Abstract: A steel sheet coated with a coating comprising from 10 to 40% of nickel, the balance being zinc, such steel sheet having a microstructure comprising from 1 to 50% of residual austenite, from 1 to 60% of martensite and optionally at least one element chosen from: bainite, ferrite, cementite and pearlite, and the following chemical composition in weight: 0.10<C<0.50%, 1.0<Mn<5.0%, 0.7<Si<3.0%, 0.05<Al<1.0%, 0.75<(Si+Al)<3.0% and on a purely optional basis, one or more elements such as Nb?0.5%, B?0.005%, Cr?1.0%, Mo?0.50%, Ni?1.0%, Ti?0.5%, the remainder of the composition making up of iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the elaboration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a die paddle, a plurality of electrically conductive leads extending away from the die paddle, and an adhesion promoter plating material selectively formed on the electrically conductive leads such that outer portions of the leads are covered by the adhesion promoter plating material, and interior portions of the leads that are disposed between the die paddle and the respective outer portions of each lead are substantially devoid of the adhesion promoter plating material.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods for the continuous application of nanolaminated materials by electrodeposition.

Abstract: This present invention provides a flexible circuit board substrate including: a conductive material layer with a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and at least one via hole throughout the first surface and the second surface; a first surface-treated layer with a plurality of first particles and a plurality of second particles formed on the first surface and/or the second surface, wherein each first particle has a diameter greater than that of each second particle; and an insulating structure formed on the first surface-treated layer and filled up with the via hole, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A surface-treated steel sheet includes: a steel sheet; and a coated layer which is formed on one surface or both surfaces of the steel sheet and includes zinc and vanadium, wherein the coated layer has a vanadium content of 1% or higher and 20% or less and a coating weight of 3 g/m2 or higher and 40 g/m2 or less, and has a plurality of dendritic arms that are grown in a thickness direction of the steel sheet, and a ratio x/y of a content x of vanadium that is present outside the arms to a content y of vanadium that is present inside the arms is 1.1 or higher and 3.0 or less in terms of vanadium element.

Abstract: A zinc-based metal plated steel sheet is excellent in tribological properties during press forming. An oxide layer containing crystalline 3Zn(OH)2·ZnSO4·xH2O is formed on a plated surface. The oxide layer has a thickness of 10 nm or more. The crystalline oxide layer is composed of 3Zn(OH)2·ZnSO4·3-5H2O.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating carbon dioxide to generate methanol. In the process, a strip of copper base plate is transported by the groups of rotating drive rollers to deposit porous metallic zinc on the copper base plate. Hydrogen is generated from the porous metallic zinc upon electrochemical reactions in the inner space sealed with the above groups of rollers. Simultaneously, zinc oxide and copper oxide catalysts are formed on the porous metallic zinc. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the sealed inner space under high-temperature and high-pressure to generate methanol by hydrogenation.

Abstract: The process according to the invention makes it possible to deposit a transparent conductive oxide film on a toughened glass substrate placed inside a chamber. It consists in providing sources containing an oxygen-based liquid compound, a liquid compound of the metal intended to form the oxide, and a dopant in gaseous or liquid form, respectively; establishing a temperature between 130 and 300° C. and a pressure between 0.01 and 2 mbar in the chamber; and then bringing said sources into communication with the chamber, which has the effect of vaporizing the liquids at their surface, of drawing them up into the chamber without having to use a carrier gas, and of making them react therein with the dopant so that the oxide layer is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and at least one roller of the plurality of rollers has a mechanism for limiting deformation of the web within Y/E, and a web conveying method using a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and the web is conveyed while the deformation of the web is limited within Y/E by a mechanism that is provided for at least one roller of the plurality of rollers. The apparatus and the method prevent meandering of the web.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a zinc oxide film comprising the steps of transporting a conductive long substrate via above at least one electrode comprised of zinc in an electrodeposition bath held in an electrodeposition tank and applying an electric field between the electrode and the conductive long substrate, thereby forming a zinc oxide film on the conductive long substrate, the process comprising a first step of forming the zinc oxide film on a part of the conductive long substrate; a second step of stopping the application of the electric field and the transportation; and a third step of bringing at least a region of a part of the conductive long substrate being in contact with the electrodeposition bath in the second step into non-contact with the electrodeposition bath, and an apparatus suitably used for the process. The process and apparatus enables high-quality zinc oxide films to be produced.

Abstract: The invention provides a pretreatment process for electroplating aluminum parts or strip, in which the zincating solution is modified to improve the adhesion of the subsequent electroplate to the substrate. The aluminum part or strip, such as an aluminum coin blank or strip for coin blanks, is pretreated with an improved zincate solution which provides hydroxide ions in an amount in the range of 75-175 gpl, zinc ions in an amount in the range of 15-40 gpl, nickel ions in an amount in the range of 2-10 gpl and copper ions in an amount in the range of 1.5-5 gpl. The pretreatment process preferably includes a copper strike applied from a copper cyanide strike bath at a pH in the range of 8.5-11.0, using a current density in the range of 0.1-10 A/dm2. The pretreatment and electroplating steps are preferably conducted by barrel plating, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrodeposition process comprising the steps of transporting a substrate in an electrodeposition bath, and forming a film on the substrate, which process further comprises the step of removing particles from the surface of the substrate; and an electrodeposition apparatus comprising an electrodeposition tank for holding therein an electrodeposition bath, a mechanism for transporting a continuous-length-substrate while holding the substrate thereon, and an opposing electrode, which apparatus further comprises a mechanism for removing particles from the surface of the continuous-length substrate. These can provide a process and an apparatus by and in which dust in the bath or any particles due to film-peeling from electrodes can be prevented from causing difficulties such as impact marks in a film-deposited substrate during its transport, to form a good-quality electrodeposited film.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a surface-treated copper foil capable of consistently attaining a percent loss of peel strength in resistance against hydrochloric acid degradation of 10% or less as measured on a copper pattern prepared from the copper foil and having a line width of 0.2 mm, by bringing out the maximum effect of the silane coupling agent employed in brass-plated anti-corrosive copper foil. The Another object is to impart excellent moisture resistance to the surface-treated copper foil.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a surface-treated copper foil capable of consistently attaining a percent loss in peel strength against hydrochloric acid degradation of 10% or less as measured on a copper pattern prepared from the copper foil and having a line width of 0.2 mm, by bringing out the maximum effect of the silane coupling agent employed in zinc-plated or zinc-alloy-plated anti-corrosive copper foil. Another object is to impart excellent moisture resistance, heat resistance, and long-term storage stability to the surface-treated copper foil.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is a method of producing a thin film of zinc oxide, which comprises immersing a counter electrode and a conductive substrate as a negative electrode in an aqueous solution containing nitrate ions and 0.05 mol/liter or more of zinc ions, and passing a current between the counter electrode and the conductive substrate to electrochemically deposit zinc oxide on the conductive substrate from the aqueous solution, thereby forming a thin film of zinc oxide, wherein a film forming rate of the thin film is varied at least one time midway during an electrolytic deposition reaction for forming the thin film.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a zinc oxide film comprising the steps of transporting a conductive long substrate via above at least one electrode comprised of zinc in an electrodeposition bath held in an electrodeposition tank and applying an electric field between the electrode and the conductive long substrate, thereby forming a zinc oxide film on the conductive long substrate, the process comprising a first step of forming the zinc oxide film on a part of the conductive long substrate; a second step of stopping the application of the electric field and the transportation; and a third step of bringing at least a region of a part of the conductive long substrate being in contact with the electrodeposition bath in the second step into non-contact with the electrodeposition bath, and an apparatus suitably used for the process. The process and apparatus enables high-quality zinc oxide films to be produced.

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to composite particles for composite dispersion plating used for forming a self-lubricating composite dispersion coating and a method of plating using such composite particles as well as a plating (coating) using the same. The purpose of the invention is to obtain a composite particle for composite dispersion plating which is comprised of a particle with an excellent capability of reducing the friction and a low or very low specific gravity, and a method of plating using such composite particles. In this invention, each of the composite particles includes a friction-reducing mother or core particle (1) encapsulated with shell particles (2) comprised of the same components as a base metal of a composite dispersion plating bath (5). This provides a composite particle for composite dispersion plating which is comprised of a particle with an excellent capability of reducing the friction and a low or very low specific gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing metal foil, comprising a drum cathode having an outer plating surface. The drum cathode is partially immersed to a set level in an electrolyte bath and is rotatable in a fixed direction about a generally horizontal axis. A main anode assembly having a main anode is immersed in the electrolyte bath, the main anode having a semi-cylindrical curved anode surface facing the drum cathode. The main anode is dimensioned to be spaced from the plating surface of the drum cathode so as to define a generally uniform gap therebetween. An energy source is connected to the main anode for energizing the main anode. A chamber containing an electrolyte solution is disposed above the electrolyte bath and adjacent the cathode drum where the cathode drum exits the electrolyte bath. A treatment anode is immersed in the electrolyte solution in the chamber adjacent the drum cathode. An energy source is connected to the treatment anode for energizing the treatment anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and at least one roller of the plurality of rollers has a mechanism for limiting deformation of the web within Y/E, and a web conveying method using a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and the web is conveyed while the deformation of the web is limited within Y/E by a mechanism that is provided for at least one roller of the plurality of rollers. The apparatus and the method prevent meandering of the web.

Abstract: A simplified process and apparatus for electrodepositing a bond-enhancing copper treatment layer on a surface of copper foil, preferably wherein a single treatment layer is uniformly applied on raw copper foil using a current density of from about 40 to about 100 A/ft2, a plating time of greater than 30 seconds, and the electrolyte is a copper sulfate-sulfuric acid solution containing arsenic, chloride ions and 2 imidazalidinethione. The raw foil is transferred to a station for applying the treatment directly from a rotating drum cathode machine on which it is produced, at the same speed at which the raw foil is produced, and then to a barrier layer station, a stainproofing station and a chemical adhesion promoter station, after which it is dried and coiled.

Abstract: Method and appartus suitable for forming promptly a phosphate film of excellent performance for cold drawing on the steel wires are disclosed. The steel wires are descaled by cathodic electrolysis in acid solution, and thereafter, phosphate film are formed by cathodic electrolysis on the steel wires. Contacting with the solution containing colloidal titanium are preferable to be carried out between cathodic descaling process and phosphate film forming process. Descaling of cathodic electrolysis may preferably be performed in acid solution at a temperature of lower than 90° C. and in 1˜100 A/dm2. Phosphate film forming may preferably be performed by using electrolyte containing Zn ion, phosphoric acid ion and nitric acid ion, at a temperature of lower than 90° C., in 1˜100 A/dm2 and for 1˜30 seconds.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal strip using a coating metal, in particular for coating a steel strip using zinc or a zinc/nickel compound, by means of at least one electroplating cell through which current flows and which contains an electrolyte through which the metal strip is passed, the current effecting the deposition of a layer of coating metal on the metal strip, and the current being controlled by a so-called monitor controller that has a process model and a controller part. The current is controlled in such a way that a layer of a desired thickness is deposited on the metal strip, the controller part being adjusted to the altered state of the coating plant in the event of changes in the state of the coating plant, in particular when a new metal strip enters or the coating falls below a minimum intended layer thickness.

Abstract: A bath of pH higher than 4 containing more than 1 mole/liter of Zn.sup.++ ions and at least one polyethylene glycol polymer of the general formula R.sup.1 --O(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --R.sup.2, in which n.ltoreq.13 and in which the concentration of polymer in the bath is adapted to incorporate in the coat an organic compound having a content by weight greater than 0.1%, expressed as weight of carbon per unit weight of the coat. The bath is adapted to high current densities, and the coat applied on the steel sheet imparts both a leveling effect and an improvement of corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a zinc oxide film on a sheet substrate including a tank containing an aqueous electrolytic solution containing at least nitrate ions and zinc ions, conveyer means for continuously feeding and conveying an elongated electroconductive sheet substrate having two major surfaces in a direction while dipping a lengthwise portion of the sheet substrate in the electrolytic solution, a counter electrode immersed in the electrolytic solution so as to be opposite to the lengthwise portion of the sheet substrate, and a power supply disposed so as to pass a current between the sheet substrate and the counter electrode, wherein the conveyer means include a plurality of rollers and an endless belt wound about the rollers so as to have a conveyer surface contacting and covering one of the major surfaces of the lengthwise portion of the sheet substrate dipped in the electrolytic solution while moving together with the sheet substrate.

Abstract: A wire, generally made of steel and used to make composite elements of elastomeric material, is submitted to an electrodeposition process in an electrolytic bath for being coated with a zinc/cobalt alloy in which the average cobalt content is lower than 1%. In the coating thickness made of the zinc/cobalt alloy, different cobalt concentrations exist, that is a 1% to 3% concentration at the area close to the metal wire and a concentration as low as 0.5% maximum at the overlying area. Adhesion promoters for example consisting of cobalt neodecanate, added to the elastomeric material, promote the adhesion of said elastomeric material to the wire.

Abstract: An electrogalvanizing process, in which a strip is moved past an anode, plating solution is made to flow at a speed V with respect to the moving strip, and an electric current of current density J greater than 50 A/dm.sup.2 is passed between the strip and the anode, which comprises carrying out the deposition under conditions such that:J/J.sub.lim is less than or equal to 0.15;J.sup.2 /J.sub.lim is less than or equal to 22 A/dm.sup.2 ;where J.sub.lim is the limiting current density, corresponding to the current density plateau in the current versus potential curve characteristic of the plating solution flowing at the speed V in the vicinity of the strip. An electroplating cell of the radial type for implementing the process, in which cell the anode bed is continuous, is disclosed. The process facilitates the high-speed deposition of zinc which has low rugosity and is free of edge dendrites.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device comprising a metal layer, a first transparent conductive layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second transparent conductive layer sequentially stacked on a substrate comprising iron, comprises the steps of forming the metal layer by electro-deposition of the metal layer from a solution and forming the first transparent conductive layer by electro-deposition of the first transparent conductive layer from a solution.

Abstract: A post plating or post coating method for improving formability and weldability properties in sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof. The steps of the method comprise immersing the sheet steel product into a bath containing at least zinc to apply the protective layer, removing the sheet steel product from the bath, the sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof, and applying an alkaline solution to the protective layer to form a zinc oxide layer thereon, the alkaline solution being applied at a location outside the bath.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a new method for producing a three dimensional object, particularly suited to microfabrication applications. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate with a conducting interface, an electrode having a feature or features that are small relative to the substrate, and a solution. The solution has a reactant that will either etch the substrate or deposit a selected material in an electrochemical reaction. The electrode feature is placed close to but spaced from the interface. A current is passed between the electrode and the interface, through the solution, inducing a localized electrochemical reaction at the interface, resulting in either the deposition of material or the etching of the substrate. Relatively moving the electrode and the substrate along a selected trajectory, including motion normal to the interface, enables the fabrication of a three dimensional object.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the electrolytical coating of an object of steel on one or both sides. Preferably, the object is a steel strip with zinc or a zinc iron alloy. Zinc or a zinc iron alloy is deposited on the object when the object is connected to form the cathode of a galvanic cell in an aqueous solution of zinc chloride and iron chloride with a pH of 0.1 to 3.0. The zinc chloride solution has a concentration of 50 to 1000 g/l for the deposition of metallic zinc. A partial flow of electrolyte solution is past continuously into a column filled with metallic zinc, where the trivalent iron formed there during the electrolysis is reduced to a bivalent iron, and metallic zinc is dissolved simultaneously therewith. The invention also describes an apparatus for the electrolytical coating of an object of steel.

Abstract: Electroplating cell comprising an electrolysis tank (2) containing a plating solution (S), at least one immersed anode (3), means for making a strip run through the solution (S) in front of said anode (3), from one of its edges (3A) to the opposite edge (3B), and electrically insulating masks (4A, 4B) arranged along said edges (3A, 3B).Said masks overhang said edges by an amount at least equal to the distance separating said anode (3) from said strip and overlap them by an amount less than the same distance.Application to coating with an alloy, especially a zinc-based alloy, especially in installations having several successive cells.The quality of the coating is improved, something which facilitates the subsequent forming and painting of the coated sheet.

Abstract: A zinc-base galvanized sheet steel which comprises zinc-base plated sheet steel and, formed on the plating layer surface, an inorganic covering layer which contains at least one inorganic oxide in an amount of 1-500 mg/m.sup.2 in terms of the weight of metallic elements exclusive of oxygen and optionally contains at least one oxoacid or inorganic oxide colloid in an amount of 1-500 mg/m.sup.2 and further, as desired for improving weldability, a Zn oxide film formed between the inorganic covering layer and the zinc-base plating layer, and the process for producing said galvanized sheet steel.

Abstract: Method and device for pickling, and possibly for degreasing, of elongate metal items, in particular wires, strips and steel section. These items are placed in an electrolyte solution through which an electric current is passed by means of electrodes, said items being moved preferably in a substantially continuous manner lengthwise through at least two successive separate baths of an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and/or a chlorine mineral salt solution. At least one electrode is placed in each bath and an electric voltage is applied to these electrodes so that the sign of the voltage on the electrode of one of the baths is always different from the sign of the voltage on the electrode of the adjacent bath, the baths being substantially insulated from each other so that the electric current flows between two adjacent baths mainly via that part of the item being moved between said two adjacent baths.

Abstract: A noise-damping composite is formed by providing a sandwich of a viscoelastic layer between two metal skins, the viscoelastic layer including electrically conductive particles distributed therein. The sandwich is passed through a series of cells of an electro-galvanizing line, in each cell the sandwich passing through the nip formed between a charged electrically conductive contact roller and an electrically insulating pressure roller for applying sufficient pressure to insure conductivity from the metal skin engaging the contact roller through the viscoelastic layer to the other metal skin, so that the galvanizing metal is plated on only the outer surfaces of the two metal skins.

Abstract: According to this process, the strip runs through a bath of at least one electrolytic cell and two metal layers are successively deposited onto its surface by adjusting the current feeding the electrolytic cell so that the average value of the current density at the surface of the strip is less than a value called the limiting diffusion current of the ions of the metal to be deposited. In addition, during the formation of the first metal layer, the current is adjusted so as to prevent the appearance of localized overcurrents at the surface of the strip, it being possible for these overcurrents to exceed the limiting diffusion current. Such a process find particular application for electrogalvanizing.Application to an electrogalvanising process.

Abstract: A technique for improving the tarnish and oxidation resistance of metallic substrate is disclosed. The substrate is immersed in an aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide, zinc ions and chromium (VI) ions. Either the temperature of the aqueous solution or the current density is selected so that at least one surface of the substrate is coated with a nontransparent layer. A chromium-zinc coating is electrolytically applied. The coating provides tarnish resistance at temperatures in excess of 230.degree. C. The coating is removable by immersion in sulfuric acid. Improved results are obtained by rinsing deionized water containing a small amount of an alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxide.

Abstract: In a process for the electrolytic zinc coating of high-grade steel on one and two sides, the latter is connected as a cathode in the form of a high-grade steel strip in a galvanic cell, and metallic zinc is deposited on the high-grade steel strip from an aqueous solution of a zinc salt with a pH value of 1.0 to 2.5, preferably 1.5 to 2.0, as a result of which a contact corrosion with zinc-coated metal sheet is avoided, which is particularly important in the motor-car industry.

Abstract: Steel plate for automobile bodies and a method for manufacturing the steel plate are disclosed, the steel plate containing 0.02.about.0.03% of P as an alloying element with a total amount of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo being more than 0. 01% but less than 0.08 weight % and being electroplated with a Zn alloy.

Abstract: Steel plate for automobile bodies and a method for manufacturing the steel plate are disclosed, the steel plate containing 0.02.about.0.03% of P as an alloying element with a total amount of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo being more than 0.01% but less than 0.08 weight % and being electroplated with a Zn alloy.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a zinc-silica composite electroplated steel sheet, which comprises the steps of: adding, to a zinciferous acidic electroplating solution containing silica particles and nitric acid ions, a complexing agent, which is capable of forming a stable complex with zinc, in an amount within a range of from 0.001 to 10 moles per liter of the electroplating solution, or a pH buffer, which has a pH buffering effect in a solution having a pH value within a range of from 5 to 12, in an amount within a range of from 1 to 50 g per liter of the electroplating solution; and electroplating a steel sheet in the resultant electroplating solution containing the complexing agent of the pH buffer in addition to the silica particles and the nitric acid ions, to form, on the surface of the steel sheet, a zinciferous plating layer in which silica particles are uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a one-sided electroplated steel sheet by electroplating of a steel sheet in an acidic bath, an adsorption film-forming organic inhibitor is added to either (a) the electroplating solution or (b) a pickling solution used prior to electroplating and/or rinse water used for rinsing the pickled sheet in a concentration of at least 1 ppm, or it is added to (c) both the plating solution and the pickling solution and/or rinse water in a concentration of at least 0.1 ppm. The steel sheet is then passed through the inhibitor-containing solution, thereby providing a one-sided electroplated steel sheet having improved appearance and adaptability to phosphating on the unplated side.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite steel strip having a high corrosion resistance comprises electroplating a steel strip substrate in an electroplating bath to codeposit a zinc-based metal matrix and corrosion-preventing fine solid particles. The particles comprise a core which may be, for example, chromate, phosphate, aluminum, molybdenum or titanium compounds and a thin coating membrane which may be, for example, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2 or a resin encapsulating the core. The core material is soluble in the electroplating bath while the coating membrane is substantially insoluble in the electroplating bath. The electroplating bath also contains an agent for promoting the codeposition of the zinc-based metal matrix and the particles, and may optionally include a number of additional fine particles which may be, for example, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, or Sb.sub.2 O.sub.5.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for replenishing metal ions in an electrolyte depleted of the metal ions. A preferred example is replenishing tin in the electrolyte of an electrolytic tinning apparatus having an insoluble anode. The electrolyte thus becomes depleted of tin in the electrotinning process. The replenishment apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell including a tin anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte chamber for the tin anode and the cathode. The cathode is a gas diffusion electrode. An electrical circuit, usually having additional circuit resistance but free of connection to an external power source, connects the anode to the cathode. The electrolyte chamber has an electrolyte inlet, and an electrolyte outlet which is in flow communication with the electrolytic tinning apparatus. The gas diffusion electrode is exposed, on its gas side, to a source of gaseous reactant, e.g., oxygen.