preferred embodiments provides a method for the high volume electrodeposition of many components with a nanocrystalline or amorphous metal or alloy, and the components produced thereby. Another preferred embodiment provides a method for application of a nanocrystalline or amorphous coatings in a continuous electrodeposition process and the product produced thereby. Another of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a method for reworking and/or rebuilding components and the components produced thereby.

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Ashland, MA, United States of America

Alan C Lund