Abstract: An ink transfer medium, and a method for manufacturing the medium are provided. The ink transfer medium is of the electrically fusible type, and has an anisotropically electrically conductive layer characterized by greater electrical conductivity in the direction normal to the surface of the layer than in a direction parallel to the surface of the layer. Other layers sequentially provided next to each other, include a resistive layer for converting an electrical signal into heat, a conductive layer, an ink separation layer, and a fusible ink layer. Examples are given illustrating the use of the ink transfer medium. The anisotropically electrically conductive layer may be made by anodizing an aluminum cylinder to form an alumina body defining a plurality of through-pores and electrolytically filling the through-pores with a metal such as nickel or cobalt.

Abstract: A fast and brightly colored oxide film of aluminum which excels in durability and allows no separation of pigment is produced by using an aqueous dispersion of an organic pigment or carbon black finely divided to a size in the range between 3 and 150 nm, forming on a surface of an aluminum member an anodic oxide film containing pores larger in diameter than the ordinary pores, and causing the organic pigment or carbon black to migrate and deposit in the pores of the oxide film by means of electrophoresis. The formation of the anodic oxide film containing the pores larger in diameter than the ordinary pores is accomplished in the first method by subjecting the aluminum member to anodic oxidation at a high voltage in an aqueous solution of acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of the formula[NH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 ].sub.a [C.sub.6 H.sub.3 (COOH) (SO.sub.3 H) (OH)].sub.bwhereina is 1 andb is from 1 to 2.The compound is useful for stabilizing tin (II) compounds against oxidation, in particular in the electrolytic coloring of aluminum or aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A bilayer oxide film which comprises a preferably porous layer containing aluminum oxide and a non-porous layer comprising an oxide of a valve metal, e.g. tantalum. The layers are integral. The film is produced by forming a coating of aluminium or an anodizable aluminum alloy on a valve metal (or alloy), anodizing the resulting structure in an electrolyte (preferably one capable of converting the aluminum (or alloy) to a porous oxide film) in the presence of an adhesion-reducing agent (e.g. fluoride ions) that makes the resulting anodized bilayer film easily detachable from the remaining valve metal. The bilayer film is then detached from the valve metal, e.g. by adhering a flexible plastic film to the bilayer and using the film to peel off the bilayer from the valve metal. The resulting bilayer can be used for a variety of purposes, e.g. as a vapor or oxygen barrier useful for packaging, or as a coating containing magnetic particles used to make a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for surface treatment in which the surface of aluminium or its alloy can be put in a desired color and the improved wear resistance and corrosion resistance can be obtained. Anodic oxidation coatings obtained by conventional alumite treatment is porous and thus is small in wear resistance and in corrosion resistance and is insufficient in durability of coloring. The process of the present invention is characterized in that the process comprises the steps of: forming anodic oxidation coatings by conventional method on the surface of the aluminium or its alloy, thereafter applying an alternating voltage of 10 V.about.30 V within a sulfate solution or nitrate solution of a desired metal to a member on which said anodic oxidation coatings was formed by the above step, whereby said metal is electrolytically impregnated into said anodic oxidation coatings.

Abstract: A method is described for producing colored surfaces on parts of aluminum or aluminum alloy which is characterized by the following process steps:1. The parts are pre-treated by degreasing or cleaning,2. The parts are electrolytically anodically/alkalinely brightened,3. The parts are electrolytically anodized with the use of direct current,4. The parts are electrolytically and/or organically colored, and5. The oxide layer on the parts is compacted.