Abstract: A coated metallic article, such as a high strength steel, that exhibits low hydrogen embrittlement carries an electrodeposited coating having a microstructure characterized by a plurality of interconnected escape channels that extend from the coating-substrate interface to the surface of the coating. Determining the presence of the escape channels as well as other microstructural features enables one to readily monitor and control plating processes to assure the production of articles that exhibit low hydrogen embrittlement. Low hydrogen embrittlement characteristics are also linked to the amount of residual hydrogen in the substrate after plating and subsequent heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing a corrosion-resistant article exhibiting low hydrogen embrittlement, comprising electroplating the article with a zinc-nickel alloy. The zinc-nickel alloy is plated from an aqueous acidic plating solution containing zinc, nickel, an electrolyte in the form of a soluble ammonium salt, and a polyoxyalkylated nonionic surfactant. The bath can also contain an anionic surfactant, a buffer such as boric acid, and a brightener.

Abstract: A method of coating polymeric substrates, and in particular vinyl coverings, to rennovate and enhance the appearance of the substrate. The coating composition employed to restore and enhance the substrate, preferably comprises an acrylic polymer, benzotriazole, and a solvent therefor. The composition can also be used as a sealant to close small gaps or openings.

Abstract: Plated high strength steel articles having a metallic plated coating exhibit high corrosion resistance and low hydrogen reembrittlement characteristics when an acrylic polymeric coating, such as a methyl methacrylate polymer is applied to the aritcle. A corrosion inhibitor and adhesion promoter such as benzotriazole and a leveling agent such as an alkyd polymer can be incorporated with the acrylic polymer in minor proportions to further enhance the corrosion resistance characteristics of the coating. A benzotriazole-containing acrylic polymer formulation also enhances the corrosion resistance characteristics of an unplated metal substrate.

Abstract: Plated high strength steel articles having a metallic plated coating exhibit high corrosion resistance and low hydrogen reembrittlement characteristics when an acrylic polymeric coating, such as a methyl methacrylate polymer is applied to the article. A corrosion inhibitor and adhesion promoter such as benzotriazole and a leveling agent such as an alkyd polymer can be incorporated with the acrylic polymer in minor proportions to further enhance the corrosion resistance characteristics of the coating. A benzotriazole-containing acrylic polymer formulation also enhances the corrosion resistance characteristics of an unplated metal substrate.

Abstract: An acidic electroplating bath for providing a bright tin or tin/cadmium deposit containing stannous ions or mixtures of stannous and cadmium ions, a free acid, a non-ionic surfactant and as a brightener system a ring-halogenated aryl aldehyde, formaldehyde, and at least one compound of the formula: ##STR1## where n and m are zero or 1, and when n is 1, m is zero and when m is 1, n is zero, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, and when both m and n are zero, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or lower alkyl groups and R.sub.4 is a formyl, alkyl carbonyl, carboxamido, or carboxy group or mixtures thereof, and when R.sub.4 is a formyl or alkyl carbonyl group or mixtures thereof, R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group; when n is 1, the combination of R.sub.2 and Z represent ethenylene and R.sub.3 is an oxygen or sulfur radical, and R.sub.4 is as above; when m is 1, the combination of R.sub.2 and Z.sup.1 represent alkylene, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group and R.sub.4 is a carbonyl group.

Abstract: A plating bath for electrodeposition of tin/lead alloys contains stannous ion, lead ion, a fluoborate, fluosilicate or sulfamate radical and, as a brightener system, a nonionic polyoxyalkylated surfactant, a lower aliphatic aldehyde, an amine and a cyclic brightener selected from the group consisting of heterocyclic carboxaldehydes, aromatic ketones and carboxylic acids, the pH of the bath being less than about 3.0.

Abstract: An aqueous, ammonium ion-free acid zinc electroplating solution comprising a source of zinc ion, a soluble electrolyte, boric acid, a non-ionic polyoxyalkylated surfactant, and an organic acid, the bath being operable at a pH of about 3.0 to about 6.5. Preferably, the bath also contains a brightener. Spent baths are simply and inexpensively disposed of.

Abstract: An aqueous acidic cadmium electroplating bath containing cadmium ion, sulfuric and/or fluoboric free acid and a surfactant comprised of a combination of a condensed naphthalene sulfonate and a non-ionic polyoxyalkylated compound. Preferably, the bath also contains one or more brighteners.