Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide nano thin-film material by a molten salt method, which mainly comprises the following steps: heating a low-melting-point salt to a molten state, adding a substrate into the molten salt before or after melting for reaction; adding a metal source and continuing the reaction for a period of time; removing the substrate, cooling the substrate to a room temperature, cleaning and drying the substrate to obtain the metal oxide or metal hydroxide nano thin-film material; wherein, the mass ratio of the low-melting-point salt to the metal source is 100-1.5:1. The metal oxide and metal hydroxide nano-film materials with various nano-morphologies prepared by the method of the present application have morphologies that can be regulated and controlled by the types and proportions of the low-melting-point salts and metal sources.

Abstract: A castable, moldable, or extrudable magnesium-based alloy that includes one or more insoluble additives. The insoluble additives can be used to enhance the mechanical properties of the structure, such as ductility and/or tensile strength. The final structure can be enhanced by heat treatment, as well as deformation processing such as extrusion, forging, or rolling, to further improve the strength of the final structure as compared to the non-enhanced structure. The magnesium-based composite has improved thermal and mechanical properties by the modification of grain boundary properties through the addition of insoluble nanoparticles to the magnesium alloys. The magnesium-based composite can have a thermal conductivity that is greater than 180 W/m-K, and/or ductility exceeding 15-20% elongation to failure.

Abstract: A castable, moldable, or extrudable magnesium-based alloy that includes one or more insoluble additives. The insoluble additives can be used to enhance the mechanical properties of the structure, such as ductility and/or tensile strength. The final structure can be enhanced by heat treatment, as well as deformation processing such as extrusion, forging, or rolling, to further improve the strength of the final structure as compared to the non-enhanced structure. The magnesium-based composite has improved thermal and mechanical properties by the modification of grain boundary properties through the addition of insoluble nanoparticles to the magnesium alloys. The magnesium-based composite can have a thermal conductivity that is greater than 180 W/m-K, and/or ductility exceeding 15-20% elongation to failure.

Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloys having an improved combination of properties are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy generally include from 0.30 to 0.53 wt. % Si, from 0.50 to 0.65 wt. % Mg wherein the ratio of wt. % Mg to wt. % Si is at least 1.0:1 (Mg:Si), from 0.05 to 0.24 wt. % Cu, from 0.05 to 0.14 wt. % Mn, from 0.05 to 0.25 wt. % Fe, up to 0.15 wt. % Ti, up to 0.15 wt. % Zn, up to 0.15 wt. % Zr, not greater than 0.04 wt. % V, and not greater than 0.04 wt. % Cr, the balance being aluminum and other elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delectively depositing a material on a substrate wherein the substrate has at least two different surfaces wherein one surface is passivated thereby allowing selective deposition on the non-passivated surface. In particular, disclosed is a method for preparing a surface of a substrate for selective film deposition, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises at least a first surface comprising SiO2 and an initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups and a second surface comprising SiH, the method comprising the steps of: contacting the substrate with a wet chemical composition to obtain a treated substrate comprising an increased concentration of surface hydroxyl groups relative to the initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups; and heating the treated substrate to a temperature of from about 200° C. to about 600° C.

Abstract: A trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating from which substantially no hexavalent chromium is released. The trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating is one formed on the surface of a zinc or zinc-alloy deposit. In a brine spray test, the chemical conversion coating has unsusceptibility to corrosion (time required for white-rust formation) of 96 hours or longer. The chemical conversion coating has a hexavalent-chromium concentration less than 0.01 ?g/cm2 in terms of metal atom amount. The amount of hexavalent chromium released after 30-day standing in a thermo-hygrostatic chamber at a temperature of 80° C. and a humidity of 95% (amount of hexavalent chromium released when the coating is immersed in 100° C. water for 10 minutes) is smaller than 0.05 ?g/cm2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solution composition which may be used for a single-bath electrochemical passivation and a method using the same. The solution composition includes a metal cation, a metal-oxide anion; and an organic ligand, and optionally includes a non-metallic oxide anion or a polymer. The solution composition may prevent undesired precipitation of metal oxides before performing passivation. In addition, the method of passivation using the solution composition in a single-bath use is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a steel sheet or steel strip to which an aluminium-based coating is applied in a dip-coating process and the surface of the coating is freed of a naturally occurring aluminium oxide layer. In order to provide a low-cost method for coating steel sheets or steel strips that makes the steel sheets or steel strips outstandingly suitable for the production of components by means of press hardening and for the further processing thereof, it is proposed that transition metals or transition metal compounds are subsequently deposited on the freed surface of the coating to form a top layer. The invention also relates to a method for producing press-hardened components from the aforementioned steel sheets or steel strips with an aluminium-based coating.

Abstract: A method of incorporating silver and/or copper into a biomedical implant includes: providing an implant having an outer surface; depositing silver and/or copper onto the outer surface of the implant; diffusing the silver and/or copper into a subsurface zone adjacent the outer surface; and oxidizing or anodizing the implant after the diffusion step to form an oxidized or anodized layer that contains at least some amount of elemental silver, elemental copper or silver or copper ions or compounds.

Abstract: A crystalline titanium and magnesium compound having an X-ray diffraction pattern having interplanar spacing (d-spacing) values at about 5.94, 3.10, 2.97, 2.10, 1.98, 1.82, and 1.74±0.1 angstroms may be used in protective coatings for metal or metal alloy substrates. The coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistances and provide corrosion protection equal to or better than typical non-chromate coatings.

Abstract: A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

Abstract: Disclosed are high-strength, highly deformable aluminum alloys and methods of making and processing such alloys. More particularly, disclosed is a heat treatable aluminum alloy exhibiting improved mechanical strength and formability. The processing method includes casting, homogenizing, hot rolling, solutionizing, pre-aging and in some cases pre-straining. In some cases, the processing steps can further include cold rolling and/or heat treating.

Abstract: Described herein are pretreatment compositions, coated aluminum alloy products, and methods for coating the alloys. The pretreatment compositions include inorganic chemical corrosion inhibitors dispersed in a silane-based matrix and may further include clay particles. The inorganic chemical corrosion inhibitors include rare earth metals and salts thereof. The pretreatment compositions, when applied to the surface of an alloy, inhibit corrosion of the alloys. The pretreatment compositions can be used in automotive, electronics, industrial, transportation, and other applications.

Abstract: A sol-gel method for producing an anti-corrosion coating consisting of at least one layer of an oxide on a metal substrate. A non-aqueous solution of a precursor of the oxide is prepared and deposited on one surface at least of the metal substrate in order to cover said surface at least partially with a film comprising the precursor of the oxide. Hydrolysis-condensation of the precursor of the oxide is carried out by exposing the film to a humid atmosphere in order to form an oxide network in the film. Then, a treatment for stabilizing the film on the surface of the substrate is carried out, followed by a heat treatment of the surface of the metal substrate in order to crystallize the network of oxide and form the anti-corrosion coating.

Abstract: Biodegradable magnesium alloy implantable medical devices are protected to delay onset of corrosion, and thus biodegradability, or to corrode more uniformly. The protection allows for extended effective use of the devices while maintaining biodegradability. Examples of protective coatings include conversion coatings that at least partially remove exposed second phases from a surface of the magnesium alloy and coatings that provide a barrier between water and the surface of the magnesium alloy.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for specifically adjusting the electrical conductivity of a conversion coating, wherein a metallic surface or a conversion-coated metallic surface is treated with an aqueous composition which comprises at least one kind of metal ions selected from the group consisting of the ions of molybdenum, copper, silver, gold, palladium, tin, and antimony and/or at least one electrically conductive polymer selected from the group consisting of the polymer classes of the polyamines, polyanilines, polyimines, polythiophenes, and polypryrols.

Abstract: A multi-opening oven assembly for simultaneously heating a plurality of blanks, for example aluminum blanks, before forming the heated blanks in a production line is provided. The oven assembly includes vertically aligned shelves to present a plurality of chambers for heating the blanks. A table including an entry side platform and an exit side platform moves vertically along the oven assembly. A rail system extends along the platforms and the shelves to convey the blanks in and out of the chambers. Once one set of heated blanks is removed from a first chamber, the table moves vertically to a second chamber and is ready to receive the next set of heated blanks. A continuous supply of heated blanks is provided for high throughput. The oven assembly is preferably disposed in a press adjacent a forming station of an existing production line and thus, no additional floor space is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a technique for forming a film having a high added value appearance quality and excellent hardness on the surface of a steel sheet in a short time.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention a method includes: obtaining a first aluminum alloy sheet formed from rolling a first ingot of a 3xxx or a 5xxx series aluminum alloy, wherein, prior to rolling, the first ingot has been heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to achieve a first dispersoid f/r of less than 7.65; and forming a container precursor from the first aluminum alloy sheet, wherein when the first aluminum alloy sheet is formed into the container precursor, the container precursor has less observed surface striations and ridges as compared to a container precursor formed from a second aluminum alloy sheet rolled from a second ingot having a second dispersoid f/r value of 7.65 or greater.

Abstract: A method of coating includes applying a metallic coating slurry without a filler to a component; draining the metallic coating slurry; drying the metallic coating slurry to drive off the organic binder; and heat treating the component.