Appeal No. 1998-1154
Application No. 08/304,960
Additionally, Armini only teaches ion implantation of
zirconium ions with an oxygen background. Yonezawa does not
teach that zirconium is an ion that could be implanted in an
aluminum alloy (see the abstract). Furthermore, Natishan is
only directed to pure aluminum substrates, not alloys, and
thus even considering the teachings of Armini analogous for
any titanium aluminum alloy would not establish a reason for
the combination of these references.
Finally, as appellants argue (Brief, page 5; Substitute
Reply Brief, page 4), the examiner has not identified any
convincing motivation or reason to combine the references.
The examiner finds that all references are concerned with
corrosion (Answer, page 6). However, while Yonezawa and
Natishan are concerned with corrosion or pitting, Armini only
states that “[z]irconium ions have been ion implanted into
iron and steel to improve the corrosion properties.” See col.
1, ll. 53-55, emphasis added. Armini teaches that his
invention uses zirconium and oxygen “to form a low-friction
surface layer of zirconium oxide.” See col. 2, ll. 21-27.
Furthermore, Armini teaches that the graded or blended
interface of workpiece material and zirconium oxide “is
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