Abstract: Process for post-sealing anodized metal surfaces, characterized in that the anodized metal is contacted with an aqueous solution for a period of between 0.5 and 2 minutes per micrometer of anodized coating thickness, which solution is at a temperature of between 75.degree. C. and its boiling point and has a pH of from 5.5 to 8.5 and which contains:(a) a total of 0.0004 to 0.05 g/l of one or more cationic, anionic or non-ionic surfactants; and(b) a total of 0.0005 to 0.5 g/l of one or more organic acids selected from cyclic polycarboxylic acids having 3 to 6 carboxyl groups and/or phosphonic acids.Non-ionic surfactants are preferred as the surfactants while polyphosphinocarboxylic acids are preferred as the acids. Alkali and/or alkaline earth metal cations, preferably Li and/or Mg ions, are optionally present in quantities of 0.0001 to 5 g/l.

Abstract: A process for sealing anodized metal surfaces is characterized by bringing the anodized metal into contact with an aqueous solution at a temperature from 75.degree. C. to the boiling point of the solution for a time equal to from 0.5 to 2 minutes per micrometer of anodized layer thickness. The solution contains: a) from 0.0001 to 5 g/l of one or more alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal ions and b) from 0.0005 to 0.5 g/l of one or more organic acids selected from: polycarboxylic acids with from 3 to 6 carboxyl groups; phosphonic acids; and/or polyphosphinocarboxylic acids, the solution containing a greater amount of metal ions of group a) than is needed to insure complete neutralization of the acids of group b).

Abstract: A process for sealing anodized metals without using any heavy metals comprises a first step in which the anodized metal is contacted for a period of between 3 and 30 minutes (for an anodized layer thickness of 20 .mu.m) with an aqueous solution which has a temperature from 15.degree. to 35.degree. C. and a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 and contains from 0.1 to 3 g/l of lithium ions and from 0.1 to 5 g/l of fluoride ions and a second step in which the anodized metal is contacted for a period from 5 to 30 minutes (for an anodized layer thickness of 20 .mu.m) with water or an aqueous solution of substances which prevent the formation of a sealing coating, the solution having a pH from 5.5 to 8.5 and a temperature from 80.degree. to 100.degree. C.