Patent ID: 6605161
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A deposition process comprising:applying an inoculant to at least a portion of a surface of a metal component; placing the metal component with the inoculant thereon in a chamber having a source of donor material independent of the component and any coating thereon; and while the metal component is in the chamber, exposing at least the inoculated surface portion and the independent source of donor material to a deposition environment in the chamber for a time to form an intermetallic layer at the inoculated surface portion including metal from the donor material therein, whereby the intermetallic layer forms at the inoculated surface portion to a thickness greater than would have been formed had the surface portion been exposed to the donor material in the deposition environment for said time without the inoculant having been first applied thereto.