As evidenced by a new patent (number 20100273538) at the US
Patent & Trademark Office, Apple is working to make its devices
even more scratch proof. The patent is for nitriding stainless
steel for consumer electronics products. It involves cost
effective system, method and apparatus adapted to provide a
nitride layer on stainless steel used for the manufacture of
consumer electronic products. In addition to providing a
durable, hard surface that is both scratch and impact resistant,
the nitride layer allows for the natural surface color and
texture of the underlying stainless steel to remain visible to
the user. It is this natural surface color and texture of the
stainless steel that adds to the aesthetically pleasing
appearance of the consumer electronic product thereby enhancing
the user's overall experience, says Apple. The inventor is
Douglas Weber. Here's Apple's background and summary of the
invention: "The stainless steels owe their resistance to
corrosion to the presence of chromium. Currently, there