IMPROVED MOULDING TOOL AND METHOD

摘要

A coating and method of depositing it is provided. The wear resistant coating comprises a thin layer of disordered boron and carbon applied to a substrate. The coating has good adherence and provides good resistance to wear so that it is useful as a tool coating. In a more specific embodiment, the coating is disordered boron carbide. The coating can have a high gloss and can also be used as a decorative coating. The coating can be made by sputtering boron and carbon onto a substrate. A bias voltage may be applied to the substrate during sputtering. In accordance with one embodiment, the disordered boron and carbon coating is of a composition BxC1-x where x is from about 0.60 to about 0.90. In accordance with another embodiment, an improved molding tool is provided that includes a disordered carbon coating on at least a portion of the working surface of the molding tool. The coating provides improved release characteristics, longer tool life and results in molded articles having smoother finishes and improved detail.