Patent ID: 6270840
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: B22F,C01P,C09C,C23C

Abstract:
A method for producing plane-parallel flakes, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a lower than atmospheric pressure chamber;(b) within said chamber, physical vapor deposition of a separating agent on an endless substrate at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure for producing a separating agent layer on the endless substrate;(c) thereafter within said chamber, physical vapor deposition of at least one layer on the separating agent layer at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure; and(d) thereafter within said chamber, dissolution of the separating agent layer in a solvent so as to produce a suspension wherein the at least one layer is present in the form of plane-parallel flakes;wherein step (d) is carried out at a pressure which is higher than the pressure in steps (b) and (c) and lower than atmospheric pressure and the substrate is not exposed to atmospheric pressure throughout steps (b), (c) and (d).