Abstract: An aqueous, acidic, anti-corrosion conversion coating composition (in particular, an aqueous, acidic Group IV metal-containing anti-corrosion conversion coating composition) for metal substrates comprising as an additive a catechol compound and/or the reaction products of at least one catechol compound and at least one co-reactant compound having one or more functional groups reactive with the at least one catechol compound, desirably the reaction product of a catechol and an polyamine (e.g., a polyethyleneimine), that enhances the anti-corrosion effects of the conversion coating composition; methods of making and applying the conversion coating compositions and coated metal substrates. The catechol-containing conversion coating composition can be applied to metal substrate surfaces at temperatures as low as below 40° C. and with exposure times of 5 minutes or less. The catechol compound or reaction product thereof can become incorporated into the conversion coating formed on the metal substrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling surface reactions on a steel strip running through a furnace includes, successively, a first section, a second section, and a third section separated by a sealing element, an atmosphere in the second and third sections being oxidizing and reducing respectively, the method including: heating, in the first section, the steel strip to between 600 and 750° C., while causing the atmosphere therein to be slightly oxidizing and to include: an H2 content inferior to 2%; an O2 content inferior to 0.1%; an H2O or CO2, or H2O+CO2 content superior to 0.03%; a controlled dew point ranging from ?50 to ?15° C.; and a controlled concentration of CO+CO2 maintained below 2%. All percentages are expressed in terms of volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a humic acid-based coating suspension comprising humic acid, particles of an anti-corrosive pigment or sacrificial metal, and a binder resin dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium, wherein the humic acid has a weight fraction from 0.1% to 50% based on the total coating suspension weight excluding the liquid medium. Also provided is an object or structure coated at least in part with such a coating.

Abstract: The invention discloses a self-derivative iron-containing nickel anode for alkaline water electrolysis and its preparation method. The anode comprises a nickel substrate and catalytic material layer. The catalytic layer is disposed on and integrated with the surface of the nickel substrate. The catalytic layer contains nickel oxide with iron components. The nickel oxide results from the reaction of the surface layer of the nickel substrate with an oxidant-rich alkaline solution and forms a nanosheet array layer. A nickel-oxidation state containing the iron component is formed by electrochemically induced iron-ion corrosion of the nickel-oxidation state. The invention can effectively reduce the potential difference between the anode and cathode of an electrolysis cell, thereby significantly reduces energy consumption and improves the efficiency of water electrolysis.

Abstract: A method for coating metallic surfaces with aqueous compositions, wherein a silane-based aqueous composition containing at least one silane and/or a related silicon-containing compound and optionally additional components is treated further, for example, at temperatures above 70° C., in a pretreatment step without drying the coating, by using at least one aqueous rinse step after this pretreatment step and then performing an electrodeposition coating, in which at least one surfactant is added at least in the last rinse step of the aqueous rinse steps. Coated metallic surfaces are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a catalyst, comprising the following steps: (1) taking a noble metal salt solution A, adding a modified alumina support material, stirring until uniform and standing; (2) drying the material obtained in step (1) in a vacuum, and calcining at 500° C.-600° C. for 1-4 hours to obtain a powder material containing the noble metal; (3) mixing the noble metal powder material, an adhesive and other components to be added, and ball-milling to obtain a uniform slurry; (4) preparing a noble metal solution B and adjusting pH to 0.5-1; and (5) mixing the slurry of the step (3) with the noble metal solution B, coating the mixture on a support, drying, and calcining at 500° C.-600° C. for 1-2 hours to obtain the target product. The method for preparing the catalyst of the present invention is simple, the conditions of the preparation process are easy to control and the preparation method has strong practicality.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sintered Fe—Al based alloy porous material with high temperature oxidation resistance and a filter element using same. The porous material has a porosity of 30-60% and an average pore diameter of 0.5-50 ?m, and has that: a) it mainly consists of three elements of Fe, Al and Cr, and the total weight of these three elements accounts for at least 90% of the weight of the porous material, wherein the weight of Fe is 60-85% of the total weight of Fe and Al, and the weight of Cr is 10-30% of the total weight of Fe, Al and Cr; b) the Cr in the porous material mainly presents in the form of a chromium compound of a Fe—Al based compound, or mainly presents in the form of a chromium compound of the Fe—Al based compound and FeCr, and is almost uniformly dispersed in the porous material; and c) it has a tensile strength?45 MPa, an air flux?80 m3/m2·KPa·h for the sintered Fe—Al based alloy porous material with a thickness?5 mm, a weight loss rate of at most 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating metallic surfaces with a composition containing at least one of a silane, silanol, siloxane or polysiloxane that is capable of condensation, water and optionally an organic solvent. The composition also contains compound containing Ti, Hf, Zr, Al or B; and at least one type of cation or an organic compound d) selected from monomers, oligomers, polymers, copolymers and block copolymers. The coating freshly applied with this composition is rinsed with a fluid and is not dried thoroughly before this rinsing step so that the compound capable of condensation does not condense substantially before the rinsing step.

Abstract: The present invention improves the performance of each lead battery, and simultaneously to establish overall balance, by inspecting the degradation state of each lead battery and performing the most suitable treatment while maintaining a state in which lead batteries are energized. This performance improvement method is for stationary lead batteries configuring a battery assembly which connects the terminals of the multiple lead batteries by means of a conducting plate, and involves a step for performing checks for inspection operations of the lead batteries, a step for measuring the internal electrical conductivity of each lead battery with the lead batteries still being in a normal use state, and a step for adding an electrolyte and purified water according to the state of each of the lead battery.

Abstract: Provided is a method for regenerating a nitric acid active treatment solution comprising: adding a zinc ion-aggregating agent to a nitric acid active treatment solution for a surface of a zinc-based material plated metal member, the nitric acid active treatment solution containing zinc ions, to thereby aggregate the zinc ions in the solution as an insoluble salt; and separating and removing the insoluble salt.

Abstract: A surface-treated steel sheet for a container, comprising: a steel sheet, and a Zr compound film disposed on the steel sheet, wherein the Zr compound film being formed by a dipping or electrolytic treatment in a solution containing Zr ion, F ion, ammonium ion and nitrate ion; and the coating weight of the Zr compound film is 1 to 100 mg/m2 in terms of the amount of metallic Zr, and 0.1 mg/m2 or less in terms of the F amount. There is provided a steel sheet for container, which has an excellent processability in the can manufacturing, and at the same time, is excellent in drawing and ironing processability, weldability, corrosion resistance, adherence thereof to a coating material and adherence thereof to a film, and a process for producing such a steel sheet for container.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions useful as pretreatments prior to painting and to prevent the formation of white rust in the uncoated condition include an organopolyphosphonic acid or salt thereof, an organosilane, and a trivalent chromium compound. A method for treating a surface of a zinc-containing metal includes contacting the surface with an aqueous composition including an organopolyphosphonic acid or salt thereof, an organosilane, and a trivalent chromium compound. The composition may also include an agent for reducing hydrophilicity, such as a polyacrylic acid. The aqueous composition has been found to be particularly well-suited for treating a zinc-containing metal to passivate the surface, improve paint adhesion, and/or improve corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blackening treatment method for a black Cr—Co alloy plating film, the method comprising bringing a black Cr—Co alloy plating film having a Cr content of 1 to 15 wt. % into contact with a blackening treatment solution comprising an aqueous solution with a pH value of ?1 to 5. According to the present invention, the blackish color of a less blackish plating film formed from a plating bath containing trivalent chromium is enhanced to further improve decorativeness. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the film can be more improved by performing electrolytic chromate treatment after blackening treatment.

Abstract: An acidic chromium-free solution for treating a metal surface containing: a vanadium cation source and/or a vanadyl cation source; an organic acid as an anion source; and at least one oxoacid as another anion source is provided. The oxoacid is selected from oxoacids of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine. A metal component composed of, for example, aluminum or magnesium is brought into contact with the chromium-free solution to form a vanadium coating film of a surface of the metal component. A surface treating process using this chromium-free solution is useful for formation of a coating film having low corrosion resistance and low electric resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed are replenisher compositions and methods of replenishing pretreatment compositions. The methods include adding a replenisher composition to a pretreatment composition wherein the replenisher composition includes: (a) a dissolved complex metal fluoride ion wherein the metal ion comprises a Group IIIA metal, Group IVA metal, Group IVB metal, or combinations thereof; (b) a component comprising an oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate of Group IIIA, Group IVA, Group IVB metals, or combinations thereof; and optionally (c) a dissolved metal ion comprising a Group IB metal, Group IIB metal, Group VIIB metal, Group VIII metal, Lanthanide Series metal, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the application of an aqueous treatment solution onto the surface of a steel strip that is moved, at a prespecified strip speed, in a direction of movement of the strip, with the following steps: drying of the moving steel strip with a gas flow; application of the aqueous solution on at least one surface of the steel strip with a rotary sprayer with several spray rotors that are situated next to one another, transverse to the direction of movement of the strip, to which the aqueous treatment solution is supplied and which are rotated by a drive, so as to spray the treatment solution, as a result of centrifugal force, in the form of a spray jet, onto the surface of the steel strip and, there, to form a wet film of the aqueous treatment solution; equalization of the applied wet film of the aqueous treatment solution by driven smoothing rollers; and drying of the applied wet film of the aqueous treatment solution.

Abstract: A process for passivation of strip steel plate, having the following steps: electrochemical treatment of the black plate by passing the black plate through an electrolyte to form an inert steel surface; rinsing the black plate; and application of an aqueous chromium-free treatment solution to at least one surface of the black plate to form a conversion layer that protects against corrosion and an adhesion layer for paints and organic coating materials. The black plate treated in accordance with this process is characterized by high corrosion resistance and has good bonding capacity for paints and organic coatings and therefore is very suitable as a substitute for tin-free steel (TFS or ECCS) and tinplate for the production of packagings, in particular cans. In contrast to the traditional manufacturing and passivation processes for tin-free steel and tinplate, no chromium VI, which is environmentally hazardous and hazardous to health, is used in this process.

Abstract: A metal surface treatment method for a metal base material in order to improve the uniformity of a cathodic electrodeposition coating film, the method including: a surface treatment step for forming a chemical conversion film on a metal base material by contacting the metal base material with a metal surface treatment composition including zirconium and/or titanium ions and an adhesive imparting agent characterized in being at least one selected from the group consisting of (A) silicon-containing compound, (B) adhesive imparting metal ion, and (C) adhesive imparting resin; and a heating/drying step to heat and dry the metal base material, on which the chemical conversion film is formed, at 60° C. to 190° C. for at least 30 seconds.

Abstract: A slurry and slurry coating process for forming a diffusion aluminide coating on a substrate, including internal surfaces within the substrate. The process involves preparing a slurry of a powder containing a metallic aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than aluminum, an activator capable of forming a reactive halide vapor with the metallic aluminum, and a binder containing an organic polymer. The slurry is applied to surfaces of the substrate, which is then heated to burn off the binder, vaporize and react the activator with the metallic aluminum to form the halide vapor, react the halide vapor at the substrate surfaces to deposit aluminum on the surfaces, and diffuse the deposited aluminum into the surfaces to form a diffusion aluminide coating. The process can be tailored to selectively produce an inward or outward-type coating. The binder burns off to form an ash residue that can be readily removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wet-chemical pretreatment of zinc surfaces prior to applying a corrosion-protection coating, which deposits a thin inorganic coating of oxide and/or metallic iron. An iron layer structure which is applied according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as ferrization, improves the achievable corrosion protection of wet-chemical conversion coatings on zinc surfaces. Furthermore, the ferrization process causes both a reduction of the contact corrosion of joined metal components which have zinc and iron surfaces as well as a reduction of corrosive coating migration on cut edges of galvanized steel strips with coating layer structures. In particular, the invention relates to an alkaline composition containing an iron ion source, a reducing agent based on oxoacids of nitrogen and phosphorus, and water-soluble organic carboxylic acids with an amino group at the ?, ?, or ? position with respect to the acid group and/or the water-soluble salts thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface treatment agent for galvanized steel sheets, which comprises epoxy-containing silane derivates, alkyl-containing silane derivates, alkoxy silane derivates and one or more selected from the group consisting of a cationic polymer aqueous dispersion, a non-ionic polymer aqueous dispersion and a water-soluble polymer. Also disclosed is a method for producing it, which comprises mixing each component uniformly for 0.5 to 8 hours at 5 to 70° C. Further provided are galvanized steel sheets coated with the surface treatment agent on the surface and a production method thereof. The surface treatment agent for galvanized steel sheets has excellent corrosion resistance, alkali resistance, solvent resistance, recoating property, high temperature resistance and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal substrate with a white to off-white or gray colored autodeposited coating comprising water, polymeric resin, HF and pigment particles comprising a core of titanium dioxide, an intermediate zirconia and/or alumina layer, and an outer organic layer, optionally the particles are treated with an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A method of superfinishing a large hollow wheel gear in a vibratory bowl having a center hub comprises at least partially filling the vibratory bowl with an amount of finishing media, laying the gear horizontally into the bowl over the center hub, supplying a quantity of an active chemistry into the bowl and agitating the vibratory bowl at a frequency such that the gear settles into and is fully supported by the media. By controlling the process parameters, the hollow wheel gear may be caused to rotate in the media and can be made to float at a desired level. The method is particularly suitable for hollow wheel gears for large wind turbines.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating metal substrates that include contacting the metal with pretreatment compositions comprising: (a) a group IIIB metal, a group IVB metal and/or a group VB metal; and (b) a rheology modifier composition.

Abstract: A process for surface treating aluminum or aluminum alloy comprises the following steps. Providing a substrate made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The substrate is treated with a chemical conversion treatment solution containing molybdate as the main film forming agent, to form a molybdate conversion film on the substrate. Then, a ceramic coating comprising refractory compound is formed on the molybdate conversion film by physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods of treating metal surfaces to enhance adhesion or binding to substrates, and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments of the present invention, methods of achieving improved bonding strength without roughening the topography of a metal surface are provided. The metal surface obtained by this method provides strong bonding to resin layers. The bonding interface between the treated metal and the resin layer exhibits resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals involved in post-lamination process steps, and therefore can suitably be used in the production of PCB's. Methods according to some embodiments of the present invention are especially useful in the fabrication of high density multilayer PCB's, in particular for PCB's having circuits with line/spacing of equal to and less than 10 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromium-free aqueous agent based on water-soluble compounds of titanium and/or zirconium and a source of fluoride ions, copper ions and metal ions selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, aluminum, boron, zinc, iron, manganese and/or tungstene and to a method for the anti-corrosive conversion treatment of metal surfaces. The chromium-free aqueous agent is suitable for the treatment of various metal materials, joined in composite structures, amongst others of steel or galvanized steel or the alloys thereof or any combinations of said materials. Furthermore, surfaces of aluminum and alloys thereof can be treated in an anti-corrosive manner using the agent according to the invention. The anti-corrosive treatment is intended in particular as a pretreatment for a subsequent dip-coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous composition and to a method for the anticorrosion conversion treatment of metallic surfaces, particularly metallic materials which are assembled into composite structures, comprising steel or galvanized or alloy-galvanized steel and any combinations of these materials, the composite structure being composed at least in part of aluminum or the alloys thereof. The aqueous composition according to the invention is based on a phosphating solution and contains, in addition to water-soluble compounds of zirconium and titanium, a quantity of free fluoride in a ratio that both permits phosphating of the steel and galvanized and/or alloy-galvanized steel surfaces and determines low pickling rates with regard to the aluminum substrate with simultaneous passivation of the aluminum.

Abstract: An agent for the production of anti-corrosion layers on metal surfaces is produced by producing an aqueous solution, which contains at least oxo-cations and halogen complex anions, and forming nanoparticles in the solution in situ by physical and/or chemical treatment of the solution. The oxo-cations are selected from MnO3+, VO3+, VO2+, WO22+, MoO22+, TiO2+, ZrO2+ and mixtures thereof, and the halogen complex anions have the structure MXab?, wherein M is selected from B, Ti, Zr, Si, Al, X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, a is an integer of between 3 and 6 and b is an integer of between 1 and 4. The nanoparticles have a mean particle diameter of <500 nm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high strength galvanized steel sheet has a first heating step including heating to 400° C. to 750° C. in an atmosphere containing O2: 0.1 to 20 percent and H2O: 1 to 50 percent and heating to 600° C. to 850° C. in an atmosphere containing O2: 0.01 to less than 0.1 percent and H2O: 1 to 20 percent is applied to a steel sheet, a second heating step includes holding the steel sheet in an atmosphere containing H2: 1 to 50 percent and having a dew point of 0° C. or lower at 750° C. to 900° C. for 15 to 600 s, cooling to a temperature of 450° C. to 550° C., and holding is performed at that temperature for 10 to 200 s, and a galvanization treatment is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates a recombinant Clostridium expressing one or more heterologous Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) genes. In particular, the recombinant Clostridium produces a metabolite at an increased level. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a metabolite by the recombinant Clostridium.

Abstract: A non-chromate conversion coating for copper or other alloys. The conversion coating is composed of hydrotalcite-like compound (HTlcs). The conversion coating adheres well with the alloys, and provides excellent corrosion protection. In addition, corrosion inhibitive species were incorporated into the coating. The coating with inhibitors incorporated showed damage-responsive properties. The corrosion protection property of the conversion coating was further enhanced through applying a surface sealer. The coating has applicability in industrial heat exchangers that use reclaimed water.

Abstract: A chromium-free aqueous treatment solution for coating metal surfaces is described. The treatment solution contains fluorocomplex ions of titanium and/or zirconium and molybdate ions, vanadium ions and one or more aromatic carboxylic acids with at least one carboxyl groups and at least two further functional groups, wherein the two further functional groups are selected from the group comprising carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, amino groups and nitro groups.

Abstract: Methods of reducing an initial cross-sectional area of a hole in a component to a predetermined cross-sectional area including preparing a composition comprising at least an aluminum alloy with a melting temperature higher than aluminum, applying the composition to an interior surface of the hole, and then heating the component to cause a metal within the component to diffuse from the component into the composition and react with the aluminum alloy in the composition to form a coating on the interior surface of the hole. The heating step is performed to selectively modify the initial cross-sectional area of the hole and thereby directly attain the predetermined cross-sectional area thereof.

Abstract: A chemically etched two dimensional matrix symbol is provided on a substrate. The substrate may be metal or plastic. In another embodiment, a process is described for forming a plurality of two dimensional matrix symbols at the same time in batches. The two dimensional data matrix symbol comprises a substrate, a plurality of grooves and a plurality of raised areas and a plurality of ink spots disposed in the grooves according to a predefined code. The matrix is readable by a scanning device.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for forming a chemical conversion layer on a metal surface, wherein the composition contains at least one active component for the formation of the chemical conversion layer, as well as at least one thickener, and has a viscosity in the range between 10 mPa*s and 10000 mPa*s.

Abstract: A method for protecting a surface of an article includes preparing or otherwise providing a reactive solution of a form of polyaniline and an acid, thereafter applying the reactive solution to the surface of the article to form an adherent conversion coating on the surface, thereafter oxidizing the adherent conversion coating to form an oxidized coating, and thereafter contacting a chromate-free, corrosion inhibiting organic compound such as a salt of a dithiocarbamate or a salt of a dimercaptothiadiazole to the oxidized coating to form a fixed conversion coating on the surface of the article. The resulting article has the fixed conversion coating adhered to the surface of the article. The fixed conversion coating has a mixture of a reduced polyaniline salt, and a fixed disulfur-linked dithiocarbamate polymer or dimer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the corrosion-protecting pre-treatment of metal surfaces and using rinse water in a manner to conserve resources in such a corrosion-protecting pre-treatment, comprising a conversion treatment step using an aqueous composition comprising at least 50 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds at a pH value of 3 to 5.5, wherein a minimum fraction of 10 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds is present in the last pre-rinse step and a portion of the aqueous composition of the conversion treatment step is contained in the first post-rinse step. The resource-conserving use of the rinse water is accomplished according to the invention by way of a cascaded return of rinse water from the last rinse step to the first rinse step.

Abstract: A flat steel product, intended to be formed into a component by hot press forming and having a base made of steel, onto which a metal anti-corrosion coating of a Zn or a Zn alloy is applied. A separate finishing coat is applied to at least one of the free surfaces of the flat steel product. The finishing coat includes at least one base metal compound (oxide, nitride, sulphide, sulphate, carbide, carbonate, fluoride, hydrate, hydroxide, or phosphate). Also, a method enabling the production of a flat steel product of this kind.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface treatment method for an aluminum alloy and a surface treatment method for a magnesium alloy, which enable providing the surface of an aluminum alloy containing magnesium or the surface of a magnesium alloy with sufficient corrosion resistance to corrosive gases, while preventing the surface from scattering magnesium therefrom even when used in a vacuum at a temperature of not less than 300° C. In this method, a carbon fluoride compound is applied over the surface of the aluminum alloy containing magnesium or the surface of the magnesium alloy, followed by heating in an oxygen atmosphere, thereby forming a fluoride passivation film.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the corrosion behavior of cast magnesium alloy articles in which the magnesium alloy comprises an average composition of more than about 5 per cent by weight of aluminum. A microstructure with regions of varying aluminum content is developed during solidification. The microstructure comprises magnesium-rich grains generally surrounded by an aluminum-enriched phase on the boundaries between adjacent grains. The magnesium-rich grain interiors are then selectively chemically or electrochemically attacked to leave a more corrosion resistant aluminum-enriched surface on the articles. The corrosion resistance of the articles may be further enhanced by one or more of anodizing, aluminizing or painting the corrosion-resistant aluminum-enriched surface.

Abstract: A tin or tin alloy plating film surface treatment aqueous solution that can reduce whiskers on the surface of a tin or tin alloy plating film, and can provide a favorable tin or tin alloy plating film using a simple method for tin or tin alloy plating films that are used on electronic components.

Abstract: Process for passivating metallic surfaces, and a preparation suitable for implementing the process, comprising at least water, an acid, and a copolymer of functionalized (meth)acrylic esters, monomers containing phosphoric and/or phosphonic acid groups, monomers having COOH groups, and, if appropriate, further monomers. Copolymer which comprises said monomers.

Abstract: A process for surface treatment of aluminium foils includes steps of applying an etching solution to chemically etch at least one surface of the foil to form an etched surface, and forming an aluminium oxidized coating on the etched surface. The etching solution comprises an aqueous solution which includes hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and sulfuric, orthophosphoric or nitric acid.

Abstract: A magnetic storage and retrieval system and a manufacturing technique thereof are disclosed herein. A chemical reaction is triggered upon a surface of each Metallic layer of a plurality of metallic layers disposed on a substrate. It is also determined whether a metallic material of the surface has transformed to a new metallic material that is more chemically resistant than the metallic material.

Abstract: A method of surface treating a separator plate of a fuel cell comprises reacting the separator plate with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide comprises one or more salts of one or more transition metals. The one or more transition metals have variable oxidation states. This method makes the surface of the separator plate hydrophilic (˜35 deg contact angle of water) and improves its electrical conductivity. The method of surface treating a separator plate (e.g., a graphite and/or graphite composite plate) of a fuel cell can further comprise a method of modifying wettability of the separator plate comprising treating the separator plate with a solution comprising one or more silanes. In another embodiment, a method of modifying wettability of a separator plate (e.g.

Abstract: In a process which is before a treatment process of forming a chemical conversion, TiO2 fine particles as an electron releasing-related substance (electron releasing substance) are attached onto a surface of a vehicle body. Then, a chemical conversion treatment is applied to the vehicle body having the TiO2 fine particles attached thereto. Thereby, an energy band gap of a finally-formed chemical conversion film can be smaller than that of a chemical conversion film formed by using only a chemical conversion treatment agent. Accordingly, the number of electrons (free electrons) which can be supplied onto the surface of a chemical conversion film can be increased during a voltage application in an electrodeposition coating process, and reducing reaction at a cathode can be promoted.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to accept an adherent coating thereon is provided. The method includes the steps of degreasing the substrate, deoxidizing the substrate, and providing a prepaint conversion coating on the degreased and deoxidized substrate. The prepaint conversion coating composition comprises i) a source of fluoride ions; ii) a source of zirconium ions; iii) an acrylic resin; and iv) an optical brightener and forms a colorless, chromium-free conversion coating on the aluminum substrate that can be observed by exposing the treated substrate to UV light.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multilayered protective coating and use thereof, the protective coating comprising of at least an inner silane layer and an outer parylene layer, for protecting metallic surfaces of implant materials from corrosion processes and release of heavy metal ions from implant into a patient's organism.