Abstract: A method for curing a paint coating applied to a workpiece includes applying radiant light energy to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece within a line of sight of a radiant light energy source, and applying ambient air to the workpiece to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece not within the line of sight of the radiant light energy source.

Abstract: A system for electro-coating a metallic substrate includes a DC power supply, a primary electrode, and a wireless auxiliary electrode. The primary electrode transmits electrical current through electrolyte fluid when energized by the power supply. The auxiliary electrode is within the drain hole, and receives the current from the fluid at one end. The auxiliary electrode boosts the calibrated voltage at the opposite end near the drain hole. In a method for depositing thin film material onto the internal surfaces, the wireless auxiliary electrode is positioned in the drain hole, and the calibrated voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary electrode. Electrical current transmitted through the fluid is received at the first end of the auxiliary electrode. The calibrated voltage is boosted in proximity to the drain hole at the second end of the same auxiliary electrode. A wireless auxiliary electrode assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A system for electro-coating a metallic substrate includes a DC power supply, a primary electrode, and a wireless auxiliary electrode. The primary electrode transmits electrical current through electrolyte fluid when energized by the power supply. The auxiliary electrode is within the drain hole, and receives the current from the fluid at one end. The auxiliary electrode boosts the calibrated voltage at the opposite end near the drain hole. In a method for depositing thin film material onto the internal surfaces, the wireless auxiliary electrode is positioned in the drain hole, and the calibrated voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary electrode. Electrical current transmitted through the fluid is received at the first end of the auxiliary electrode. The calibrated voltage is boosted in proximity to the drain hole at the second end of the same auxiliary electrode. A wireless auxiliary electrode assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Some articles such as automobile components that have been constructed from steel and/or aluminum alloy parts are now being fitted with magnesium parts whose surfaces may need to be protected against corrosion. To do this an e-coating pre-film may be formed on the part's magnesium surfaces by exposing it to a conventional e-coating emulsion. And there is no need to supply a current or potential to the part or component. Magnesium's high reactivity with acidic or neutral aqueous mediums is itself a sufficient driving force to facilitate the deposition of an e-coating pre-film. At the same time any steel or aluminum alloy parts will remain unaffected. The article with a protective e-coating pre-film formed solely on its magnesium surfaces may now be advanced through a paint-line that includes conventional processes aimed at treating the component's steel and aluminum alloy parts. The process may be practiced where the magnesium surface comprises a magnesium-containing conversion or anodized coating.

Abstract: Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with an electrodeposition process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly includes an electrode for exchanging electrical current with a solution, a passageway for removing gas that becomes trapped between a workpiece and the solution, and a sleeve for electrically isolating the electrode from the workpiece.

Abstract: In one exemplary method, an anodized aluminum-silicon alloy work piece may be formed from an aluminum-silicon alloy substrate material by applying a friction stir processing treatment to the aluminum-silicon alloy substrate material to reduce an average particle size of a plurality of silicon particles contained within the substrate material while increasing a size uniformity of the plurality of silicon particles, and subsequently anodizing said aluminum-silicon alloy substrate material.

Abstract: Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition.

Abstract: A method for curing a paint coating applied to a workpiece includes applying radiant light energy to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece within a line of sight of a radiant light energy source, and applying ambient air to the workpiece to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece not within the line of sight of the radiant light energy source.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with an electrodeposition process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly includes an electrode for exchanging electrical current with a solution, a passageway for removing gas that becomes trapped between a workpiece and the solution, and a sleeve for electrically isolating the electrode from the workpiece.

Abstract: Some articles such as automobile components that have been constructed from steel and/or aluminum alloy parts are now being fitted with magnesium parts whose surfaces may need to be protected against corrosion. To do this an e-coating pre-film may be formed on the part's magnesium surfaces by exposing it to a conventional e-coating emulsion. And there is no need to supply a current or potential to the part or component. Magnesium's high reactivity with acidic or neutral aqueous mediums is itself a sufficient driving force to facilitate the deposition of an e-coating pre-film. At the same time any steel or aluminum alloy parts will remain unaffected. The article with a protective e-coating pre-film formed solely on its magnesium surfaces may now be advanced through a paint-line that includes conventional processes aimed at treating the component's steel and aluminum alloy parts. The process may be practiced where the magnesium surface comprises a magnesium-containing conversion or anodized coating.

Abstract: The present invention uses a two-step anodizing process to produce a colored anodized coating on the surface of an aluminum part. In accordance with this invention, a thin hard anodized coating layer is first formed on the surface of the aluminum part and then growing a softer a clear anodized coating layer on the surface of the aluminum part underneath the hard coat layer. The soft coat is essentially colorless and suitable for color finishing. This invention drastically improves the wear resistance of the aluminum part while maintaining a desired amount of clarity for effective electrolytic coloring.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for stabilizing certain colored anodized coating on aluminum articles against degradation by ultraviolet radiation. Anodized articles colored by an electrolytic or interference process can thereafter be stabilized by heat treating them at temperatures of the order of 350° F. for a period of an hour or so. The process is particularly useful for use on electrolytically colored, anodized vehicular external body panels made from suitably formable sheet metal aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for stabilizing certain colored anodized coating on aluminum articles against degradation by ultraviolet radiation. Anodized articles colored by an electrolytic or interference process can thereafter be stabilized by heat treating them at temperatures of the order of 350° F. for a period of an hour or so. The process is particularly useful for use on electrolytically colored, anodized vehicular external body panels made from suitably formable sheet metal aluminum alloys.

Abstract: Pistons reciprocating in cylinders of a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine tend to trap air and unburned fuel between the top of the piston head and its enclosing cylinder wall. The circumferential side surface (or land) of the piston head above its upper piston ring groove is provided with a thin coating of porous aluminum oxide. Particles of an oxidation catalyst for the engine's fuel are electrolytically deposited in the pores of the oxide coating. During engine operation the oxide-supported catalyst particles promote combustion of the entrained fuel.

Abstract: Pistons reciprocating in cylinders of a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine tend to trap air and unburned fuel between the top of the piston head and its enclosing cylinder wall. The circumferential side surface (or land) of the piston head above its upper piston ring groove is provided with a thin coating of porous aluminum oxide. Particles of an oxidation catalyst for the engine's fuel are electrolytically deposited in the pores of the oxide coating. During engine operation the oxide-supported catalyst particles promote combustion of the entrained fuel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a clear anodized coating on an aluminum base alloy containing more than three percent by weight magnesium. The alloy surface to be anodized is treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid (10 to 20%), nitric acid (10 to 30%) or phosphoric acid (40 to 80%) under the influence of a relatively low voltage direct current. This treatment suitably reduces the magnesium content of the surface layer and, subsequently, a relatively low current density anodization in sulfuric acid produces the clear coating. The clear coating may then be colored by known processes.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of separating adhered matter from a surface of a conductive substrate comprising: producing gaseous hydrogen by electrolyzing water in contact with the surface of the substrate, dislodging the adhered matter by force of the evolved hydrogen; and transporting the dislodged matter from a vicinity of the surface.

Abstract: A method for the color finishing of aluminum frames and other components for motor vehicles comprises anodizing an aluminum surface and coloring the aluminum surface. The coloring of the aluminum surface may be effected by an adsorptive coloring process, an electrolytic coloring process, an interference coloring process, or any combination of the foregoing processes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the decorative finishing of automotive vehicle bodies made of aluminum alloys. The manufactured aluminum body, or an un-assembled set of aluminum panels and components for such a body, are cleaned and otherwise pretreated as necessary and then subjected to a suitable anodizing process to form a durable, porous coating of microscopic aluminum oxide on all the visible surfaces of said body to be decorated for consumer acceptance. The anodized surfaces are then colored by coloring processes such as adsorptive coloring, electrolytic coloring and/or interference coloring.