Method of protecting an organic surface by deposition of an inorganic refractory coating thereon

A method of protecting a an organic surface having curved contours by deposition of a refractory coating thereon, comprising the steps of:

• a. introducing the surface into an evacuated chamber;
• b. disposing an electrode, whose shape complements the contours of the surface, proximate to but not in contact with the surface;
• c. creating a plasma of gaseous precursors in the space to react and produce a deposition vapor that settles onto the surface to form said inorganic coating;
• d. interrupting deposition and treating the coating to create a layer substantially impermeable to gaseous exudates;
• and
• e. recommencing deposition until the overall thickness of the coating reaches a final level.

A method of protecting an organic surface by deposition of an inorganic, transparent, refractory coating thereon, comprising the steps of:

• a. introducing the surface into an evacuated chamber;
• b. energizing an inert gas to create a plasma in a vessel contained within the chamber;
• c. bombarding a solid target with the plasma to sputter the target material;
• d. combining the sputtered material with a reactant gas to produce a deposition vapor;
• e. exposing the surface to the deposition vapor as it diffuses away from the vessel to deposit said inorganic coating on the surface;
• f. interrupting deposition and treating the coating to create a layer substantially impermeable to gaseous exudates;
• and
• g. recommencing deposition until the overall thickness of the coating reaches a final level.

A method of protecting an organic, decorative surface by deposition of a refractory inorganic coating thereon, comprising the steps of:

• a. introducing the surface into a sealed chamber and creating a vacuum therein;
• b. creating a plasma of at least one gaseous precursor in a cavity having an exit member proximate to the surface and contained within the chamber, so that the plasma reacts with at least one other gaseous precursor and produce a deposition vapor;
• c. exposing exudates from the surface to at least one reactive gas to form a stabilization layer;
• d. exposing the surface to the deposition vapor as it diffuses away from the cavity exit so as to build progressively on the surface said inorganic coating;
• and
• e. continuing deposition until the exudates are contained and the overall thickness of the coating reaches a final level.