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US4389463A
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US
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Zinc-aluminum hot dip coated ferrous article
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1981-07-23
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Granted: 1983-06-21
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Expires: 2001-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved hot dip coating of the zinc aluminum type contains germanium (Ge). In Zn-10Al coatings the addition of 0.1-1.2 Ge weight percent increases the fluidity of the molten metal in the bath and thereby enables substantially thinner coatings having more refined phase structure. Silicon (Si) is found to exhibit an analogous effect, but it not as powerful as Ge. Improved coatings contain zinc, 7-17Al, and 0.1-3(Ge+Si), where Ge ranges from 0-1.2, all weight percent.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Smeggil
- 👤 Norman S. Bornstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:09
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C2/00; C23C2/04; C23C2/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12785; Y10T428/12792; Y10T428/12799
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A ferrous metal article having on the surface thereof a hot dip coating comprised predominantly of zinc (Zn), up to 17 weight percent aluminum (Al), and at least 0.1 weight percent germanium (Ge).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ferrous metal article having on the surface thereof a hot dip coating comprised predominantly of zinc (Zn), up to 17 weight percent aluminum (Al), and at least 0.1 weight percent germanium (Ge).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the coating is more particularly characterized by weight percent as 4-17Al, 0.1-1.2Ge, balance Zn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 2 wherein the coating is more particularly characterized as 7-13Al, 0.1-1Ge balance Zn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 3 wherein the coating consists essentially of 9-11Al, 0.1-0.3Ge, balance Zn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, said coating containing 0.1-3 weight percent silicon (Si) in substitution for Zn.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The article of claims 1, 2 or 3 having a nominal alpha (aluminum rich) phase of a size of less than about 15×10 -6 m in dimension when applied to a small ferrous workpiece using inertial removal of excess hot dip coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 6 wherein the alpha phase size is predominantely of the order of 1-2×10 -6 m.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the method of applying zinc aluminum alloy coatings to articles by hot dipping, the improvement which comprises adding 0.1-1.2 weight percent germanium to the molten coating bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the method of applying zinc aluminum alloy coatings to articles by hot dipping, the improvement which comprises adding 0.1-1.2 weight percent germanium to the molten coating bath.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of applying an improved zinc aluminum alloy coating on a ferrous metal article, characterized by passing the article through a molten zinc (Zn) base metal bath comprised by weight percent of 4-17 aluminum (Al); and 0.1-3 germanium+silicon (Ge+Si), wherein Ge ranges from 0.1-1.2.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of applying an improved zinc aluminum alloy coating on a ferrous metal article, characterized by passing the article through a molten zinc (Zn) base metal bath comprised by weight percent of 4-17 aluminum (Al); and 0.1-3 germanium+silicon (Ge+Si), wherein Ge ranges from 0.1-1.2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the molten bath is comprised of 7-13Al, 0.1-1(Ge+Si), balance Zn.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The methods of claims 8, 9, or 10 further characterized by covering of the molten coating bath into which the article is immersed with a molten halide flux, and holding the bath in the temperature range of 400° to 650° C.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-20 | 1986-12-20 | 1987-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-20 | 1990-12-20 | 1991-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-20 | 1994-12-20 | 1995-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |