Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a glass coating on a substrate, comprising the following steps: applying a liquid sol to at least one surface of the substrate, allowing the sol to react to form a gel, and briefly treating the gel on the at least one surface outside a furnace in the presence of water vapour at a temperature of at least 700° C. The method according to the invention makes the coated surface dirt-repellent, electrically insulating, non-combustible, easy to clean and resistant to ageing, corrosion and chemicals. A particular advantage of the method according to the invention is that it can be carried out outside a furnace and nevertheless makes glass coatings possible.

Abstract: An electrode device for electrochemical workpiece machining, for example an electropolishing or electroplating process, comprises an electrode and a power supply cable that is connected to the electrode and has an electrical conductor and a multilayer cladding structure around the electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the cladding structure comprises a helical wire for transmitting shear forces via the power supply cable and a fabric hose fitted closely around the helical wire. The helical wire prevents any narrowing of the diameter of the fabric hose and consequently any longitudinal extension of the fabric hose, for which reason the latter can be used to transmit tensile forces via the power supply cable. Around the outside of the fabric hose, the power supply cable has an electrically insulating plastics sheath.

Abstract: Provided herein is an aluminum surface having an abrasion- and peel-resistant sol-gel coating. To obtain the coating, the aluminum surface is treated with an aqueous, oxidizing solution, such that said surface provides a suitable base for the subsequent sol-gel coating.

Abstract: A method for the wet-chemical polishing of molded zinc parts, the molded parts being brought in contact with an acid solution and said acid solution containing only sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid as the strong acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of colored stainless steel surfaces having a high resistance and a wide application spectrum, and to articles comprising such stainless steel surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of Corten steel, in particular comprising the steps of cleaning, activating, coloring, and sealing the surface. The invention further relates to Corten steels produced by the method according to the invention.

Abstract: In a method for surface treatment of stainless steel, the thermally produced layers of oxide are contacted with a composition effective to dissolve iron ions out of the layers of oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the heat and corrosion resistance of stainless steel by means of a novel passivation process. This process comprises a chemical treatment with an aqueous solution comprising a complexing agent combination of at least one oxidant, a subsequent rinsing and a subsequent treatment at elevated temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The stainless steel surfaces obtained according to the invention have a homogeneous passive layer having increased chemical resistance and resistance to thermal discoloration.

Abstract: In a method for surface treatment of stainless steel, the thermally produced layers of oxide are contacted with a composition effective to dissolve iron ions out of the layers of oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrochemical polishing of surfaces of cobalt or cobalt alloys. It employs an electrolyte comprising glycolic acid and at least one alkane-sulfonic acid with an alkyl residue that has 1 to 3 carbon atoms. This electrolyte is also one aspect of the present invention. In one embodiment, at least one alkane-sulfonic acid comprises methane-sulfonic acid. The electrolyte and the method using this electrolyte are suitable in particular for surfaces of cobalt or cobalt alloys, including cobalt-chromium alloys such as stellite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrolytes for electrochemically polishing workpieces consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, niobium, niobium alloys, tantalum and tantalum alloys, which electrolytes contain sulfuric acid, ammonium bifluoride and at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid, and a method for electrochemical polishing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the heat and corrosion resistance of stainless steel by means of a novel passivation process. This process comprises a chemical treatment with an aqueous solution comprising a complexing agent combination of at least one oxidant, a subsequent rinsing and a subsequent treatment at elevated temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The stainless steel surfaces obtained according to the invention have a homogeneous passive layer having increased chemical resistance and resistance to thermal discoloration.

Abstract: The present invention describes a cost-saving and environmentally conserving process for the electrochemical polishing of steel, in particular of low-alloy steels. The workpieces are rinsed after electropolishing in an arid phosphoric acid-sulfuric acid-bath in a first rinsing step with a phosphoric acid-containing solution, whereby a chemical attack on the freshly polished surfaces is avoided without the use of environmentally harmful and unhealthy inhibitors such as chromates. By recycling of the acids and the rinsing solution, these acids and solutions can be regenerated, whereby the process can be designed effluent-free.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrochemical polishing of surfaces of cobalt or cobalt alloys. It employs an electrolyte comprising glycolic acid and at least one alkane-sulfonic acid with an alkyl residue that has 1 to 3 carbon atoms. This electrolyte is also one aspect of the present invention. In one embodiment, at least one alkane-sulfonic acid comprises methane-sulfonic acid. The electrolyte and the method using this electrolyte are suitable in particular for surfaces of cobalt or cobalt alloys, including cobalt-chromium alloys such as stellite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrochemical polishing of surfaces of titanium or titanium-containing alloys, such as Nitinol. An electrolyte is used that comprises methanesulfonic acid and one or more alkanediphosphonic acids. These alkanediphosphonic acids can optionally be substituted with hydroxy and/or amino groups. A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of said electrolyte for the electropolishing of titanium or titanium-containing alloys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the electropolishing of surfaces of metals and metal alloys. Said method is characterized in particular in that it can be applied to a wide range of metals. Thus, it is suitable for the electropolishing of metal surfaces comprising iron, tungsten, magnesium, aluminum or an alloy of these metals. The electrolyte used in the method comprises methanesulfonic acid and at least one alcoholic compound selected from aliphatic diols of general formula CnH2n(OH)2 with n=2-6 and alicyclic alcohols of general formula CmH2m-1OH with m=5-8.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the electrochemical polishing of surfaces of metals and metal alloys, in particular surfaces of niobium, niobium alloys, tantalum and tantalum alloys. It uses an electrolyte that comprises methanesulfonic acid and ammonium bifluoride, and which is also an object of the present invention. Said electrolyte makes it possible to electropolish niobium-containing and/or tantalum-containing workpieces efficiently, with high quality and in a manner that is harmless both for the workpiece and for humans and the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a mixture of urea and one or more alkane-diphosphonic acids, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl or amino groups, or salts thereof for the stabilization of an acidic, metal- and peroxide-containing polishing solution. The invention also relates to peroxide-containing solutions that are suitable for the stabilization of acidic, metal- and peroxide-containing polishing baths, and acidic, peroxide-containing polishing solutions that contain the stabilizer mixture according to the invention. A method of chemical polishing of metal surfaces using the stabilizer according to the invention is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrolytes for electrochemically polishing workpieces consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, niobium, niobium alloys, tantalum and tantalum alloys, which electrolytes contain sulfuric acid, ammonium bifluoride and at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid, and a method for electrochemical polishing.

Abstract: A method for the conditioning of phosphoric acid containing solutions is described, wherein the solution is converted to a solid material by adding an aluminum compound. This solid material can readily be stored in disposal sites because it is not water-soluble. This method is particularly suited for the conditioning of phosphoric acid containing solutions from metal processing. An apparatus (10) for carrying out the method comprises a mixing tube (12) with a longitudinal axis (M) as well as an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). At least two liquid supply nozzles (18 and 20) opens into the mixing tube inlet (14) and, with respect to the inlet cross-sectional area of same, into a central area. Moreover, at least one gas supply nozzle (22) which is arranged radially outward of the liquid supply nozzles (18 and 22) opens into the mixing tube inlet (14). The longitudinal axis (G) of each gas supply nozzle (22) is inclined relative to the longitudinal centre axis (M) in such manner that said axes do not intersect.