Mechanically plated coatings containing lubricant particles

Claim 2

A mechanically plated article with improved lubricity comprising: a metal substrate and a mechanically applied coating on said metal substrate which comprises a plating metal and particles of a lubricant entrapped within said coating by the plating metal.

Claim 3

A mechanically plated article according to claim 1, wherein the plating metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 4

A mechanically plated article according to claim 2, wherein the plating metal is zinc.

Claim 5

A mechanically plated article according to claim 2, wherein the plating metal is a mixture of zinc and cadmium, the quantity of the cadmium used in said coating being insufficient to lubricate said substrate effectively.

Claim 6

A mechanically plated article according to claim 2, wherein the lubricant is selected from particles of either fluorocarbon polymers, fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymers, elemental carbon, and fluorinated carbon, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 7

A mechanically plated article according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is selected from particles of either fluorocarbon polymers fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymers, elemental carbon, and fluorinated carbon, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 8

A mechanically plated article according to claim 6, wherein the lubricant is a fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymer powder.

Claim 9

A mechanically plated article according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant particles have a diameter less than the thickness of said coating.

Claim 10

A mechanically plated article according to claim 8, wherein said coating is 2.5 to 132.5 microns thick.

Claim 11

A mechanically plated article according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is 1 to 20% by weight of said coating.

Claim 12

A mechanically plated article according to claim 10, wherein the lubricant is 5 to 10% by weight of said coating.

Claim 13

A mechanically plated article according to claim 1, wherein said coating comprises a dispersion of particles of the plating metal and the lubricant.

Claim 14

A mechancially plated article according to claim 1, wherein said coating comprises a layer of plating metal adjacent said substrate and a layer of a dispersion of particles of the plating metal and the lubricant surrounding the layer of plating metal.

Claim 15

A process of mechanically plating a metal substrate to form a coating with improved lubricity comprising the steps of: providing a plating liquid containing said metal substrate and an impaction media;

Claim 16

A process of mechanically plating a metal substrate to form a coating with improved lubricity comprising the steps of: providing a plating liquid containing said metal substrate and an impaction media;

Claim 17

adding to said plating liquid a particulate plating metal and particles of a lubricant; and agitating the plating liquid, whereby said impaction media strikes said metal substrate and causes the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to adhere to said metal substrate as a coating.

Claim 18

adding to said plating liquid a particulate plating metal and particles of a lubricant; and agitating the plating liquid, whereby said impaction media strikes said metal substrate and causes the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to adhere to said metal substrate as a coating.

Claim 19

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein the plating metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 15, wherein the plating metal is zinc.

Claim 21

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 15, wherein the plating metal is a mixture of zinc and cadmium, the quantity of the cadmium used in said coating being alone insufficient to lubricate said substrate effectively.

Claim 22

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 15, wherein the lubricant is selected from particles of either fluorocarbon polymers, fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymers, elemental carbon, fluorinated carbon, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 23

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein the lubricant is selected from particles of either fluorocarbon polymers, fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymers, elemental carbon, fluorinated carbon, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 24

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 19, wherein the lubricant is a fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon blended polymer powder.

Claim 25

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein the lubricant particles have a diameter less than the thickness of said coating.

Claim 26

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 21, wherein said coating is 2.5 to 132.5 microns thick.

Claim 27

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein the lubricant is 1 to 20% by weight of said coating.

Claim 28

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 23, wherein the lubricant is 5 to 10% by weight of said coating.

Claim 29

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein said adding comprises: adding simultaneously the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to the plating liquid.

Claim 30

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein said adding comprises in sequence: adding the particulate plating metal to the plating liquid and adding simultaneously the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to the plating liquid.

Claim 31

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein said agitating is continuous.

Claim 32

A process of mechanically plating according to claim 14, wherein said agitating is intermittent.

Claim 33

A process of mechanically plating a metal substrate to form a coating with improved lubricity comprising the steps of: contacting said metal substrate with an acidic solution to clean and descale the surfaces of said metal substrate; rinsing said metal substrate with water; adding a surface conditioner containing strong acid to an agitated plating barrel containing impaction media and said metal substrate to maintain the surfaces of said metal substrate clean and oxide-free; without intermediate rinsing, adding to the agitated plating barrel a coppering agent which forms a thin copper coating on the clean, oxide-free surfaces of said metal substrate; without intermediate rinsing, adding to said agitated plating barrel a metal salt more noble than the ultimate plating metal and a small quantity of particulate coating metal to flash coat the coppered surfaces of said substrate with said more noble metal; and without intermediate rinsing, adding to said agitated plating barrel a particulate plating metal and particles of a lubricant, whereby said impaction media strikes the metal substrate and causes the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to adhere to said metal substrate as a coating.

Claim 34

A process of mechanically plating a metal substrate to form a coating with improved lubricity comprising the steps of: contacting said metal substrate with an acidic solution to clean and descale the surfaces of said metal substrate; rinsing said metal substrate with water; adding a surface conditioner containing strong acid to an agitated plating barrel containing impaction media and said metal substrate to maintain the surfaces of said metal substrate clean and oxide-free; without intermediate rinsing, adding to the agitated plating barrel a coppering agent which forms a thin copper coating on the clean, oxide-free surfaces of said metal substrate; without intermediate rinsing, adding to said agitated plating barrel a metal salt more noble than the ultimate plating metal and a small quantity of particulate coating metal to flash coat the coppered surfaces of said substrate with said more noble metal; and without intermediate rinsing, adding to said agitated plating barrel a particulate plating metal and particles of a lubricant, whereby said impaction media strikes the metal substrate and causes the particulate plating metal and the lubricant particles to adhere to said metal substrate as a coating.