Abstract: A coated substrate and a process for forming the coated substrate, including a first lubricious coating layer overlying the substrate, the first lubricious coating layer including a first lubricant providing to the first lubricious coating layer a first coefficient of friction; and a second lubricious coating layer overlying the first lubricious coating layer, the second lubricious coating layer including a second lubricant providing to the second lubricious coating layer a second coefficient of friction, in which the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A metal piece having an organic coating with improved corrosion resistance and adhesion is described which comprises a zinc or zinc alloy plated metal piece having on its surface, a chromate film deposited from an aqueous acidic chromium solution comprising trivalent chromium as substantially the only chromium ion present, and a cathodic electrocoated siccative organic coating on the chromate film. In one embodiment, the zinc alloy includes a substantial gamma crystallographic phase. A process for obtaining such coated metal pieces also is described.

Abstract: A metal piece having an organic coating with improved corrosion resistance and adhesion is described which comprises a zinc or zinc alloy plated metal piece having on its surface, a chromate film deposited from an aqueous acidic chromium solution comprising trivalent chromium as substantially the only chromium ion present, and a cathodic electrocoated siccative organic coating on the chromate film. A process for obtaining such coated metal pieces also is described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for editing configuration data such that alterations in one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data. The altered configuration data may take effect without having to restart a corresponding program module. Multiple alterations to the configuration data may be consolidated. A differencing operation may be used to identify an altered portion of the configuration data. For one or more altered portions, an “updategram” may be generated and used to update a multiple program modules at various interconnected computer systems. A history of alterations to configuration data also may be maintained, making it possible to revert to an earlier version of the configuration data. Erroneous data may be ignored. Access to updated representations of the configuration data may be provided at a configuration management interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for electrolytically treating a metal surface. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell which includes an anodic chamber, a cathodic chamber, and a divider separating the anodic chamber from the cathodic chamber. The anodic chamber has an anode and contains a conductive anodic medium. The cathodic chamber has, as a cathode, the metal surface to be treated, and contains a conductive cathodic medium including a silica compound. In one embodiment, during operation of the apparatus, the anode remains substantially free of accumulation of foreign materials. In another embodiment, during operation of the apparatus, organic or inorganic compounds in the conductive cathodic medium remain substantially free of oxidation by the anode. In one embodiment, the treating comprises deposition of a silicon-containing mineral on the metal surface.