Hard, gold-colored under layer for a gold or gold-containing surface layer and an article therewith
AssigneeLeybold-Heraeus GmbH
InventorsDieter Hofmann, Klaus-Jurgen Heimbach, Helmut Petersein, Wolf-Dieter Munz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An underlayer of at least one a carbonitride of titanium, zirconium, hafnium or vanadium or hafnium nitride may be under a surface layer at least containing gold or on a still-undermore decorative article, and preferably both. It has a brilliance approximating that of gold so that, when appropriately color matched to the surface layer, it disguises spots of the surface layer worn away in use of the article. The underlayer and surface layer may be deposited in a cathode vaporization process from corresponding metallic cathode targets in appropriate neutral or reactive atmospheres.
Claims15
A structure comprising:
- a gold or gold-containing surface layer;
- and
- underlayer means for approximating the brilliance and color of the surface layer, whereby to disguise therewith worn away portions of the surface layer, the underlayer means comprising a gold-colored underlayer on the surface layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a carbonitride of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and vanadium.
A structure, comprising, in combination:
- a gold or gold-containing surface layer;
- and
- an underlayer on the surface layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a carbonitride of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and vanadium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.