Abstract: A method and system for controlling the transmission of radio frequency energy through an imperforate multi-layer fiber and resin composite structure. Multiple segments of conductive mesh are embedded between layers of fiber and resin in at least partially overlapping positions. Apertures within the conductive mesh are limited to diameters substantially smaller than the wavelengths of the radio frequency energy utilized; however, the apertures are large enough to permit resin to flow into those apertures during the cure process, thereby limiting the possibility of delamination during loading of the resultant composite structure. By utilizing nonconductive materials, such as glass fibers and a resin material having an appropriate dielectric constant, it is possible to create a radio frequency energy guide or capacitive structure which permits the controlled transmission of radio frequency energy through an imperforate composite structure.

Abstract: A base material for printed wiring boards is formed by laminating together layers of prepregs of woven cloth impregnated with a thermosetting polymeric resin varnish. The varnish has an inorganic filler which is present in an amount sufficient to provide the base material with an average coefficient of thermal expansion along its Z-axis between 30.degree. C. and 270.degree. C. which is equal to or less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of copper from 30.degree. C. to 270.degree. C. plus the maximum elongation at 270.degree. C. of copper suitable for forming a conductive pattern on hole walls of printed wiring boards. Printed wiring boards manufactured on the base material by additive or subtractive processes are resistant to failure from thermal stress or thermal cycling.

Abstract: A tire labeling apparatus feeds labels that are releasably adhered to a carrier web from a supply reel to a label dispensing station where the labels are transferred one at a time from the web to an application roller. At the dispensing station, the carrier web is tightly reversely bent to assist in sequentially "peeling" labels therefrom; spent web material is withdrawn from the dispensing station and collected on a collection reel; and, each newly "peeled" label is subjected to a jet of pressurized air that forces the indicia-carrying face of the label into engagement with a curved, label-receiving portion of the circumference of the application roller. Holes open through the label-receiving portion of the application roller, and ambient air is drawn through these holes to generate air pressure differential forces that releasably retain each newly dispensed label in place on the application roller.

Abstract: A tool carriage includes a main beam along which a subcarriage carrying the tool travels and is supported above a supporting table by two end parts each associated with opposite ends of the main beam. The main beam has a length sufficient to straddle the widest width of conventional supporting tables and is adjustable at one of the two end parts to accommodate different table widths. The end parts have rollers which support the carriage above the table support surface and against lateral displacement on the table. The lateral rollers on one end of the carriage are capable of being adjusted relative to horizontal and vertically extending directions allowing either end of the carriage to be generically adaptable to any table edge configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an annular product features in such arrangement that, around a drum shaft sheathing over a main shaft, tapering structures each having axial slidability are provided, and in response to a slide move of the tapering structure, drum segments are each radially expanded or retracted. A stopper for controlling a slide move of the tapering structure is provided and an axial position of the stopper is regulated by a motor through a ball screw mechanism disposed in the main shaft. Thereby, settings and changes of a circumferential length of the drum which determines the length of the annular product are easily made and can be made with great certainty.

Abstract: The device has a support plate (119) provided with drive means (112, 117) for at least one lower part, as well as a plurality of holding plates (85) arranged in one row with an upper receiving surface and a lower receiving surface (93, 94), respectively, for a plurality of upper parts. The holding plates (85) can be rotated through 180.degree. by means of a pivoting device (86, 87, 108) around a symmetrical horizontal axis (L3). After the upper parts have been placed on the holding plates (85), adhesive is applied to the edges of the upper parts, after which the holding plates (85) are pivoted through 180.degree.. The support plate (119) subsequently gathers the upper parts, which are now hanging down, while at the same time the next upper parts can be placed over the receiving surfaces of the holding plates (85), which [receiving surfaces] are now facing upward. The support plate (119) and the holding plates (85) are designed as suction plates that can be turned on and off.

Abstract: Growth-orientation of a crystal on a semiconductor device is achieved by using an oriented seed layer to grow a monocrystalline layer of silicon on an oxide. The oriented seed layer is provided by a regimented layer of silicon precipitates, which are deposited onto a surface of the oxide in a conventional aluminum-silicon deposition process. A film of silicon is deposited onto the oriented seed layer to grow a monocrystalline layer of silicon. The monocrystalline layer of silicon is further coated with an oxide, and a further seed layer is deposited. In this manner, a plurality of monocrystalline layers of silicon can be deposited on and between insulating layers of oxide. The method can be used for the manufacture of silicon-on-oxide transistors, having a low density of crystalline defects.

Abstract: The bond strength between a diamond and the substrate onto which it is deposited by the chemical vaporization method is decreased to the point where the diamond can be removed from the substrate as a free standing monolithic sheet. The bond strength can be decreased by polishing the substrate, removing corners from the substrate, slow cooling of the substrate after deposition, an intermediate temperature delay in cooling or the application or formation of an intermediate layer between the diamond and the substrate. The free standing sheet of diamond can be used as a laser lens, metallized to form a mirror, or silver soldered to tungsten carbide to form a cutting tool.

Abstract: A process allowing so-called indirect-heating SOI methodology to selectively transform predefined regions of a semiconductor film formed on an insulating substrate into grain-boundary-free regions. In an indirect-heating SOI, a semiconductor film which is recrystallized to be grain-boundary free is heated above its melting point by the heat generated in an energy-absorbing layer formed thereon. In the present invention, a layer having a relatively smaller thermal conductivity, such as SiO.sub.2 layer, is provided between the semiconductor film to be recrystallized and the energy-absorbing layer, both having larger thermal conductivities. The smaller-thermal-conductivity layer, functioning as a thermal-resistance, has selectively increased thickness at the portions thereof corresponding to the predefined regions transformed to be grain-boundary free in the semiconductor film.

Abstract: A hydrothermal process is disclosed for growing a crystal at MTiOXO.sub.4 wherein M is NH.sub.4, K, Rb and/or Tl or mixtures thereof with Cs and X is P and/or As, at elevated temperatures using a mineralizer comprising both M.sup.+1 and X.sup.+5 and an amount of F.sup.- effective to increase the solubility of MTiOXO.sub.4 in the mineralizer. Mineralizers containing F.sup.-1, M.sup.+1 and X.sup.+5 are disclosed wherein F.sup.-1 is present in an amount effective to increase the solubility of MTiOXO.sub.4 in the mineralizer and to provide a MTiOXO.sub.4 solubility of at least about 1% by weight at the operating temperature and pressure for the hydrothermal production.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flattening method for an interlayer insulating film in a semiconductor device. A substance for forming a solid flattening film is prepared in a liquid-phase state, and a film (e.g., water film) of the substance in the liquid-phase state having a substantially flat upper surface is formed on an uneven upper surface of the interlayer insulating film. Subsequently, the liquid film thus formed is solidified to be formed into the solid flattening film. Then, the solid flattening film and a part of the interlayer insulating film are etched back to obtain a flat upper surface of the interlayer insulating film. Accordingly, the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film can be flattened at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method for making pressure sensors is disclosed. A wafer of doped silicon or other semiconductive material is selectively chemically etched (micromachined) on both sides to form a plurality of diaphragms, a thicker silicon rim surrounding each diaphragm, and a feedthrough hole corresponding to each diaphragm external to the silicon rim. A small metallized area of the upper surface of the silicon substrate on the rim adjacent each diaphragm permits external electrical connection to the silicon plate. Capacitor plates are formed by depositing a metallized film or other conductive material on a dielectric substrate in locations corresponding to the diaphragms of the silicon wafer. To permit external electrical connection to the conductive material, contact pads electrically connected to the conductive material are formed on the dielectric substrate external to the area corresponding to the diaphragms.

Abstract: A layer of spin-on-glass is used as a hard mask for patterning an underlying layer of polysilicon. The patterned polysilicon may be used in the gate structures of field effect transistors.

Abstract: A conductive oxide film is formed on a substrate at a low temperature. The formed conductive oxide film is not very dense because of the low temperature. Therefore the formed conductive oxide film can easily be etched by an etchant having a weak etching capability. And by the etching a pattern of the formed conductive oxide film is produced. The patterned conductive oxide film is oxidized at a temperature in the range of 100.degree.-400.degree. C. In this way a conductive oxide pattern is produced in a shorter time in the method of the present invention than in a conventional method and the conductive oxide pattern produced by the method of the present invention has the almost same resistivity as the conductive oxide pattern produced by the conventional method and has an improved pattern edge and an improved reproducibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for spray drying a mixture of a liquid containing dissolved solids and a high temperature gas containing molten solids employs a gas flow retarding auxiliary chamber upstream of a spray drying main chamber for retarding the rate of flow of gas into the main chamber. The slowed rate of gas flow serves to reduce generation of eddy currents and to distribute the gas flow more uniformly in the main chamber. The apparatus also employs a bi-level atomizing spray nozzle arrangement in the spray drying main chamber for injecting an atomized liquid spray into the gas flow and thereby disrupting the gas flow at both the inlet of and midway through the main chamber. Such disruptions of gas flow provides a more thorough mixing of the gas and sprayed atomized liquid and distributes the gas flow more uniformly across the main chamber and thereby distributes the evaporation and drying of solids from the mixture more uniformly throughout the main chamber.

Abstract: A film-type evaporator has a vapor chamber, a rotor rotating therein, at least one evaporating surface extending outwards from the rotor axis and a heating chamber rotating therewith and sealed with respect to the vapor chamber. The starting product is fed onto the evaporating surface close to the rotor axis and spreads outwards in film-like manner due to the centrifugal force on the evaporating surface. A uniform film thickness is achieved in that the evaporating surface is a curved blade surface, which is formed by a generatrix substantially parallel to the rotor axis and whose axial extension is limited by upper and lower stop ledges, and that the concave side of the evaporating surface is directed in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Archival quality aperture cards manufactured from stock formulation including:1. between 40 and 60% southern softwood kraft pulp;2. between 60 and 40% northern mixed hardwood pulp;3. between 1.5 and 2.5% on total pulp, calcium carbonate for alkaline reserve;4. between 0.05 and 1.0% on total pulp, alkyl ketene dimer as an internal sizing agent;5. between 0.2 and 1.0% on total pulp, cationic potato starch for internal bonding improvements;6. between 0.5 and 2.0% on total pulp, cationic potato starch as a surface sizing agent;7. between 0.5 and 2.5% solids added to the surface sizing agent, alkyl ketene dimer as a slip agent; and8. between 0.01 and 0.3% dyed rayon granitizing fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the paper-making domain and especially to a forgery-proof safety paper, which includes on its surface and/or in its mass, at least one compound responding to formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 may be either H, OH, or OR,R being a hydrocarbon chain, substituted or not, straight, cyclic or aromatic,with A forming one or more cycles, substituted or not. This invention is particularly applicable to forgery-proof safety papers such as cheques or handwritten documents for payment.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues, and processes for making the webs. The tissue paper webs comprise papermaking fibers, a biodegradable quaternized amine-ester softening compound, a wetting agent, and a permanent wet strength resin. The process comprises a first step of forming an aqueous papermaking furnish from the above-mentioned components. The second and third steps in the basic process are the deposition of the papermaking furnish onto a foraminous surface such as a Fourdrinier wire and removal of the water from the deposited furnish. An alternate process involves the use of the furnish containing the aforementioned components in a papermaking process which will produce a pattern densified fibrous web having a relatively high bulk field of relatively low fiber density in a patterned array of spaced zones of relatively high fiber density.

Abstract: A distillation tray including a use with a distillation column tray and a heating chamber with each tray including a bottom pierced by a through hole and a rim surrounding the bottom and having at least one outside flank. The outside flank includes a plurality of relative projections regularly spaced apart along the rim and constituting undulations. The tray is applicable to metallurgy, and in particular to distilling metals such as zinc.

Abstract: A process for separating alkenes from a methylchlorosilane mixture by adding at least a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen chloride necessary for saturating the alkenes in the methylchlorosilane mixture and thereafter removing resulting chloroalkanes by distillation.

Abstract: A method of continuously distilling off the components of a mixture containing phenols, water and methanol using a single distillation column, wherein methanol is recovered from the top of the column, water containing phenols is dragged as a side stream from a recovery section of the column, and phenols are recovered as a bottom product. The method permits efficient separation by the single distillation column of the three components with high purity and low utility energy.

Abstract: Formic acid difficult to separate from acetic acid by conventional distillation or rectification because of the close proximity of their boiling points. Formic acid can be readily separated from acetic acid by using azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are cyclopentane and tetrachloroethylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous method for refining acetic anhydride produced by the reaction of ketene and acetic acid by means of a vacuum distillation system to provide a refined material comprised of at least 99.5 weight percent acetic anhydride, not more than 0.5 weight percent acetic acid and not more than about 90 parts per million (ppm) diketene.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalytic composition for the polymerization of olefins. At least partial electrochemical oxidation of aluminum in a solvent of .alpha., .omega.-dihalogeno-alkane and simultaneously the electrochemical reduction of a compound of titanium (IV) occur in process.The catalytic composition comprises at least one titanium compound, at least one halogenated organs-aluminum compound and at least one inorganic magnesium compound in suspension in at least one .alpha.,.omega.-dihalogeno-alkane. The titanium compound is essentially a titanium (III) compound. The overall content of titanium (II) and titanium (IV) is less than or equal to 15% of the total titanium content.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing chlorine dioxide which comprises feeding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate to a first ion exchange compartment of an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment and at least one ion exchange compartment between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, electrolyzing an anolyte in the anode compartment to generate hydrogen ions, passing the hydrogen ions from the anode compartment through a cation exchange membrane into the first ion exchange compartment to displace alkali metal ions and produce an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate, passing alkali metal ions from the first ion exchange compartment into the cathode compartment, and reacting in a chlorine dioxide generator the aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate substantially free of anionic and cationic impurities with a reducing agent which does not form persistent anions in the generator solution, to generate chlorine dioxide and

Abstract: A method for the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride in an electrolytic cell is disclosed, in which use is made of a cation exchange membrane comprising a carboxylate-containing fluorocarbon polymer layer disposed on a cathode compartment side and provided on its surface with an inorganic coating, and a sulfonate and/or carboxylate-containing fluorocarbon polymer layer disposed on an anode compartment side and having a water content of from 3 to 10% by weight. By this method, an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium hydroxide, can be directly produced in a concentration as high as 45-55 % by weight from a saline solution having an alkali metal chloride concentration as low as from 3.0 to 3.5N with reduced energy consumption, stably for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An electrochemical installation for treating aqueous effluent containing a heavy metal, the installation comprising an electroplating reactor for the heavy metal, itself comprising a tank in which alternating electrodes of opposite polarity are placed, the cathodes being removable volume electrodes each constituted by a cassette in the form of two facing frames each supporting a wall that is permeable to said aqueous effluent, the permeable walls of a single cathode defining a space that is filled with an active granular material and in which a metal current-feed grid is disposed. According to the invention, the installation further comprises a regeneration electrochemical reactor for receiving the cathodes as anodes, the metal constituting the metal current-feed grids being selected from metals having an oxidation-reduction potential greater than that of the heavy metal to be electroplated and enabling the end of regeneration to be detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical enzyme biosensor for use in liquid mixtures of components for detecting the presence of, or measuring the amount of, one or more selected components. The enzyme electrode of the present invention includes a redox polymer immobilized on an electrode surface, one or more enzymes, at least one of which is a de-hydrogenase, a coenzyme and an electron collector.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying a fluorinated cation exchange membrane by irradiation of the membrane in its salt form with a sufficient dose of non-spark-producing radiation to increase the current efficiency in the use of the membrane for electrolyzing sodium chloride solution to produce high concentrations of caustic.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of fluorobenzenes having at least one hydrogen atom as ring substituent and, optionally, further substituents, which, independently of each other, can be chlorine, bromine, nitro, hydroxyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl, the number of nitro groups being not more than 2 and the number of hydroxyl groups and alkoxy groups being not more than 3 in each case, by heating the corresponding benzaldehydes, substituted by at least one flourine atom, in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that the reaction product is immediately removed from the reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methodology for analyzing isoenzymes using capillary zone electrophoresis ("CZE") techniques. Briefly, an isoenzyme-containing sample and a substrate capable of being catalyzed by said isoenzyme into a reaction product are introduced into a capillary column comprising a buffer. Most preferably, the buffer contains the substrate prior to introduction of the sample into such substrate-buffer. CZE separation techniques are applied to the column such that the isoenzymes are separated from each other into discrete zones. The separation techniques are terminated such that product is rapidly generated by the catalytic conversion of substrate by the isoenzymes, and accumulated, within each discrete zone, followed by detection of product. Information regarding the relative distribution of the isoenzymes can be derived from the relative distribution of the product.

Abstract: Process for anodic or cathodic electrocoating of strip or profile material in which electrical contact is made with the strip or profile material, in which an electrically conductive connection is made from at least one surface of the strip or profile material to a cathode or anode by means of a continuous stream or curtain of liquid issuing from the cathode or anode and comprising a walter-soluble paint as the electrolytic liquid, in which the strip or profile material is conveyed for continuous application of the electrolytic liquid to at least one surface, in which the paint particles which form a film on at least one surface are transported with the electrolytic liquid and in which the paint particles which form a film on at least one surface of the strip or profile material are coagulated by applying a direct current voltage between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: Complexes and salts of metal cations in aqueous solutions are electrodialytically converted into a solution of acids substantially free of metal cations and insoluble metal hydroxides. Metal cations are insolubilized by hydroxyl ions formed in a catholyte while anions are electrotransported from the catholyte and converted into a solution of acids by hydrogen ions formed in an anolyte of an electrodialytic process. The conversion process is carried out electrically without the electrotransport of metal cations and is especially useful for reforming solutions of acids that form complexes when etching and finishing metal surfaces.

Abstract: The invention essentially relates to a method for the separation, identification and quantification of the isoenzymes and isoforms of alkaline phosphatase in samples of physiological fluid or tissue extracts, in which method a buffer, at least one nonionic detergent and at least one anionic detergent are applied to a support medium.Hepatic, osseous, placental, macromolecular and intestinal isoenzymes and isoenzymes bound to LpX, in particular, may be detected reliably while avoiding, as far as possible, the use of confirmation tests.

Abstract: A transparent substrate, such as glass, having a solar control coating consisting of a CrN layer between two SnO, layers. The solar control coating is arranged on the back side of the substrate which will face away from an observer when in place. A sub-oxidic alloy, such as NiCrO is then applied to the solar control coating.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing cation exchange membrane for electrolysis, which comprises a first layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having cation exchange groups and reinforced with a porous base material and a second layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having carboxylic acid groups, present on the cathode side of the first layer, wherein at least 1/2 of the thickness of the porous base material protrudes from the first layer towards the anode side, the protrusions of the porous base material are covered with a coating layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having cation exchange groups so that the coating layer is integrated with the first layer, and the anode side surface of the coating layer has a roughness corresponding to the surface contour of the porous base material.

Abstract: A capillary tube with a charged inner surface for use in capillary electrophoresis and methods. The tube is filled with an electrolyte solution containing 0.05-30% weight/weight of a hydrophilic polymer which is characterized by (A) a molecular weight of 20-5,000 kilodaltons, and (B) a charge between 0.01 and 1.0% as measured by the molar percent of charged monomer subunits to the total polymer subunits, where said charged monomer subunits have the charge opposite to the wall charge at a selected electrophoresis pH.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of an aqueous liquid includes a flat, cylindrical treatment chamber made of electrically insulating material. Two flat electrode plates are disposed parallel to and spaced from each other in opposite side walls of the treatment chamber. Each electrode plate is insulated from the liquid by a thin layer of electrical insulation. One terminal of a d.c. high voltage source is connected to the electrode plates so that the same voltage is applied to both plates. The opposite terminal of the voltage source is connected to electrically conductive means in direct contact with the liquid so that an electrostatic field is established between the two electrode plates and the liquid itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor comprising an electrical insulating substrate, a main electrode system formed on the substrate and having a working electrode and a counter electrode, a reaction layer provided in contact with or in the vicinity of the main electrode system and containing an oxidoreductase, and a sub electrode system as a reference provided with an interval from the main electrode system and having a working electrode and a counter electrode.

Abstract: An improved enzyme electrode includes a three-dimensional redox polymer network having redox enzymes bound thereto, and also having a protein excluding polymeric coating.

Abstract: An improved enzyme electrode includes a three-dimensional redox polymer network having redox enzymes bound thereto, and also having a protein excluding polymeric coating.

Abstract: An amperometric sensor comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, an enzyme whose catalytic activity on a substrate results in electroactivity, and an enhancer compound which enhances the detected electroactivity.

Abstract: A nickel plug (31) filling an aperture in an insulating layer (30), such as polyimide, separating two metallization levels of copper wires (28, 25) is formed by an electroless process in a plating bath (solution) containing ions of hypophosphite and of nickel. In preparation for this electroless process, the copper wires (28, 25) are first plated with a nickel layer (29) by a pseudo-electroless process-that is, a process in which the copper wires (28, 25) are located in contact with an underlying extended chromium layer (14) that is placed in electrical contact (including intimate physical contact) with an auxiliary metallic member (41) that contains nickel, while both the copper wires (28, 25), the chromium layer (14), and at least a portion of the external metallic layer (41) are immersed in a plating solution likewise containing ions of hypophosphite and of nickel.

Abstract: A process for laser patterning of a substrate so that it can be subsequently electroplated or electrolessly plated. The process utilizes a laser to treat an inactive (inert) layer formed over an active layer to either combine or remove the inactive layer to produce a patterned active layer on which electrodeposition can occur. The process is carried out by utilizing laser alloying and laser etching, and involves only a few relatively high yield steps and can be performed on a very small scale.

Abstract: A zirconium or zirconium alloy passivation process comprises providing an electrolyte which is capable of removing nickel, nickel alloys and alloys containing nickel from the surface of a zirconium or zirconium alloy article, keeping the dissolved metal in solution while simultaneously anodizing the article surfaces. Such nickel, if not removed provides a window for hydride accumulation to occur, detrimentally affecting the alloy properties when subject to a nuclear reactor environment. An article placed in the electrolyte in proximity to a cathode and connected to a power source has the trace nickel, nickel alloys and alloys containing nickel removed to background levels and reduces the potential for hydride accumulation within the article in a nuclear reactor environment, and provides for increased article life.

Abstract: A method of electrolytically graining aluminium, aluminium alloy or aluminium laminate, desirably in a substantially uniform manner, in particular for use as a lithographic printing plate substrate, is disclosed wherein the graining is effected using a square wave alternating current.

Abstract: A method of electrodepositing a film including the steps of immersing a conductive substrate opposite a counterelectrode in an organochloroindate melt comprising a salt of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony, and an InCl.sub.3 -dialkylimidazolium chloride wherein the alkyl groups each comprise no more than four carbons, and the molar ratio of the InCl.sub.3 to the organic chloride ranges from about 45/55 to 2/3; and cathodizing said substrate at a potential selected to codeposit In and said metal. In addition, substitution of a small amount of InCl.sub.3 with a trichloride salt of another Group III metal can be employed to obtain deposits containing other Group III metals. For molar ratios of the metal salt to InCl.sub.3 other than 45/55, the melt is heated to 45.degree. C. or greater.

Abstract: The invention concerns acid nickel baths containing 1-(2-sulfoethyl)-pyridinium betaine

Abstract: A two-step process for the coating of magnesium and its alloys is disclosed. The first step comprises immersing the magnesium workpiece in a first electrochemical solution comprising about 3 to 10 wt-% of a hydroxide and about 5 to 30 wt-% of a fluoride having a pH of at least about 12. By controlling a current density to about 10 to 200 mA/cm.sup.2, an increasing voltage differential is established between an anode comprising the pretreated article and a cathode also in contact with the electrolytic solution. Next, the article is immersed in an aqueous electrolytic solution having a pH of at least about 11 and which solution is prepared from components comprising a water soluble hydroxide, a water soluble fluoride source and a water soluble silicate in amounts to result in an addition of about 2 to 15 g of a hydroxide per liter of solution, about 2 to 14 g of a fluoride per liter of solution and about 5 to 40 g of a silicate per liter of solution.