Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a layer deposited from a trivalent chromium electrolyte, is described. The method includes the steps of providing an anode and the chromium(III) plated substrate as a cathode in an electrolyte comprising (i) a trivalent chromium salt; and (ii) a complexant; and passing an electrical current between the anode and the cathode to passivate the chromium(III) plated substrate. The substrate may be first plated with a plated nickel layer so that the chromium(III) plated layer is deposited over the nickel plated layer.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a layer deposited from a trivalent chromium electrolyte, is described. The method includes the steps of providing an anode and the chromium(III) plated substrate as a cathode in an electrolyte comprising (i) a trivalent chromium salt; and (ii) a complexant; and passing an electrical current between the anode and the cathode to passivate the chromium(III) plated substrate. The substrate may be first plated with a plated nickel layer so that the chromium(III) plated layer is deposited over the nickel plated layer.

Abstract: Method and system are provided to facilitate social ecommerce. A computer-implemented social ecommerce service may be deployed at one or more server computer systems that may be referred to, collectively as a provider system. A provider system may be in communication with one or more merchant computer systems and one or more on-line social network systems. The social ecommerce service executing at the provider system may be configured to interact with an on-line store and an on-line social service in order to facilitate a process of social ecommerce.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a water-impermeable flexible polyurethane foam obtained by reacting a polyol component, which comprises at least one hydrophobic polyol, with a polyisocyanate component in the presence of a foaming agent, characterized in that it has a compression force of less than or equal to 12 kPa for 50% compression. Advantageously it has a density not exceeding 150 kg/m3, preferably not exceeding 60 kg/m3. The foam may be obtained by a cast-foam manufacturing process or by molding. It can be used as a water-impermeable seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one of the following Formula (I) compounds: wherein n=1, Ra notably represents —COOH, Rb notably represents —CH3—, Z notably represents —CH2—CHOH—, wherein the compound may be in the form of salts or, if at least one asymmetric carbon atom is present, in the form of isolated isomers or as a racemic mixture, as a physiological marker for carrying out a method for the in vitro or ex vivo diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and/or intestinal dysbioses.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal having a metal surface layer having an oxide layer thereon with a corrosion-inhibiting polymer resin layer. The method comprises contacting the surface of the metal with a pretreatment composition comprising an organophosphorus compound comprising phosphorus and an alkyl group capable of interacting with a plastic monomer resin or plastic polymer resin; and contacting the pretreated metal surface with a sealant composition comprising the plastic monomeric and/or polymeric resin.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal having a metal surface layer having an oxide layer thereon with a corrosion-inhibiting polymer resin layer. The method comprises contacting the surface of the metal with a pretreatment composition comprising an organophosphorus compound comprising phosphorus having an oxidation state of +3 and an alkyl group capable of interacting with a plastic monomer resin or plastic polymer resin; and contacting the pretreated metal surface with a sealant composition comprising the plastic monomeric and/or polymeric resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insoluble anode for electrolytic plating, the insoluble anode having two or more phases comprising an anode base body and a screen wherein the anode base body of steel, stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloy, cobalt, and cobalt alloy.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a water-impermeable flexible polyurethane foam obtained by reacting a polyol component, which comprises at least one hydrophobic polyol, with a polyisocyanate component in the presence of a foaming agent, characterized in that it has a compresson force of less than or equal to 12 kPa for 50% compression. Advantageously it has a density not exceeding 150 kg/M3, preferably not exceeding 60 kg/M3. The foam may be obtained by a cast-foam manufacturing process or by molding. It can be used as a water-impermeable seal.

Abstract: A method for producing a steel beam blank includes continuously casting a steel beam blank strand and cooling the steel beam blank strand in a secondary cooling zone. The steel beam blank strand is guided in a vertical casting plane along a curved path having its web perpendicular to the vertical casting plane, so that each of the lateral flanges has an intrados flange tip and an extrados flange tip. The method further includes straightening the steel beam blank strand behind the secondary cooling zone. When being straightened, the intrados flange tips are selectively reheated between the secondary cooling and the straightening of the steel beam blank strand via an external energy supply focused on the intrados flange tips. In this manner, transverse cracks in the intrados flange tips may be reliably avoided.

Abstract: According to the invention, the element, especially such as a motor vehicle door module (2), ready to be fastened onto a frame or other surface, is characterized in that the element is provided with a composite sealing bead of defined shape and defined cross section, said composite sealing bead having at least one catching part suitable for cooperating with a surface or frame of said element (2), at least one elastic part (5) and at least one adhesive part (6).

Abstract: A method for producing a steel beam blank includes continuously casting a steel beam blank strand and cooling the steel beam blank strand in a secondary cooling zone. The steel beam blank strand is guided in a vertical casting plane along a curved path having its web perpendicular to the vertical casting plane, so that each of the lateral flanges has an intrados flange tip and an extrados flange tip. The method further includes straightening the steel beam blank strand behind the secondary cooling zone. When being straightened, the intrados flange tips are selectively reheated between the secondary cooling and the straightening of the steel beam blank strand via an external energy supply focused on the intrados flange tips. In this manner, transverse cracks in the intrados flange tips may be reliably avoided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a modular element, such as a motor vehicle roof or door, ready to be bonded onto a frame or other surface with a bonding bead in accordance with a bonding pattern, closed in particular, comprising the following steps: producing, in particular in a mould, a composite shape bonding bead reproducing the bonding pattern and having a specific cross-section, comprising a structural bead linked to a protected adhesive coating or capable of being activated and to the element. The invention also provides producing in a mould a homogeneous bonding bead having at least a protected adhesive surface or capable of being activated. The method for mounting the modular element consists in removing the protection or activating the adhesive coating and in pressing the modular element on the frame or like surface. The invention is applicable to car manufacture.

Abstract: A flexible cellular material can be made by extruding a composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer, where the prepolymer has end groups selected from the group consisting of isocyanate end groups and trialkoxysilyl end groups, and the prepolymer is self-crosslinkable with moisture. The flexible cellular material has an expanded or foamed polymer matrix.

Abstract: A flexible cellular material can be made by extruding a composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer, where the prepolymer has end groups selected from the group consisting of isocyanate end groups and trialkoxysilyl end groups, and the prepolymer is self-crosslinkable with moisture. The flexible cellular material has an expanded or foamed polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for forming a coating on conductive particles by grafting a polymer and/or a copolymer of the particles from a bath containing at least a monomer from which the polymer and/or copolymer is formed. The method consists of producing the grafting by electrochemical reduction of the monomer in an electrolytic solution, where at least a cathode and an anode are provided, and containing an aprotic solvent, a support electrolyte and the monomer(s) required for polymerizing or copolymerizing the coating, by suspending the particles and moving the solution so as to produce an intermittent contact between the particles and the cathode, and to form, by polymerization or copolymerization, the coating on the particles by applying an electric potential.

Abstract: A method for making composites uses electrochemical polymer or copolymer coating of a carbon-based support by using a reaction system including (a) at least a monomer capable of forming a polymer on said support, (b) an aprotic solvent and (c) an electrolyte providing the resulting organic medium with an electrical conductivity for conducting therein electrolysis. The carbon support permanently forms the cathode, by applying either a potential or an electric current bringing the reaction system into the passivation zone corresponding to the first inhibition peak. The method forms a polymer grafted on the support.

Abstract: A film of a composite material is deposited by electropolymerization onto electrically conductive surface. A mixture comprising a monomer, a substance forming a dopant, a supporting electrolyte and a solvent is subjected to electrolysis in which the conductive surface to be coated is used as either cathode or anode. The cathode or anode is polarized to a potential between the electron transfer between the electrically conductive surface and the monomer. Prior to electrolysis, a solution is made from the mixture containing the substance forming a dopant either as anion, cation, molecule, and/or as undissociated complex.

Abstract: A process for depositing by electropolymerization an organic film onto an electrically conductive surface, wherein use is made of a mixture comprising (a) at least one monomer suited for forming a polymer onto said surface, (b) at least one material which can be linked to said polymer, (c) a supporting electrolyte and (d) a solvent, said process comprising the use, as material to be linked to said polymer, of a reactive substance which can react chemically with the growing polymeric chains formed starting from the monomer.