Abstract: Methods for deoxidizing metallic surfaces are disclosed. Such a method may include contacting a surface of a metal strip with one or more chemical solutions until a potential drop across a thickness of the metal strip is less than a pre-selected value. To process a metal strip such that it may be suitable for fabrication of a bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell, the metal strip may be processed until the potential drop is less then about 15 mV. A surface of the metal strip may be contacted for a first period of time with a first chemical solution having a pH of between 10 and 14. Thereafter, the surface may be contacted for a second period of time with a second chemical solution having a pH of between 1 and 3. A conductive organic coating may then be applied to the surface. Such methods are particularly suitable for use in connection with a coil coating process.

Abstract: Operational problems such as scale and sludge formation which are encountered in phosphating processes using compositions containing zinc and at least one of Ni, Co, or Zn may be alleviated by maintaining an effective level of dissolved iron cations in such compositions.

Abstract: A chemically and thermally stable chromate free aqueous liquid treatment for metals, especially aluminum, that imparts corrosion resistance as good as that from conventional chromate containing treatments, contains water and a fluoroacid selected from the group consisting of H2TiF6, H2 ZrF6, H2HfF6, H2SiF6, H2GeF6, H2SnF6, HBF4, and mixtures thereof; a water soluble organic carboxylic acid that contains at least two hydroxyl groups, exclusive of the hydroxyl groups that are part of any carboxyl groups, per carboxyl group in each acid molecule, the water soluble salts of such acids, and mixtures thereof; a source of phosphate ions; and an organic component selected from the group consisting of tannins and amino-phenolic polymers.

Abstract: A chemically and thermally stable chromate free aqueous liquid treatment for metals, especially aluminum, that imparts corrosion resistance as good as that from conventional chromate containing treatments, contains water and a fluoroacid selected from the group consisting of H2TiF6, H2 ZrF6, H2HfF6, H2SiF6, H2GeF6, H2SnF6, HBF4, and mixtures thereof; a water soluble organic carboxylic acid that contains at least two hydroxyl groups, exclusive of the hydroxyl groups that are part of any carboxyl groups, per carboxyl group in each acid molecule, the water soluble salts of such acids, and mixtures thereof; a source of phosphate ions; and an organic component selected from the group consisting of tannins and amino-phenolic polymers.

Abstract: Operational problems such as scale and sludge formation which are encountered in phosphating processes using compositions containing zinc and at least one of Ni, Co, or Zn may be alleviated by maintaining an effective level of dissolved iron cations in such compositions.

Abstract: A conversion coating that does not substantially diminish the luster of a metal surface on which it is coated nor impair adhesion to the surface of lacquers and printing inks commonly used on beverage containers may be provided by contacting the metal surface with an aqueous liquid composition comprising water and at least the following components: (A) a component of one or more dissolved transition metal compounds that contain zirconium and may also include titanium, provided that zirconium constitutes more than 30% of the moles of the total moles or zirconium and titanium; (B) a component of at least one dissolved compound that contains inorganically bonded fluorine and is not part of component (A); and (C) a component of dissolved organic polymer molecules.

Abstract: An excellent lubricant and surface conditioner layer on formed metal surfaces, particularly aluminum cans that have been previously provided with a chromium oxide conversion coating, can be formed by contacting the cans with an aqueous lubricant and surface conditioner forming composition that contains at least one oxa acid or methyl ester thereof corresponding to general formula (I):CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.a O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x CH.sub.2 C(O)OR(I),where each of n and x, which may be the same or different, is a positive integer and R represents H or CH.sub.3 and at least 20 weight % of the total content corresponding to general formula (I) does so when x is at least 8, and then drying the thus-treated cans.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly beverage containers, reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature. An aqueous composition for forming the conditioner by contact with metal surfaces includes a water-soluble organic material selected from a phosphate ester, alcohol, fatty acid including mono-, di-, tri-, and polyacids; fatty acid derivatives such as salts, hydroxy acids, amides, esters, ethers and derivatives thereof; and mixtures thereof and at least one of the elements selected from zirconium, titanium, cerium, aluminum, iron, tin, vanadium, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, and hafnium in metallic or ionic form. In order to avoid formation of sludge in the aqueous lubricant and surface conditioner forming composition, the composition should contain as little as possible of materials containing phenanthrene rings, such as conventional surfactants made by ethoxylating rosin.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly aluminum and tin beverage containers, reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature. The conditioner includes a water-soluble organic material selected from amine oxides and quaternary ammonium salts, fluozirconate, fluohafnate, or fluotitanate ion, and preferably also phosphate and nitrate ions. Good resistance to damaging the friction reducing effect by overheating and to staining of the domes of treated containers during pasteurization can be achieved.

Abstract: The coefficient of friction of aluminum can surfaces after alkaline cleaning and drying can be substantially reduced by adding to the alkaline cleaner a mobility enhancing additive, preferably a surface active quaternary ammonium salt with hydroxyethyl substituents on the quaternary nitrogen atoms. A can surface suitable for automatic conveying and high quality lacquer or printing ink adhesion can thereby be obtained, if desired without including any substantial fluoride content in any treatment stage.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly aluminum and tin beverage containers, reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature. The conditioner includes a water-soluble organic material selected from amine oxides and quaternary ammonium salts, fluozirconate, fluohafnate, or fluotitanate ion, and preferably also phosphate and nitrate ions. Good resistance to damaging the friction reducing effect by overheating and to staining of the domes of treated containers during pasteurization can be achieved.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly aluminum and tin beverage containers, reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature. The conditioner includes a water-soluble organic material selected from alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated castor oil triglycerides and hydrogenated castor oil derivatives; alkoxylated and nonoalkoxylated amine salts of a fatty acid including mono-, di-, tri-, and poly-acids; alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated amino fatty acids; alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty amine N-oxides, alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salts, oxa-acid esters, and water-soluble alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated polymers.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly beverage containers, reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature. The conditioner includes a water-soluble organic material selected from a phosphate ester, alcohol, fatty acid including mono-, di-, tri-, and polyacids; fatty acid derivatives such as salts, hydroxy acids, amides, esters, ethers and derivatives thereof; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Processes and alkaline cleaning compositions for cleaning aluminum containers to prevent off-flavor and off-taste in liquid comestible products with which the containers are filled. The processes involve the use of an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution having the following compositions:______________________________________ Ingredient Quantity, g/l ______________________________________ 1. Alkali metal or ammonium carbonate 0.1-0.9 2. Alkali metal or ammonium tripoly- 0.6-7.6 phosphate (anhydrous) 3. Alkali metal or ammonium tetraborate 0.5-6.3 (pentahydrate) 4. Alkali metal or ammonium metasilicate 0.1-0.8 (anhydrous) 5. Tri(alkali metal or ammonium)phosphate 0.4-5.4 (anhydrous) 6. Alkali metal or ammonium gluconate or 0.1-1.3 glucoheptonate 7. Surfactant 0.02-0.

Abstract: In an acidic aqueous coating solution which contains zirconium, hafnium or titanium, and fluoride and which is effective in forming on an aluminum surface a non-chromate coating to which overlying coatings adhere tightly and which is corrosion resistant and resists being discolored when subjected to hot water, the improvement comprising including in said coating solution a combination of surfactants in an amount such that a coating formed from the surfactant-containing coating solution has an improved tendency to resist being discolored by hot water.

Abstract: In an acidic aqueous coating solution which contains zirconium, hafnium or titanium, and fluoride and which is effective in forming on an aluminum surface a non-chromate coating to which overlying coatings adhere tightly and which is corrosion resistant and resists being discolored when subjected to hot water, the improvement comprising including in said coating solution a surfactant in an amount such that a coating formed from the surfactant-containing coating solution has an improved tendency to resist being discolored by hot water.

Abstract: An acidic aqueous coating solution for forming a coating on an aluminum surface which is corrosion resistant and to which overlying coatings adhere excellently. The coating solution contains a zirconium and/or hafnium compound, a fluoride compound, and a polyhydroxy compound having no more than 7 carbon atoms. The coating solution is capable of forming on an aluminum surface a uniformly colorless and clear coating so that the coated surface has the appearance of the underlying metal surface, that is, the coating can be formed without changing the appearance of the metal surface. When coating a bright shiny aluminum surface, there can be produced a coated surface having a uniformly bright shiny appearance which is maintained even after the coated surface is subjected to boiling water. Such surface is capable of undergoing the "muffle test" to confirm the presence of the clear and colorless coating.

Abstract: An acidic aqueous coating solution for forming on an aluminum surface a coating which is corrosion resistant and to which overlying coatings adhere excellently is disclosed. The coating solution contains compounds of zirconium and/or titanium, fluoride and phosphate in dissolved form, and optionally, polyhydroxy compounds having 6 or fewer carbon atoms. The coating solution is capable of forming on an aluminum surface a uniformly colorless and clear coating so that the coated surface has the appearance of the underlying metal surface, that is, the coating can be formed without changing the appearance of the metal surface.