The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 03, 1999
Russell Manchester, Waconia, MN (US);
Kenneth E. Pfeiffer, Round Rock, TX (US);
Don Titel, Liberty Hill, TX (US);
Wayne W. Wheatley, Austin, TX (US);
Todd Sharpe, Austin, TX (US);
Shyh-Nung Steve Lin, Austin, TX (US);
Hongyun Wang, Austin, TX (US);
Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved finishing process and apparatus. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus are provided for finishing a metal article. The method includes cavitationally eroding the metal article to form pits in its external surface. The metal article is also corroded with a corrosion chemical to corrode the pitted metallic surface. In this manner, substantially homogeneously distributed micro-pits can be formed about the article to create a desired matte finish, as well as a surface that is amenable for sealing. In a preferred embodiment, the corrosion chemical is part of a finishing bath that is ultrasonically cavitated for eroding the metal article.