Abstract: An improved method of electrocleaning metal is provided which includes passing electrical current through the metallic article to be cleaned while it is positioned in an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide containing electrolyte to which has been added a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, an alkali metal salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid and mixtures thereof.Compositions for the practice of the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Steel suitable for cold deformation, and particularly hot rolled steel strip, wire, etc., may be prepared at high speed for subsequent cold working by coating it with an aqueous dispersion of novel composition comprising a high-titre soap (preferably sodium stearate), a suitable phosphorous-containing viscosity regulator for aqueous suspensions and plasticizer for the dry film formed by said soap, a water soluble hydroxyl-containing film-forming polymer, at least one water-soluble pigment such as borax, and water-soluble reaction product of an alkylvinylether with an alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof forming a molten film essentially free of water (other than water of hydration) from said coating by removing water while the entire film is at a temperature at least above the solidification temperature of the combined film-forming ingredients and cooling the molten film to the solid state preferably with the aid of cooling air directed against the surface of the molten film.