Abstract: By forming a Cr playing layer on the surface of a metal and forming a CrN film by nitriding the surface thereof, it is possible to improve the surface hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., of the metal; wherein the nitriding treatment of the Cr plating layer surface is carried out by a method of heating in a nitrided atmosphere, preferably heated in a nitrided atmosphere which includes an ammonia decomposed gas treated in advance with an ammonia decomposition catalyst as a nitrogen source; in addition it is preferable that before the nitriding treatment, the Cr plating layer surface is purified and activated by heating in a halogen compound or a reacting gas which includes halogen.

Abstract: A granular composition for a ruminant containing as a main component choline or a physiologically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein the composition is prepared by (1) granulating the choline or it derivative having an average particle size of 100 .mu.m or less and a maximum particle size of 150 .mu.m or less, an excipient having an average particle size of 10 .mu.m or less and a maximum particle size of 20 .mu.m or less, and a hydrophobic binder under a relative humidity of 10% or less by using an agitation granulator, followed by cooling, separating and classifying the resultant granules to obtain spherical granules having a particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 mm and (ii) forming a thin film on the surface of the granules at a temperature of at least 5.degree. C. less than a melting point of the binder and 5.degree. C. to 25.degree. C.