Multi-step processes for surface treatment of metallic material involving at least one process provided for in class C23 and at least one process covered by subclass C21D or C22F or class C25 (coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of main groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00, or by combinations of methods providedfor in subclasses C23C and C25D, C23C28/00)

Filing statistics

CPC C23F 17/00 belongs to the parent subclass C23F, which recorded 28,255 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,945 in 2013 to 2,068 in 2023 (+6%), peaking at 3,133 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class C23 are APPLIED MATERIALS (10,596 applications), TOKYO ELECTRON (5,229 applications) and LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION (3,622 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings