Vergason Technology, Inc.

Gary E Vergason

Ricky L Smith

Mark A Fitch

A method for forming a chromium nitride coating over a substrate to provide a chromium nitride coated article, and the resulting chromium nitride coated article, each use a bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer. The bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer includes: (1) a first chromium nitride material layer having a first thickness, a first uniform chromium concentration and a first uniform nitrogen concentration located and formed closer to a substrate which provides the article; and (2) a second chromium nitride material layer having a second thickness, a second increasingly graded chromium concentration and a second decreasingly graded nitrogen concentration located and formed upon the first chromium nitride material layer. This particular bilayer chromium nitride containing material layer provides the article with superior reflectivity and crack resistance.

Bilayer chromium nitride coated articles and related methods

An electric arc vapor deposition device is disclosed in which the negative side of an arc power supply is switched back and forth between the two ends of a cylindrical cathode to cause an arc struck between an anode and the cathode to travel back and forth along the length of the cathode. Adjustably positioned proximity sensors are disposed adjacent the two ends of the cathode to sense the presence of the arc and cause a switching circuit to change the power supply connection from one cathode end to the other. The cylindrical shape of the cathode causes the arc to spiral around the cathode as it travels along its length thus causing a very uniform erosion of material off of the cathode's surface. Since the arc is allowed to travel substantially along the entire length of the cathode, use of a relatively long cathode permits large articles or quantities of articles to be coated evenly. In addition, the cathode can be coaxially located within a hollow article, such as a tube or pipe, to coat the inner surfaces of the article.

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Athens, PA, United States of America

Gary E Vergason