Abstract: A method of surface treatment of friction members includes providing a friction member made of PMMC material. A transfer layer is formed on the active surface of the friction member of removing the top layer of the matrix material to expose a surface with the embedded reinforcing particles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to treating a silicate medium and using the treated medium for improving the surface of metallic or electrically conductive materials. The treated medium provides a silicate medium having a defined degree of polymerization and predetermined quantities of the desired silicate polymer. The treated silicate medium can be employed in an electroless or electrolytic process.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing an electrode capable of binding an analyte thereto comprising: providing a substrate capable of binding a dithiol molecule thereto; electrochemically treating the substrate using cyclic voltammetry to provide a treated substrate having a fractal dimension of greater than about 2; and contacting the treated substrate with dithiol molecules to produce an electrode having dithiol groups attached thereto and capable of binding an analyte to be detected thereto. Also provided are methods of accumulating and detecting analytes using the electrodes produced via the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel method of electrochemical treatment such as electroplating, etc. and an electrochemical reaction apparatus thereof which is high in reactability and able to be electrochemically reacted efficiently, which is small or zero in amount of generation of liquid waste such as electrolytic solution and cleaning liquid and therefore, amicable to the environment, and in which it is no more required to clean the electrode, etc. with cleaning liquid after reaction. Electrochemical reaction is executed in a reaction vessel (6) containing matter (5) which is in a supercritical or subcritical state and an electrolytic solution (1), and after reaction, the supercritical or subcritical matter (5) is shifted into a state of the matter (5) before being shifted into a critical state.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M1X) by electrolysis in a melt of M2Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M2 deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M1X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M1. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A decontamination method and system wherein contaminated nickel anodes are obtained by cutting cylindrical nickel ingots into wafers having a disc shape. Each of the disc-shaped wafers is then used as the anode in an electro-refining process. The anode is dissolved in the process, thereby generating nickel ions and pertechnetate ions in solution. The anolyte chamber of the electro-refining cell is in fluid communication with a technetium trap that removes pertechnetate ions from solution. The wafer anode is of substantially pure nickel that has typically been cut from a larger cylindrical ingot to a thickness of approximately 2.5 inches.

Abstract: A surface treatment for a wrought copper foil relatives to a surface treatment procedure for a wrought cooper foil for use on a flexible PCB. The surface treatment comprises the steps of bi-polar electrochemical degreasing, acid etching and nodularization, electroplating a barrier layer and an anti-tarnish layer and coating a silane coupling agent layer to a copper foil. One side of the copper foil is nodularization, and a Zn—Ni barrier layer and a Cr—Zn anti-tarnish layer are electroplated on the copper foil. Finally, the organic silane coupling agent is coated to the roughened surface of the copper foil to modify the surface characters to impart the peel strength. Whereby, the cooper foil has very low profile, high peel strength, finer-pattern property, low HCl undercut and high thermal oxidation property.

Abstract: A highly accurate, efficient, and non-mechanical method of removing material from the surface of a golf club head using the principles of electrolysis. The method can be used to make golf club heads from very strong material that are difficult to impossible to mechanically machine and golf club heads with very complex or irregular designs and surfaces. The process generally involves positioning an electrode close to the surface of the golf club head in regions where material of the surface of the golf club is to be removed. A non-conductive template is placed in connection with the surface of specific areas of the golf club head to prevent the removal of the material of the golf club head from those areas. A power supply provides a low-voltage, high-density dc current that is passed between the electrode and the surface of the golf club head in the regions where material is being removed.

Abstract: An arrangement for treating solids settled on the bottom of an electrolytic tank. Said arrangement comprises a collector element movable essentially along the bottom of the electrolytic tank or in the vicinity thereof, said collector element being provided with means for separating coarse particles from the rest of the solids.

Abstract: An apparatus for the superficial electrolytic treatment of metal strips, comprising several separate and non-communicating tanks, or containers, located along the path of metal strip (13). A series of electrodes in pairs (14′, 15′, 14″, 15″, 14′″, 15′″), arranged as tunnels, is situated along the path. Each pair is associated with a container (2′, 2″, 2′″), in which an electrode (14, 14″, 14′″) of each pair is located above the strip and the other (15′, 15″, 15′″) is located below said strip, in a reciprocally opposite position and at an appropriate distance. The electrode pairs alternately have opposite polarity and each of them is respectively associated with a container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the derusting or removal of corrosion products form ferrous metal substrates by electrochemical treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pickling hot-rolled special steel strips (1) having an austenite, ferrite and/or martensite structure. The inventive method is carried out in a pickling line (7) with pickling sections (8) containing acids and rinsing sections (9) containing rinsing water (15). The aim of the invention is to provide a method that does not require an additional stretch-leveling step for descaling. The costs for pickling are reduced by pickling the hot-rolled special steel strip (1) in the pickling sections (8) with hydrochloric acid (13) and rinsing it in the first rinsing sections (9) with azotic acid (14) or an equivalent substitute pickling medium (14b) and treating it in further rinsing sections (9) with rinsing water (15).

Abstract: An electrochemically disbondable composition is provided having a matrix functionality and an electrolyte functionality wherein the electrolyte functionality is provided by a block copolymer or a graft copolymer. The matrix functionality provides an adhesive bond to a substrate, and the electrolyte functionality provides sufficient ionic conductivity to the composition to support a faradaic reaction at an interface with an electrically conductive surface in contact with the composition, whereby the adhesive bond is weakened at the interface. The composition may be a phase-separated composition having first regions of substantially matrix functionality and second regions of substantially electrolyte functionality. Adhesive and coating compositions and methods of disbonding also are described.

Abstract: A washing, cleaning and sterilizing solution is produced by electrolyzing an electrolyte solution composed of mixed caustic soda and salt in an electrolyzer. The solution is used as it is or diluted with tap water or non-potable water. The solution is applicable to washing, cleaning and sterilizing metal goods, medical instruments, nursing products, foodstuff, farm products, marine products, dishes, cooking utensils, plastic goods, surrounding, facilities, fiber products, machine parts, machine goods, various containers, electrical communication components, vehicles, or the like.

Abstract: A process for cleaning an electrically conducting surface (3) by arranging for the surface to form the cathode of an electrolytic cell in which the anode (1) is maintained at a DC voltage in excess of 30V and an electrical arc discharge (electro-plasma) is established at the surface of the workpiece by suitable adjustment of the operating parameters, characterized in that the working gap between the anode and the cathode is filled with an electrically conductive medium consisting of a foam (9) comprising a gas/vapor phase and a liquid phase. The process can be adapted for simultaneously coating the metal surface by including ions of the species required to form the coating in the electrically conductive medium.

Abstract: A cathode station (10) for a pipe electrochemical polishing system (12) has a valve (20) for preventing a cleaning fluid (56) from entering into a pipe (28). A cathode (14) is pulled into the cathode station (10) by a cathode puller cable (16) after a polishing operation (62) is completed. In a rinse cathode operation (66) the cleaning fluid (56) is introduced into the cathode station (10) through a fluid inlet (52) and removed from a fluid outlet (54). In a finish operation (68) the cathode (14) and cathode station (10) are removed from the pipe electrochemical polishing system (12).

Abstract: A process for creating surface microporosity on a titanium (or other metal) medical device includes creating a surface oxide layer on the device; placing the device, which is connected to a negative terminal of an electrical power supply, into a calcium chloride bath; connecting the positive terminal of the power supply to an anode immersed in or containing calcium chloride thereby forming an electrolytic cell; passing current through the cell; removing the device from the bath; and cooling and rinsing the device to remove any surface salt. If necessary, the device is etched to remove metal oxide which may have formed during the cooling process. The resulting device has a microporous surface structure. Alternatively, only a designated surface portion of a medical device is made microporous, either by applying a non-oxidizing mask, removing a portion of the oxide layer, or subtracting a portion of a microporous surface.

Abstract: A process for regeneration of electrolytes, in particular Na2SO4, from waste pickles created during picking of stainless steel, in particular stainless steel strips. The electrolytes are regenerated by adding NaxHySzOv in an acid solution whereby Cr6+ is reduced to Cr3+. Variables x, y, z and v having the following values: x=0 to 2, y=0 to 2, z=1 to 6, v=2 to 6.

Abstract: A sensor module for monitoring chemical properties of oil well fluids comprises at least one electrochemical sensor for a chemcal species, for example to detect pH and chloride ion concentration. A micro-porous barrier separates the electrochemical sensors from the environment of the module, the micro-porous barrier being of a material which is readily wetted by water. Periodic application of a current pulse between the barrier and a counter electrode enables fouling material to be removed from the micron barrier.

Abstract: Lithium ion cells in which the cathode contains a particulate insertion material and a binder are cut open in a dry, inert atmosphere (10). The cell components are treated with a first organic solvent (12) to dissolve the electrolyte, so that this can be reused. They are then treated with a second organic solvent (16) to dissolve the binder, and the particulate material separated (18) from the solution of binder. The insertion material is then reduced (22) so that it does not contain intercalated lithium. The reduction process may be performed electrolytically.

Abstract: A novel photoresist stripping process is disclosed. Specifically, it has been found that if a printed wiring board panel having photoresist on its surface is used as a cathode during electrolysis in an alkaline solution, the result is a rapid and complete photoresist removal with minimal sheeting of removed photoresist and no evidence of chemical attack upon metallic traces on the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A process for removing chloride ions from steel surfaces and measuring the amount present on the steel surface being tested employs a high frequency waveform alternating current treatment as a pre-measurement step to liberate the chloride ions into deionized water on the steel surface being tested. The conductivity of the water containing the chloride ions is measured in a conductivity cell mounted on the same steel surface being tested. Recovery of chloride ions originally present on the steel test surface (cathode) is 85-95% complete when a sine wave high frequency alternating current is used between the steel test surface (cathode) sealed below an insulating plastic box containing the deionized water and which plastic box contains a steel plate (anode) mounted within and immediately below the inside top of the plastic box conductivity cell. The conductivity of the water in the cell is measured by a conductivity meter after disconnecting the high frequency waveform alternating current.

Abstract: The electrodes have jet openings which jet the electrolyte to the steel strip, that is to say, the electrode is integrated with the nozzle which jets an electrolyte.

Abstract: A system and process for chemical milling or stripping a surface portion and/or surface deposit from metal products, such as chemically milling a metal to remove surface defects and/or stripping non-metallic deposits from a metal surface. The metal product is associated with an electrolyte, such as by being immersed in a tank filled with the electrolyte, such as a diluted acid mixture. A counter electrode having a higher potential than the metal of the metal product is also associated with the electrolyte. The counter electrode is dc coupled to the metal product, or to a conductive component in direct contact with the metal product, such that electric current flows from the metal to the counter electrode due to the difference in the natural potentials of the metal and the counter electrode. The surface portion or deposit is thereby stripped or milled from the metal product.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating member for separating the bottom part of an electrolytic tank from the rest of the tank space in connection with the removal of solids (6) settled onto the bottom of the electrolytic tank (1). According to the invention, in the electrolytic tank (1) there are installed support and control members (10), which form the trajectory of the separating member (11, 21, 31), so that the separating member (11, 21, 31) can be inserted in the electrolytic tank (1) and removed therefrom via a space left in between at least one rear wall (7, 32) of the electrolytic tank (1) and the electrode (2) located nearest to said rear wall (7, 32).

Abstract: A method of descaling titanium material including the steps of immersing titanium material having oxide scale on a surface thereof in a fused alkaline salt bath in accordance with needs; subjecting the titanium material to anodic electrolysis or alternate electrolysis in an electrolyte solution so as to dissolve the oxide scale; and subjecting the titanium material to acid pickling so as to remove remaining oxide scale or oxide film generated in the electrolysis.

Abstract: Surface defects on rolled alulminium alloy sheet, particularly that intended for use as lithographic plate substrate, are caused by copper-containing particles. The invention provides a method of improving the sheet by removing the particles by anodising in an aggressive electrolyte, particularly a.c. anodising at a current density of at least 2 kAm−2.

Abstract: A plating apparatus and methodology is disclosed that is particularly useful in improving the plating rate, improving the plating of via holes, improving the uniformity of the plating deposition across the surface of the wafer, and minimizing damage to the wafer. With regard to improving the plating rate and the plating of via holes, the plating apparatus and method immerses a wafer in a plating fluid bath and continuously directs plating fluid towards the surface of the wafer. Immersing the wafer in a plating fluid bath reduces the occurrence of trapped gas pockets within via holes which makes it easier to plate them. The continuous directing of plating fluid towards the surface of the wafer increases the ion concentration gradient which is, in turn, increases the plating rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning conductive and non-conductive bodies using a basic aqueous disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate cleaning solution. The outside surfaces of a metallic or non-metallic body are cleaned by spraying or brushing the cleaning solution on to body, or by placing the metallic body in electrical contact with the cleaning solution, an anode and a cathode (either of which may be the body itself) and flowing DC current from the anode to the cathode and thus through the chemical solution, thereby causing the cleaning solution to electrolytically clean the body. The DC current is provided by an inverter power source. The body may be immersed in the electrolytic cleaning solution or the electrolytic cleaning solution may be sprayed onto the body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic fiber in which from a convergent extended wire, which is formed by a metallic fiber and a matrix member which is formed of a metallic material and whose dissolvability is higher than the dissolvability of the metallic fiber, the matrix member is continuously dissolved and removed by an electrolytic processing in a plurality of electrolytic tanks which are arranged in the conveying direction of the convergent extended wire, wherein: the convergent extended wire is passed through electrolytes in the plurality of electrolytic tanks, which are arranged in the shape of a gentle convex arch at the vertical direction upper side which includes the conveying passage of the convergent extended wire, the convergent extended wire is passed above a plurality of feeding devices which are provided at the outer sides of the electrolytes and which are disposed in the same arch-shape so as to correspond to the electrolytic tanks, in each of the plurality of electrolytic tanks, the metallic

Abstract: A method of removing a metal skin from a through-hole surface of a copper-Invar-copper (CIC) laminate without causing differential etchback of the laminate. The metal skin includes debris deposited on the through-hole surface as the through hole is being formed by laser or mechanical drilling of a substrate that includes the laminate as an inner plane. Removing the metal skin combines electrochemical polishing (ECP) with ultrasonics. ECP dissolves the metal skin in an acid solution, while ultrasonics agitates and circulates the acid solution to sweep the metal skin out of the through hole. ECP is activated when a pulse power supply is turned on and generates a periodic voltage pulse from a pulse power supply whose positive terminal is coupled to the laminate and whose negative terminal is coupled to a conductive cathode. After the metal skin is removed, the laminate is differentially etched such that the copper is etched at a faster rate than the Invar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning conductive bodies using a basic aqueous disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate electrolyte. The outside surfaces of a metallic body is cleaned by placing the body in contact with the electrolyte and flowing DC current from an anode to the body, which forms a cathode. The body may be immersed in the electrolyte or the electrolyte may be sprayed onto the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved oxygen sensor and particularly to oxygen sensors used as exhaust sensors in vehicles. The oxygen sensor, which has an improved lean-rich response time and operability at lower temperatures, has been chemically etched and electrically treated, or chemically etched with a non-hydrofluoric acid solution.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrolytic pickling a metal strip, where the electric current is conducted through the strip indirectly without electrically conductive contact between the strip and the electrodes. The strip is run vertically or substantially vertically through the process, and the electrolyte liquid is fed in between the strip and the electrodes.

Abstract: To propose a method of cleaning a surface of a glass substrate fabricated by a process of strengthening a surface thereof by alkaline ion exchange reaction by selectively removing alkaline metal on the surface by cleaning the surface by using an activated ionic water produced by electric polarization and as a result, to provide a glass substrate for a magnetic disk having a magnetic medium with insignificant corrosion and excellent S/N ratio, in cleaning a glass substrate for a magnetic disk using a glass substrate pulled up from a chemically strengthening treatment solution produced by an alkaline ion exchange reaction, after a final polishing step of fabricating the glass substrate for a magnetic disk, the glass substrate is cleaned by an activated anodically electrolyzed water produced by electric polarization to thereby selectively remove the alkaline metal at the vicinity of the surface.

Abstract: A process for the delacquering and detinning of a metal substrate is presented comprising the fully electrochemical removal of both an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate. The disclosed method provides a clean metal substrate, and results in wastes which are easily disposed of with minimal cost and minimal environmental impact. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a one-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate in a single electrolyte bath through electrolytic removal of both the polymeric and tin layers from the metal substrate. An electrically conductive container having the electrolyte bath therein acts as an anode in the process, and the removed tin is plated out on the cathode. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a two-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate.

Abstract: A device and method for removing metal or mineral deposits from surfaces (eg. surfaces of oil drilling equipment) by creating an electrochemical cell of which the contaminated surface is a part.

Abstract: A method of electrolytically separating a paint coating from a metal surface comprising the steps of providing a metal member having a surface having a paint coating thereon and contacting the member with an essentially neutral electrolytic solution. The metal member is made cathodic in an electrolytic cell and current is passed from an anode electrode pad through the electrolytic solution to the metal member for a time sufficient to cause the paint coating to separate from the metal member. The pad is comprised of a first blanket for contacting the paint coating, a second blanket to cover the first blanket and an electrode mesh positioned between the first and second blankets.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an Al workpiece comprises a.c. anodising the workpiece in an acidic electrolyte capable of dissolving aluminium oxide and maintained at a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. under conditions such that the surface of the workpiece is cleaned with any oxide film thereon being non-porous and no more than about 20 nm thick.

Abstract: In a method for recovering antimony from the electrolyte of copper electro-refining process, the antimony is adsorbed on the chelating resin and is then eluted by acid. The eluate is then neutralized to recover antimony. In a conventional method, a large amount of acid and alkali is used. In the inventive eluting method, the antimony concentration in the acidic eluting solution is adjusted to 4 g/L or more in the first step and 3 g/L or less in the second step.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for cleaning the surface of a workpiece of an electrically conducting material, which process comprises:i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode comprising the surface of the workpiece and an inert anode;ii) introducing an electrolyte into the zone created between the anode and the cathode by causing it to flow under pressure through at least one opening in the anode and thereby impinge on the surface of the cathode, the surface of the cathode not otherwise being immersed in the electrolyte; andiii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode and operating in a regime in which the electrical current decreases or remains substantially constant with increase in the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode, and in a regime in which gas bubbles are present on the surface of the workpiece during treatment.

Abstract: Process for electrolytic treatment of continuous running material in which the material runs through an electrolytic liquid and electric potential is applied to the material. In order to guarantee freedom from differential potential in the material to be treated in any form of electrolytic treatment, the differential potential in the treated material is measured after electrolytic treatment and at least the same degree of inverse compensating potential is applied to the material.

Abstract: During filtration, periodic application of a potential difference between an electrically conducting filter medium and counter electrode (as anode) generates a gaseous product at the filter and cleans the filter. To minimise corrosion the counter electrode is of low chromium stainless steel, for example 9% chromium.

Abstract: A conductivity cell for use in determining ionic concentrations in the gap between two semiconductor substrates or wafers. The wafer gap conductivity cell is composed of two flat electrodes separated by a fixed gap. The electrodes are fabricated from wafers of the same type and dimensions used as semiconductor device substrates. All or a portion of the surfaces of the wafer electrodes are coated with a conductive material. The wafer gap conductivity cell is placed in a wafer cassette or other suitable wafer holder, whose other slots are filled with wafers which are to be cleaned or subjected to another fabrication process. The cell can be used to characterize the processes used during the fabrication of semiconductor devices and assist in investigating the effect on the processes of different process vessel designs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic fiber in which from a convergent extended wire, which is formed by a metallic fiber and a matrix member which is formed of a metallic material and whose dissolvability is higher than the dissolvability of the metallic fiber, the matrix member is continuously dissolved and removed by an electrolytic processing in a plurality of electrolytic tanks which are arranged in the conveying direction of the convergent extended wire, wherein: the convergent extended wire is passed through electrolytes in the plurality of electrolytic tanks, which are arranged in the shape of a gentle convex arch at the vertical direction upper side which includes the conveying passage of the convergent extended wire, the convergent extended wire is passed above a plurality of feeding devices which are provided at the outer sides of the electrolytes and which are disposed in the same arch-shape so as to correspond to the electrolytic tanks, in each of the plurality of electrolytic tanks, the metallic

Abstract: A process for treating the surface of material composed of high-grade steel, particularly strip-shaped material, wherein the material is treated with a pickling solution in a least one container and is subsequently rinsed. The solution used as the pickling solution contains a hydrochloric acid as the only acid and the material to be treated is subjected in at least one container to a least one spray treatment with the pickling solution containing the hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes of decontaminating by electrochemical attack, a metal workpiece or solution contaminated with one or more metal oxides. A metal workpiece or solution contaminated with one or metal oxides is mixed or exposed to a solution including hydrazide ions to complex metal ions of the metal oxides with hydrazide ions. The metal workpiece or an anode is connected to a positive terminal of means for providing direct current. A cathode is disposed away from the metal workpiece in the solution including metal ions complexed with hydrazide ions and connecting the cathode to a negative terminal of means for providing direct current. DC current is conducted from the metal workpiece through the solution including metal ions complexed with hydrazide ions to the cathode. The solution or workpiece is decontaminated by plating out the metal ion as a metal at the cathode thereby removing the metal oxides from the metal workpiece or solution.

Abstract: Electric control apparatus generates electric fields in the water suitable for killing marine animals, particularly zebra mussels. These electric fields can be spatially controlled and designed to produce appropriate levels of power density to tetanize or kill zebra mussels while at the same time providing electrical isolation and protection for other marine animals in the surrounding habitat.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for pickling material strips made of steel, in particular stainless steel, where the strip passes through at last one pickling bath with at least one pickling acid. It is above all characterized by the fact that the acid concentration and/or the acid composition is controlled as a function of the material quality, of the pre-treatment and of the operating parameters of the pickling plant. Furthermore, the invention concerns a plant for carrying out the process, where at least two circulation tanks having different acid concentrations and/or acid compositions are provided.