Integran Technologies Inc.

John Kratochwil

Klaus Tomantschger

Jonathan McCrea

Francisco Gonzalez

Gino Palumbo

Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos

Herath Katugaha

Rich Emrich

Mary Pasquantonio

Diana Facchini

Nandakumar Nagarajan

Mioara Neacsu

Dan Woloshyn

Yusuf Bismilla

Fracisco Gonzalez

Diana Faccini

Jonathan Mccrea

Francisco Gonzales

A method for electrodepositing a coating/free-standing layer on a workpiece in an electrolytic cell includes moving the workpiece and an anode applicator tool having a consumable anode insert relative to each other; anodically dissolving a metal from the insert and cathodically depositing the metal on the workpiece; providing flow of electrolyte solution through the insert to ensure that greater than 90% of the anodic reaction is represented by dissolution of the metal; recirculating collected electrolyte solution exiting the electrolytic cell through the insert; applying an electric current to the electrolytic cell; maintaining a concentration of the anodically dissolved metal within &#xb1;25% of each Ampere-hour per liter of electroplating solution; and creating a cathodic electrodeposit on the workpiece which includes the anodically dissolved metal, the chemical composition of the deposit varying by less than 25% in the deposition direction over a selected thickness of up to 25 microns of the deposit.

Porous, flow-through consumable anodes for use in selective electroplating

Anode applicators include consumable anodes, that can be operated in a non-stationary mode and are insensitive to orientation, are used in selective plating/brush electrodeposition of coatings or free-standing components. The flow-through dimensionally-stable, consumable anodes employed are perforated/porous to provide relatively unimpeded electrolyte flow and operate at low enough electrochemical potentials to provide for anodic metal/alloy dissolution avoiding undesired anodic reactions. The consumable anodes include consumable anode material(s) in high surface area to reduce the local anodic current density. During electroplating, sufficient electrolyte is pumped through the consumable anodes at sufficient flow rates to minimize concentration gradient and/or avoid the generation of chlorine and/or oxygen gas and/or undesired reaction such as the anodic oxidation of P-bearing ions in the electrolyte. The active consumable anode material(s) can have a microstructure which is fine-grained and/or amorphous to ensure a uniform anodic dissolution.

Flow-through consumable anodes

Metal-coated polymer articles containing structural substantially porosity-free, fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein on polymer substrates, are disclosed. The substantially porosity-free metallic coatings/layers/patches are applied to polymer or polymer composite substrates to provide, enhance or restore vacuum/pressure integrity and fluid sealing functions. Due to the excellent adhesion between the metallic coating and the polymer article satisfactory thermal cycling performance is achieved. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, aerospace and automotive parts and other components exposed to thermal cycling and stress created by erosion and impact damage.

Metal-coated polymer article

Metal-coated polymer articles containing structural substantially porosity-free, fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein on polymer substrates, are disclosed. The substantially porosity-free metallic coatings/layers/patches are applied to polymer or polymer composite substrates to provide, enhance or restore vacuum/pressure integrity and fluid sealing functions. Due to the excellent adhesion between the metallic coating and the polymer article satisfactory thermal cycling performance is achieved. The invention can also be employed as a repair/refurbishment technique. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, aerospace and automotive parts and other components exposed to thermal cycling and stress created by erosion and impact damage.

Metal-coated polymer article of high durability and vacuum and/or pressure integrity

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Aurora, Canada

John Kratochwil