| abstract |
An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium layer deposited on the nickel layer, a palladium-nickel alloy layer deposited on the palladium layer, a non-precious refractory metal such as zirconium layer deposited on the palladium-nickel alloy layer, a sandwich layer comprised of alternating layers of a non-precious refractory metal compound such as zirconium nitride and a refractory metal such as zirconium deposited on the non-precious refractory metal layer, a non-precious refractory metal compound such as zirconium nitride layer 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 such as zirconium, oxygen, and nitrogen deposited on the non-precious refractory metal compound layer. |