Method for the metallization of fibers

Claim 1

A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament which comprises passing the filament through the inner tube of a first chamber for decontamination which comprises two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube is heated and said annular space contains an inert gas such that said gas flows through said holes in heated jet streams which impinge upon said filament, thereby heating and decontaminating said filament; passing said heated and decontaminated filament into a second chamber for metallization also comprising two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube of said second chamber is heated and said annular space of said second chamber contains a gaseous, thermally decomposable metal compound such that said gaseous metal compound flows through said holes in heated jet streams and impinges upon said heated and decontaminated filament, thereby thermally decomposing said metal compound and metallizing said filament; disposing an intermediate chamber in alignment with and with ends in sealing relationship with the respective ends of said decontamination and metallization chambers and having a membrane disposed intermediately and transversely thereof; communicating each said inner tube with its associated section of the intermediate chamber drawing off gaseous material entering each said section from said inner tubes; and passing said heated and decontaminated filament through said intermediate chamber and through a pinhole aperture in said membrane prior to said passing through the metallization chamber.

Claim 2

A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament which comprises passing the filament through the inner tube of a first chamber for decontamination which comprises two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube is heated and said annular space contains an inert gas such that said gas flows through said holes in heated jet streams which impinge upon said filament, thereby heating and decontaminating said filament; passing said heated and decontaminated filament into a second chamber for metallization also comprising two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube of said second chamber is heated and said annular space of said second chamber contains a gaseous, thermally decomposable metal compound such that said gaseous metal compound flows through said holes in heated jet streams and impinges upon said heated and decontaminated filament, thereby thermally decomposing said metal compound and metallizing said filament; disposing an intermediate chamber in alignment with and with ends in sealing relationship with the respective ends of said decontamination and metallization chambers and having a membrane disposed intermediately and transversely thereof; communicating each said inner tube with its associated section of the intermediate chamber drawing off gaseous material entering each said section from said inner tubes; and passing said heated and decontaminated filament through said intermediate chamber and through a pinhole aperture in said membrane prior to said passing through the metallization chamber.