Abstract: A material for producing far-infrared radiation is disclosed. The material comprises a substrate and an Al--Mn alloy-derived oxide surface layer on the substrate, the oxide surface layer being porous with an average pore diameter of 0.01-2.0 micrometers and a porosity of 10.sup.3 -10.sup.12 pores/cm.sup.2, the weight ratio of Mn/Al of the oxide surface layer being 0.001-2.0, and the thickness of the oxide surface layer being 0.1-100 micrometers.

Abstract: A multilayer plated aluminum sheet suitable for use in automobile body panels comprises a base aluminum sheet made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and has a first layer of zinc or a zinc alloy formed by displacement plating on the surface of the aluminum sheet and one or more layers of electroplated coating formed on the first layer by electroplating in an acidic bath. Preferably, the upper electroplated coating comprises at least one layer of zinc or a zinc alloy and the uppermost layer of the coating is formed from a metallic material having a melting point above 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A surface-coated steel sheet having improved corrosion resistance and suitable for use as automobile inner and outer panels comprises a steel sheet having on at least one surface thereof a composite coating which comprises the following layers (a) to (d) from the bottom to the top of the coating:(a) a first zinc alloy plating layer with a coating weight of 10-100 g/m.sup.2 which contains at least one of Ni and Co in an amount satisfying the following inequality:0.05.ltoreq.(5.times.Co)+Ni.ltoreq.10 (in weight percent),(b) a second zinc alloy plating layer with a coating weight of 0.05-10 g/m.sup.2 which contains at least one of Ni and Co in an amount satisfying the following inequality:10<(5.times.Co)+Ni.ltoreq.40 (in weight percent),(c) a chromate film layer with a coating weight of 20-300 mg/m.sup.2 as Cr, and(d) an organic coating layer with a thickness of 0.2-5 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuous electroplating of a strip with an alloy by passing the strip through a plating bath of the immersion type in both down-pass and up-pass with an anode being positioned in each pass so as to face at least one side of the strip are disclosed. Said anode is an insoluble anode which is spaced from the strip by a distance of about 10-50 mm, and the plating solution is blown into the gap between said anode and said strip countercurrently with respect to the movement of said strip.

Abstract: A steel sheet with two or more coatings and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The steel sheet has on at least one side a discontinuous surface layer of an Fe or Fe--Zn base alloy, preferably an Fe--Zn base alloy electrodeposit containing Sn in an amount of 0.01 to 50 mg/m.sup.2, usually in an amount of 1.0 to 50 mg/m.sup.2, preferably in an amount of 3.0 to 30 mg/m.sup.2, and also 5 to 50% by weight of Zn in case Fe--Zn alloy is used, and a layer of Zn--Ni or Zn--Fe alloy electrodeposit, which lies directly under said discontinuous surface layer.

Abstract: A steel strip is electrolytically plated with a Zn-Ni alloy in an electrolyte both containing Zn.sup.2+ and Ni.sup.2+ ions together with a strontium compound in an amount of 0.05-10 g/l, calculated as SrSO.sub.4 is disclosed.

Abstract: In a horizontal-type electroplating apparatus which includes a tank containing an electroplating bath for electroplating onto a single surface of running metal strip, the tank including anodes therein which have a width substantially equal to the width of the strip which passes through the tank, the apparatus also including an electric insulator sheet positioned in contacting relation to the upper surface of the strip which is opposite to the lower surface facing the anodes, the improvement wherein a nozzle for supplying the electroplating solution to the bath in the tank is provided at the bottom of the tank and is oriented to discharge the solution towards the lower surface of the running strip; wherein gas-jet nozzles are positioned to discharge gas towards the zones of the upper surface of the strip which are not contacted by the integral insulator sheet; and wherein an overflow device is provided along the side of the tank to control the level of the plating solution substantially equal to the level of t