NEW PATENTS: January 1980
Journal Archive
NEW PATENTS: January 1980
METALS AND ALLOYS
Current Carrying Alloys of Titanium
johnson matthey & co. ltd. British Patent 1,552,427
Ti alloys containing 6−40% Ir, Rh and/or Ru possess improved corrosion resistance compared with Ti metal, particularly when subjected to a.c. current at high densities, such as when used as water heater electrodes. Preferred alloys contain 94% Ti, 6% Ir and 88% Ti, 6% Pt, 6% Ir.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Composite Electrode
international nickel co. inc. U.S. Patent 4,157,943
A composite electrowinning electrode has a barrier layer of platinum group metal or Au on the substrate, a RuO2-containing non-electro deposited surface layer and an intermediate layer of electroplated Ru-Ir in a partially oxidised state.
ELECTRODEPOSITION AND SURFACE COATINGS
Brush Electroplating
weldex a.g. European Appl. 3,680
An improved electrode for brush electroplating is a stylus fabricated for instance from Pt, adapted to hold plating solution, and having its tip surrounded by an absorbent abrasive material made from synthetic fibres, such as a polypropylene/nylon felt bonded with acrylic resin.
Electroless Plating on Non-Conductive Surfaces
honeywell inc. U.S. Patent 4,154,869
Pinhole-free and crack-free electroless coatings can be obtained on Pd-Sn activated non-conductive surfaces by using a two-stage plating process. The plated surface is removed from the bath when a visible plating has been formed and is reactivated before being returned to the electroless plating bath.
Dot Printing Wire
pilot man-nen-hitsu k.k. U. S. Patent 4,155,660
The tip of a dot printing wire is provided with a wear-resistant coating which can be an alloy of platinum group metals (Ir-Os) or a platinum group metal alloyed with another transition metal and/or B, such as Os-Re, Co-Ru-W or Re-Ru-Ta-B alloys.
LABORATORY APPARATUS AND TECHNIQUE
Fail-Safe Gas Detector
electrical remote control co. ltd. British Patent 1,550,615
To reduce the risk of failure due to catalyst poisoning, a detector for combustible gases has two adjacent transducers, one of which is energised continuously and the other intermittently, and the outputs are compared when both are energised. The transducers (“pellistors”) are preferably a pair of matched active Pt resistances.
Determination of Total Nitrogen Content of Aqueous Solutions
sumitomo chemical co. ltd. British Appl. 2,012,953A
The total N2 content of an aqueous sample is determined by passing a N2-free, CO-free inert gas through a reaction tube packed with a Pt or Pd catalyst, maintained at 700−1200°C, then through a condenser and a moisture absorbing tube, injecting the test sample into the reaction tube and passing gaseous products emerging from the moisture absorbing tube to a spectrometer to determine N2.
Determination of the Flow Velocity of Gases
deutsche gold-und silber-scheideanstalt British Appl. 2,013,898A
Drift in readings given by a hot-wire anemometer for measuring the flow velocity of the intake air of an I.C.E. is reduced if the temperature-sensitive resistors are formed from a thin layer of Pt, Cu or Ni deposited onto an insulating substrate, such as Al2O3.
Nitrido-Bridged Staining Agents
johnson matthey & co. ltd. British Appl. 2,014,553A
The staining of cells, particularly to detect DNA and polysaccharides, is achieved with an aqueous solution of a N2-bridged ammine complex of formula [M2N(NH3)8−2xX5−y.xH2O]Yy where M is Ru or Os, X and Y are nitrate, halide or pseudohalide anions, x is 0 or 1 and y is 2 or 3.
Detector for Combustible Gases
johnson matthey & co. ltd. British Appl. 2,015,175A
A detector is in the form of a quasibridge circuit which includes resistance thermometer elements one of which has a catalytic coating of a platinum group metal connected to a negative feedback amplifier such that the impedance between the amplifier output and the earth is zero. The thermometer elements are preferably formed from fired frits containing Au, Ag and/or platinum group metal conductive particles.
Solid Electrolyte Gas Sensor
bendix autolite corp. British Appl. 2,016,702A
A high voltage output and lower internal resistance of a solid electrolyte oxygen sensor is produced by chemically activating the inner Pt electrode with an inorganic acid or an acid salt, such as with H2PtCl6, HCl, H2SO4 or HNO3. A faster switching response can also be obtained by subjecting the outer electrode to d.c. activation under a reducing atmosphere.
Carbon Deposit Control
bethlehem steel. corp. British Appl. 2,017,932A
A wire probe which measures the resistance between two Pt wound electrodes monitors C build-up during the coking cycle in a coke oven. A plot obtained from the probe is used to adjust the temperature of the gas flowing through the oven and thus prevent excessive C deposit.
JOINING
Welding under Water
comex s.a. British Patent 1,552,340
CO released by welding operations in pressurised chambers is converted into CO2 by passage over a catalyst bed containing Pt and the CO2 is removed by passage through a CO2 absorber. The method enables the welder to operate without a respiratory mask, enabling him to have unrestricted movement.
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Light-Oil Hydrogenolysis
ste. nationale elf aquttaine British Patent 1,550,050
Ethane and other 1−4C hydrocarbons are obtained by the hydrogenolysis of light petroleum stock over a catalyst which contains Ir and a second Group VIII metal, preferably Pt, supported on a refractory oxide carrier containing < 0.5% of sulphate ions.
Hydrocarbon Conversion Catalyst
u.o.p. inc. British Patent 1,551,307
The reforming of gasoline boiling range feedstocks using Pt-Sn and related catalysts is made more selective by using a catalyst in whose production a chelating agent has been employed to prevent hydrolysis. In an example, Al2O3 is pretreated with EDTA before impregnation with stannic chloride and chloroplatinic acid solutions.
Nuclear Hydrogenation of N-Aryl Carbamates
uniroyal inc. British Patent 1,551,832
N-alicyclic carbamates, used as starting products for isocyanates which give non-yellowing polyurethanes, are produced by the nuclear hydrogenation of the N-aryl carbamates in the presence of a Group VIII metal catalyst which has been treated with acid. The platinum group metals, especially Rh, are preferred. The acid treatment increases its activity and permits repeated re-use.
Modified Organopolysiloxane Elastomers
s.w.s. silicones corp. British Patent 1,553,125
In an improved method of manufacturing oil-resistant modified organopolysiloxane elastomers, the modified organopolysiloxane may be reacted with a cross-linking agent in the presence of a Pt catalyst.
Platinum Group Metal Hydrogenation Catalyst
institut francais du petrole British Appl. 2,012,606A
A catalyst with improved S resistance, for use in hydrogenating aromatic compounds, consists of a platinum group metal deposited on a halogenated carrier which has been treated at 100−600°C with an inert gas and then at 50−400°C with a hydrocarbon containing at least one S compound. In an example, Al2O3 supporting 0.3% Pt, 0.6% Ir and 2% Cl is heated in N2 and then in a hydrocarbon-containing dibenzothiophene.
Palladium Catalyst for Solar Energy Storage
r.c.a. corp U.S. Patent 4,150,816
In a process for storing solar radiation, the radiation is converted into electrical current which is supplied to an electrochemical cell, with H2O and gaseous CO2, to give formic acid as the storage medium. This can be decomposed, for example, using a Pd catalyst, to give gaseous CO2 and H2.
Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Hydrocarbon Mixtures
mobil oil corp. U.S. Patent 4,157,338
Heterogeneous catalysts consisting of a mixture of a Ru, Rh or Os co-reduction catalyst and a crystalline aluminosilicate, such as a ZSM-5 zeolite, are effective for converting synthesis gas into hydrocarbons suitable for use as petrol.
Selective Hydrogenolysis of Light Gasoline Stocks
ste. nationale elf aquitaine U.S. Patent 4,157,949
Light gasoline stocks are selectively hydrogenolysed in normal hydrogenolysis conditions using an Ir-Group VIII metal catalyst to yield an ethane-rich gaseous fraction and a high-octane gasoline fraction. A preferred catalyst is Ir-Pt supported on a high specific surface area porous refractory oxide.
Platinum Metal Containing Cracking Catalyst
mobil oil corp. U.S. Patent 4,159,239
The operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit having a regenerator designed to completely burn CO to CO2 is improved by circulating a trace amount of one or more of the six platinum group metals and Re with the circulating solid acidic cracking catalyst.
HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Sulphur and/or Aromatic Compound Reduction
protec processi & technologie s.p.a. British Patent 1,549,363
In processes for reducing S in petroleum fractions and for reducing the aromatic content of paraffin cuts and waxes, the liquid compounds are treated with an oxidising agent, particularly H2O2, in the presence of RuO2 as an O2 carrier.
Heat Curable Siloxane Foams
dow corning corp. British Patent 1,550,891
Fire-retardant siloxane foams, for cushioning and seating, are prepared using Pt catalysts and specified catalyst inhibitors which increase the pot-life of the siloxane to more than 8 hours. A preferred Pt catalyst is Pt(II) diacetylacetonate.
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
Improving the Light Fastness of Organic Materials
fuji photo film co. ltd. British Appl. 2,013,227A
Specified Pt, Pd, Ni, Cu and Co chelates are used to increase the sunlight stability of organic materials, particularly of dyes used in photographic materials.
Platinum and Palladium Ethylenethiolates
polaroid corp. U.S. Patent 4,152,332
Plastics are modified to enable them to absorb the i.r. part of the spectrum by incorporating a Pt, Pd or Ni complex of two molecules of a dithiol of formula HS(R)C = C(R)SH where R is a substituted furan or pyrrole group.
Room Temperature-Curing Silicone Rubber
toray silicone co. ltd. U.S. Patent 4,156,674
A flame resistant rubber composition vulcanising at room temperature has triazole compounds added to enhance its extinguishing properties. The azoles are added in addition to conventional Pt powder extinguishing additives.
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Integrated Circuit Devices
i.b.m. corp. British Patent 1,550,600
In an improved fabrication procedure, interconnected arrays of IGFET devices are produced using only two masking steps. The devices are provided with source and drain contacts of Pd or Pt silicide.
Microcircuits
hughes aircraft co. British Patent 1,550,867
In an arrangement for fabricating microcircuit devices, semiconductor workpieces are provided with pairs of spaced alignment marks to facilitate their positioning. The substrates are preferably of GaAs, Ge or Si and the marks of Pt, Ir, Os, Ta, W, Re, Tl or Au. The most preferred combination is Ir and Si.
Solid-Electrolyte Capacitors
matsushita electric industrial co. ltd. British Patent 1,551,210
The tan δ loss of conventional MnO2 capacitors is substantially reduced when the colloidal C cathode collector coating is replaced by a low-resistivity platinum group metal oxide. Ru oxide is preferred.
Metallization Process
eurographics holding n.v. British Appl. 2,017,577A
An extremely thin (< 100Å) metal film is deposited on a transfer and a thin coat of varnish is applied to either the transfer or the substrate before laminating the substrate and transfer layer together. The metallic particles become absorbed into the varnish to provide the substrate with a highly polished specular metallic finish. Pt, Ag and Au finishes may thus be obtained.
Electric Vehicle
ford motor co. ltd. European Appl. 3,739
An electric vehicle is driven by a unipolar dynamoelectric motor and preferably Na-S batteries. The motor stator includes a field coil surrounded by a conductive Cu jacket, Ni-plated and with a flash coating of Rh to minimise the resistance to current flow.
MEDICAL USES
Prosthetic Device
bbc brown, boveri & co. ltd. British Patent 1,550,219
A device for implantation in living tissue, particularly eyelids, consists of two permanent magnets enclosed in a ductile, gas-tight tissue-compatible material. The magnets are of Co5Sm, and the envelope material is Pt, Rh, Ru, Pd, Au, Ag or an acceptable alloy thereof.
Bonding a Bioglass to Metal
board of regents of the university of florida British Patent 1,552,570
In an improved method of bonding glass to a metal substrate, the heated metal is immersed in the molten bioglass, quickly withdrawn, rapidly cooled to about 800°C and then cooled more slowly in a furnace. The method is used for the construction of bone prostheses. Pt, Pt-Rh alloy and surgical stainless steel are suitable metal substrates.