Dichromate resists

Dichromated Resists. The first compositions widely used as photoresists combine a photosensitive dichromate salt (usually ammonium dichromate) with a water-soluble polymer of biologic origin such as gelatin, egg albumin (proteins), or gum arabic (a starch). Later, synthetic polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) also were used (11,12). Irradiation with uv light (X in the range of 360—380 nm using, for example, a carbon arc lamp) leads to photoinitiated oxidation of the polymer and reduction of dichromate to Ct(III). The photoinduced chemistry renders exposed areas insoluble in aqueous developing solutions. The photochemical mechanism of dichromate sensitization of PVA (summarized in Fig. 3) has been studied in detail (13). 

Poly(vinyl cinnamate) Resists. Dichromated resists exhibit numerous shortcomings which include lot-to-lot variabiUty of the components, aging of the formulated resists in solution and in coated form, poor process stabiUty (due to a sensitivity to variations in temperature and humidity), and intrinsically low photosensitivity requiring long exposure times for adequate insolubilization. 

Dichromated gelatin coatings, 12 444 Dichromated resists, 15 156 Dichromate treatment, 9 397 Dickite, 6 659... 

A system widely used in silkscreen printing takes advantage of the photosensitization reaction of the dichromate/poly(vinyl alcohol) or dichromate/gelatin system. The mechanism of these dichromate resists is obscure, but it is thought that the formation of the chromate ion from the dichromate ion is an important initial step ... 

The dichromate resists as also the diazo resist systems developed later suffer from limited stability and limited exposure wavelength sensitivity and are very slow photographically. These have therefore been... 

Diamond is very resistant to chemical reagents potassium dichromate and sulphuric acid attack it with the formation of CO2. It burns in air or oxygen at 700 C to CO2 leaving scarcely any ash some forms of bort may leave as much as 4-5% ash. 

Fig. 3. Chemistry of dichromated poly(vinyl alcohol) resist. Initially the dichromate ion absorbs light the light-activated species undergoes an...

The moderate resistance of DMSO to oxidation permits it to be used as a solvent for oxidations with lead tetraacetate or the 2-nitropropane anion (33,34). Dichromate oxidation and permanganate oxidation have been used for quantitative deterrnination of DMSO (35,36). 

Sihcon carbide is comparatively stable. The only violent reaction occurs when SiC is heated with a mixture of potassium dichromate and lead chromate. Chemical reactions do, however, take place between sihcon carbide and a variety of compounds at relatively high temperatures. Sodium sihcate attacks SiC above 1300°C, and SiC reacts with calcium and magnesium oxides above 1000°C and with copper oxide at 800°C to form the metal sihcide. Sihcon carbide decomposes in fused alkahes such as potassium chromate or sodium chromate and in fused borax or cryohte, and reacts with carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ak, and steam. Sihcon carbide, resistant to chlorine below 700°C, reacts to form carbon and sihcon tetrachloride at high temperature. SiC dissociates in molten kon and the sihcon reacts with oxides present in the melt, a reaction of use in the metallurgy of kon and steel (qv). The dense, self-bonded type of SiC has good resistance to aluminum up to about 800°C, to bismuth and zinc at 600°C, and to tin up to 400°C a new sihcon nitride-bonded type exhibits improved resistance to cryohte. 

Dichromates and chromic acid are used as sealers or after-dips to improve the corrosion resistance of various coatings on metals. Eor example, phosphate coatings on galvani2ed iron or steel as well as sulfuric acid anodic coatings on aluminum can be sealed by hexavalent chromium baths. 

This is the final neutralizing rinse after the pre-treatment to obtain a better corrosion resistance. The phosphated surfaces are treated with chromic acid-based or acidified sodium dichromate solutions which are not affected by moisture and thus protect the phosphate coating. 

Conversely to the above, any factor which tends to maintain the protective character of the beryllia film will obviously increase corrosion resistance, and, in this respect, the presence of anodic inhibitors such as sodium dichromate, up to about 40 p.p.m., will effectively suppress pitting of beryllium in water. 

Electroless nickel-phosphorus should not be used with either fused or hot, strong, aqueous caustic solutions because the coating offers lower resistance to attack than does electrodeposited nickel. As-deposited electroless nickel-boron, however, offers good resistance to hot aqueous caustic solutions It is also resistant to solutions of oxidising salts such as potassium dichromate, permanganate, chlorate and nitrate. 

Since the natural passivity of aluminium is due to the thin film of oxide formed by the action of the atmosphere, it is not unexpected that the thicker films formed by anodic oxidation afford considerable protection against corrosive influences, provided the oxide layer is continuous, and free from macropores. The protective action of the film is considerably enhanced by effective sealing, which plugs the mouths of the micropores formed in the normal course of anodising with hydrated oxide, and still further improvement may be afforded by the incorporation of corrosion inhibitors, such as dichromates, in the sealing solution. Chromic acid films, in spite of their thinness, show good corrosion resistance. 

Copper and its alloys can be cleaned and brightened by immersion in solutions of substantial quantities of dichromate with a little acid (see, for instance method Q of DEF STD 03-2/1). Such solutions impart some resistance to tarnishing, ascribed to the formation of very thin chromate films. 

Carbons are very stable to conventional acids and bases, and as a result they are used as corrosion-resistant material for chemical equipment. However, oxidation will occur at room temperature in highly oxidising solutions such as highly concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid, blends of potassium dichromate and phosphoric acid, or potassium chlorate and nitric acid. 

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