| abstract |
An article, particularly a brass article, is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising a semi-bright nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a bright nickel layer deposited on the semi-bright nickel layer, a nickel-tungsten-boron layer deposited on the bright nickel layer, a chrome layer deposited on the nickel-tungsten-boron layer, a layer comprised of a non-precious refractory metal deposited on the chrome layer, a sandwich layer comprised of alternating layers of non-precious refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, and non-precious refractory metal, preferably zirconium, deposited on the non-precious refractory metal layer, a non-precious refractory metal compound such as zirconium nitride deposited on the sandwich layer, and a layer comprised of a non-precious refractory metal oxide or the reaction products of a non-precious refractory metal, oxygen and nitrogen deposited on the non-precious refractory metal compound layer. The coating provides the color of brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection. |