Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings that provide corrosion resistance to parts having protruding features, such as edges, corners and convex-shaped features, are described. According to some embodiments, the anodic oxide coatings include an inner porous layer and an outer porous layer. The inner layer is adjacent to an underlying metal substrate and is formed under compressive stress anodizing conditions that allow the inner porous layer to be formed generally crack-free. In this way, the inner porous layer acts as a barrier that prevents water or other corrosion-inducing agents from reaching the underlying metal substrate. The outer porous layer can be thicker and harder than the inner porous layer, thereby increasing the overall hardness of the anodic oxide coating.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of 6000 series aluminum alloys. The molten aluminum alloy is formed into a formed body having beta-AlFeSi particles. The formed body is solution heat treated at a temperature in a range of 1,025-1,070° F. to form a heat treated body. The solution heat treating transforms substantially all of the beta-AlFeSi particles into alpha-AlFeSi particles such that the heat treated body is substantially free of the beta-AlFeSi particles.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of 6000 series aluminum alloys. The molten aluminum alloy is formed into a formed body having beta-AlFeSi particles. The formed body is solution heat treated at a temperature in a range of 1,025-1,070° F. to form a heat treated body. The solution heat treating transforms substantially all of the beta-AlFeSi particles into alpha-AlFeSi particles such that the heat treated body is substantially free of the beta-AlFeSi particles.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing an electrode for an electrolytic capacitor, the method comprising: a hydration step in which an aluminum electrode is immersed in a hydration treatment solution having a temperature of 80° C. or higher; and a chemical conversion step in which the aluminum electrode is subjected to chemical conversion treatment up to a formation voltage of at least 400 V. The hydration treatment solution contains a hydration inhibitor. The thickness of a hydrated film formed in the hydration step satisfies the following condition, 0.6?t2/t1?1, wherein t1 is the average thickness of the hydrated film formed in a depth range of up to 100 ?m from the surface of the aluminum electrode, and t2 is the average thickness s of the hydrated film formed in a deep portion at least 100 ?m from the surface of the aluminum electrode.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition and method to control dimensional growth during an anodizing process. Potassium permanganate has been discovered, when added to an anodizing solution containing at least one acid, to minimize dimensional change. This novel composition and method were found to be safer, quicker and less expensive than the conventional method of anodizing aluminum. In addition, the novel composition and method were found to have superior properties to aluminum anodized by the conventional method with respect to durability and corrosion resistance. In addition to anodizing, the novel solution described herein is capable of several other uses including the removal of organic and metal contaminants from solution, producing black electroless nickel on a substrate, producing a bright nickel coating on a substrate such as aluminum, and cleaning and activating aluminum for plating.

Abstract: Provided are a method for an anodizing treatment on an aluminum-based material and a structure of an internal combustion engine which are provided with both high heat insulation properties and a high corrosion resistance, a high durability and a high impact resistance, and high water-repellent and oil-repellent functions. This method comprises the steps of: forming a second anodic oxide coating 2b by application of AC-DC superimposition electrolysis to an aluminum-based material 1; and, after the step, forming a first anodic oxide coating 2a by application of direct-current electrolysis to the aluminum-based material 1, wherein the second anodic oxide coating 2b is formed on the first anodic oxide coating 2a.

Abstract: A method of growing a hierarchically structured anodized film to an aluminum substrate including growing a Phosphoric Acid Anodizing (PAA) film layer to an aluminum substrate and growing a multiple of Tartaric-Sulfuric Acid Anodizing (TSA) film layers under the Phosphoric Acid Anodizing (PAA) film layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mold includes (a) anodizing an aluminum substrate at a voltage of 60 V to 120 V in an electrolytic solution in which two or more species of acid are mixed, and forming an oxide film having a plurality of minute holes on a surface of the aluminum substrate; and (b) removing at least a portion of the oxide film. The electrolytic solution used in (a) satisfies the relation (D1)/2<D2, where D1 is the current density when the aluminum substrate is anodized under the same conditions as in (a) in an electrolytic solution of only the acid (A) having the highest acid dissociation constant (Ka) of the two or more species of acid, and D2 is the current density when the aluminum substrate is anodized under the same conditions (a) in the same electrolytic solution as that of (a).

Abstract: A method for the antimicrobial provision of implant surfaces with silver, in which the method comprises an anodizing of the implant surface with an electrolyte, in which the electrolyte has a silver-yielding substance. Alternatively, the method comprises a silver implantation or a silver PVD deposition.

Abstract: A method for forming substantially white anodized aluminum oxide on an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate is provided. A porous aluminum oxide layer is formed on the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate by anodization in an acid electrolyte. Following formation of the anodized porous layer of aluminum oxide, the aluminum/aluminum alloy substrate is sequentially immersed in at least two reaction material solutions. The two or more reaction materials react to deposit a substantially white pigment material in the pores of the anodized aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motheye mold according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) anodizing a surface of an aluminum film (10a) via an electrode (32a) that is in contact with the surface, thereby forming a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of very small recessed portions; (b) after step (a), allowing the porous alumina layer to be in contact with an etchant, thereby enlarging the very small recessed portions of the porous alumina layer; and (c) after step (b), further anodizing the surface to grow the plurality of very small recessed portions. The aluminum film is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.99 mass % or higher. The electrode includes a first electrode portion (32a1) which is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.50 mass % or lower and a second electrode portion (32a2) which is made of aluminum with a higher purity than the aluminum of the first electrode portion and which is interposed between the surface and the first electrode portion.

Abstract: A mold of the present invention includes: a base 12 made of glass or plastic; an inorganic underlayer 14 provided on a surface of the base 12; a buffer layer 16 provided on the inorganic underlayer 14, the buffer layer 16 containing aluminum; an aluminum layer 18a provided on a surface of the buffer layer 16; and a porous alumina layer 20 provided on a surface of the aluminum layer 18a. The porous alumina layer 20 has a plurality of recessed portions 22 whose two-dimensional size viewed in a direction normal to the surface is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm. The mold of the present invention has excellent adhesion between the aluminum layer and the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing m (where, m is an integer of 1 or more) number of molds for nanoimprinting in which anodic alumina having a microrelief structure composed of a plurality of pores is formed on the surface of an aluminum base material, wherein the method has one or more anodic oxidation steps for anodically oxidizing an aluminum base material in an electrolytic solution for each of m number of aluminum base materials, and a difference (X?X0) between the aluminum concentration X in the electrolytic solution and the aluminum concentration X0 in the electrolytic solution immediately prior to the first anodic oxidation step of the first aluminum base material is 1000 ppm or less in all of the anodic oxidation steps.

Abstract: A method for making a stamper which has an uneven surface pattern, in which unit structures are arranged in x and y directions at respective periods that are both shorter than the shortest wavelength of an incoming light ray, on the surface of a substrate and satisfies the following Inequality (1): ? ? ? x , y ? min < 1 ni + ni · sin ? ? ? ? ? i max ( 1 ) where ?min is the shortest wavelength of the incoming light ray, ?imax is the largest angle of incidence of the incoming light ray, ni is the refractive index of an incidence medium, ?x is the period of the uneven surface pattern in the x direction, and ?y is the period of the pattern in the y direction. As a result, diffraction of short-wave light components can be reduced in a broad wavelength range.

Abstract: Frost-free surfaces and methods for manufacturing such surfaces are described. The frost-free surfaces reduce ice build-up, prevent vapor condensation and reduce adhesion force between ice and a solid substrate. The surfaces can be on parts used in devices where superhydrophobic properties may be obtained post or during device manufacturing. The superhydrophobic properties are the result of aluminum oxide clusters made on such surfaces.

Abstract: A method of cross-flow filtration using a membrane filter has a feeding a fluid to be filtered across a membrane surface of a porous alumina membrane filter serving as the membrane filter so that the fluid flows parallel to the membrane surface to separate material to be filtered with the porous alumina membrane filter. The porous alumina membrane filter is made of an aluminum anodized film and includes micropores having a degree of ordering as defined by formula (1): Degree of ordering (%)=B/A×100??(1) of at least 50%, a porosity as defined by formula (2): Porosity (%)=C/D×100??(2) of at least 40%, and a percentage of a pore size standard deviation to an average pore size of up to 10%.

Abstract: A radiation reflection plate for use in LEDs is a reflection plate including an aluminum alloy layer with a depth of at least 10 ?m and an anodized film formed at a surface thereof. Pore portions of the anodized film have at least two layers of different refractive indices in a depth direction, and light reflection is enhanced in the anodized film. The radiation reflection plate has high heat dissipation properties and is capable of increasing the reflectance of light at desired specific wavelengths.

Abstract: The electrolysis solution for electrolytic ceramic coating includes water, a water-soluble zirconium compound, a complexing agent, carbonate ion, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal ion, ammonium ion and an organic alkali. Te zirconium compound is included at a concentration (X) in terms of zirconium of 0.0001 to 1 mol/L, the complexing agent is included at a concentration (Y) of 0.0001 to 0.3 mol/L, the carbonate ion is included at a concentration (Z) of 0.0002 to 4 mol/L, a ratio of the concentration (Y) of the complexing agent to the concentration (X) in terms of zirconium (Y/X) is at least 0.01, a ratio of the concentration (Z) of the carbonate ion to the concentration (X) in terms of zirconium (Z/X) is at least 2.5, and the electrolysis solution has an electrical conductivity of 0.2 to 20 S/m.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motheye mold according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) anodizing a surface of an aluminum film (10a) via an electrode (32a) that is in contact with the surface, thereby forming a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of very small recessed portions; (b) after step (a), allowing the porous alumina layer to be in contact with an etchant, thereby enlarging the very small recessed portions of the porous alumina layer; and (c) after step (b), further anodizing the surface to grow the plurality of very small recessed portions. The aluminum film is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.99 mass % or higher. The electrode includes a first electrode portion (32a1) which is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.50 mass % or lower and a second electrode portion (32a2) which is made of aluminum with a higher purity than the aluminum of the first electrode portion and which is interposed between the surface and the first electrode portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium having high recording density. The magnetic recording medium manufacturing method of the present invention is directed to a manufacturing method including: disposing at least a silicon layer on a substrate; disposing an uneven structure including regularly arranged projections on the silicon layer; disposing magnetic material on the upper surfaces of the projections and within recessed parts of the uneven structure; and allowing the magnetic material disposed within each recessed part to be changed into silicon compound by heat treatment.

Abstract: An aluminum circuit board includes a body unit and a conductive wiring unit. The body unit includes an aluminum substrate, an alumina layer formed on the aluminum substrate, and a medium deposit formed on the alumina layer and made of nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, silver, zinc, tin, molybdenum, or combinations thereof. The conductive wiring unit is formed on the body unit and is bonded to the medium deposit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microstructure comprising an aluminum anodized film bearing through micropores, wherein a surface of the microstructure is covered with a protective film for preventing hydration of the aluminum anodized film. The microstructure may be used as a porous alumina membrane filter excellent in filtration rate and its stability with time.

Abstract: A microstructure includes an anodized aluminum layer that has on a surface thereof micropores, at least some of which contain a catalyst, in a micropore array with a degree of ordering of at least 40%. A method of manufacturing the microstructure includes anodizing an aluminum member to form on its surface an anodized layer having micropores, removing the aluminum member, and supporting a catalyst on at least part of the anodized layer. The microstructure is excellent in heat resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a stamper which has anodized alumina formed on the surface thereof and which will not cause macroscopic unevenness or color unevenness on the transcribed surface; a method for producing the same; and a method for producing a molded material without macroscopic unevenness or color unevenness on the transcribed surface thereof by using such a stamper. The stamper includes alumina which has a microasperity structure and which is formed by anodization on the surface of a prototype aluminum mold having an aluminum purity of 99.5% or more, an average crystal-grain diameter of 1 mm or less, and an arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra of 0.05 ?m or less. The use of this stamper enables the production of a molded material which does not have macroscopic unevenness or color unevenness on the transcribed surface thereof and which is suitable for use as an antireflection article and the like.

Abstract: Membranes including anodic aluminum oxide structures that are adapted for separation, purification, filtration, analysis, reaction and sensing. The membranes can include a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure having pore channels extending through the AAO structure. The membrane may also include an active layer, such as one including an active layer material and/or active layer pore channels. The active layer is intimately integrated within the AAO structure, thus enabling great robustness, reliability, resistance to mechanical stress and thermal cycling, and high selectivity. Methods for the fabrication of anodic aluminum oxide structures and membranes are also provided.

Abstract: In this method for producing an anti-reflective film, pores are formed on a surface of a polymer molding material to continuously change a refractive index and then reduce reflectance, in which anodic oxidized porous alumina, in which pores having a tapered shape and whose pore diameter continuously changes, are formed by repeating anodic oxidation at about the same formation voltage and pore diameter enlargement treatment, is used as a mold, or a stamper, which is produced by using the anodic oxidized porous aluminum as a mold, is used as a mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microstructure wherein an aluminum member having an aluminum substrate and a micropore-bearing anodized film present on a surface of the aluminum substrate is subjected at least to, in order, a pore-ordering treatment which involves performing one or more cycles of a step that includes a first film dissolution treatment for dissolving the anodized film until a barrier layer has a thickness of 3 to 50 nm, and an anodizing treatment which follows the first film dissolution treatment; and a second film dissolution treatment for dissolving the anodized film so that a ratio of a diameter of a micropore opening “a” to a micropore diameter at a height “a/2” from a micropore bottom “b” (a/b) is in a range of 0.9 to 1.1, whereby the microstructure having micropores formed on a surface thereof is obtained. The manufacturing method enables microstructures having an ordered array of pits to be obtained in a short period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a microstructure, wherein an aluminum substrate is subjected to, in order, (1) a step of subjecting a surface of the aluminum substrate to a first anodizing treatment to form an anodized film having micropores on the surface of the aluminum substrate; (2) a step of partially dissolving the anodized film using an acid or alkali; (3) a step of performing a second anodizing treatment to grow the micropores in their depth direction; and (4) a step of removing a part of the anodized film above inflection points in cross section of the micropores, whereby the microstructure having the micropores formed at a surface of the anodized film is obtained and a microstructure manufactured by the method. The method is capable of obtaining in a short period of time a microstructure having an ordered array of pits without using highly toxic chromic (VI) acid.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a microstructure, an aluminum member having an aluminum substrate and a micropore-bearing anodized layer present on a surface of the aluminum substrate is subjected at least to, in order, a pore-ordering treatment which involves performing one or more cycles of a step that includes a first film dissolution treatment for dissolving 0.001 to 20 wt % of a material constituting the anodized layer and an anodizing treatment which follows the first film dissolution treatment; and a second film dissolution treatment for dissolving the anodized layer, thereby obtaining the microstructure having micropores formed on a surface thereof. This method enables a microstructure having an ordered array of pits to be obtained in a short period of time.

Abstract: An antireflective member according to the present invention has an uneven surface pattern, in which unit structures are arranged in x and y directions at respective periods that are both shorter than the shortest wavelength of an incoming light ray, on the surface of a substrate and satisfies the following Inequality (1): ? ? ? x , y ? min < 1 ni + ni · sin ? ? ? ? ? i max ( 1 ) where ?min is the shortest wavelength of the incoming light ray, ?imax is the largest angle of incidence of the incoming light ray, ni is the refractive index of an incidence medium, ?x is the period of the uneven surface pattern in the x direction, and ?y is the period of the pattern in the y direction. As a result, diffraction of short-wave light components can be reduced in a broad wavelength range.

Abstract: A fabricating method of field emission triodes is provided. First, a cathode conductive layer, an insulator layer, and a gate layer are formed on a substrate. An opening is formed in the insulator layer and the gate layer to expose a portion of the cathode conductive layer. A metal layer is formed on the cathode conductive layer. A first anodization is performed so as to form a first metal anodization layer from a portion of the metal layer. After the first metal anodization layer is removed, a second metal anodization layer having a plurality of pores is formed. Thereafter, a catalyst layer is formed in the pores. Then, a plurality of carbon nanotubes are formed in the pores.

Abstract: An aluminum plate having an aluminum purity of not less than 99.98% by mass and an Fe content of 5 to 50 ppm with the balance consisting of unavoidable impurities is used to realize increased capacitance of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, reduced height, and improved high frequency characteristics. In this aluminum plate, the total content of Fe in crystal/precipitate is 1 to 50% based on the original content, and the thickness of the aluminum plate is 0.2 to 1 mm. In the formation of a capacitor anode, the aluminum plate is subjected to alternate current etching so as to leave a core part having an average thickness of 50 to 150 ?m in the center part in the thickness-wise direction to increase the surface area, followed by anodic oxidation.

Abstract: An anodized coating suitable for formation of highly regulated pores is provided. A method for production of a structure having pores characterized by including the steps of: forming starting points at predetermined intervals in an aluminum alloy formed on a substrate, and forming pores by anodization with the starting points as origins. In another embodiment, first and second aluminum alloy layers are anodized to form pores penetrating into the layers, wherein a diameter of a pore in the first alloy is different from a diameter of a pore in the second alloy. In an additional embodiment, a substrate is anodized to form pores, wherein the substrate contains an additive which changes the diameter within each pore, the amount of the additive continuously changing along the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: Provided are electron-emitting devices improved in durability during concentration of an electric field and thus rarely suffering chain discharge breakdown. An electron-emitting device has an electroconductive film, a layer placed on the electroconductive film and containing aluminum oxide as a main component, a pore placed in the layer containing aluminum oxide as a main component, and an electron emitter placed in the pore and containing a material of the electroconductive film, and the electron emitter is porous and is electrically connected to the electroconductive film.

Abstract: An anodic oxide film is formed on an aluminium or aluminium alloy work piece by forming an anodic oxide film on the work piece by AC electrolysis followed by subjecting the work piece to DC electrolysis. The AC anodizing step may be conducted at a voltage of 5 to 30V for 30 seconds to 10 minutes and the DC anodizing step may be conducted at a voltage of 5 to 30V for a period of 1 to 20 minutes. The anodic oxide coating is suitable for adhesive bonding of aluminium alloy work pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a microstructure, wherein an aluminum substrate is subjected to, in order, (1) a step of subjecting a surface of the aluminum substrate to a first anodizing treatment to form an anodized film having micropores on the surface of the aluminum substrate; (2) a step of partially dissolving the anodized film using an acid or alkali; (3) a step of performing a second anodizing treatment to grow the micropores in their depth direction; and (4) a step of removing a part of the anodized film above inflection points in cross section of the micropores, whereby the microstructure having the micropores formed at a surface of the anodized film is obtained and a microstructure manufactured by the method. The method is capable of obtaining in a short period of time a microstructure having an ordered array of pits without using highly toxic chromic (VI) acid.

Abstract: A fluid control device has very fine pores with an average diameter not greater than 10 nm and provides a large flux. The fluid control device comprises an anodized alumina film having fine pores and a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores and made from an AlSi mixed film and the fine pores and the very fine pores are at least partly linked with each other. The fluid control device is prepared from a film including at least an aluminum layer and an AlSi mixed film by forming an anodized alumina film having fine pores by way of an anodization process for the aluminum layer part and also forming a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores containing silicon as principal ingredient by way of an anodization process or etching process for the AlSi mixed film. The fluid control device can be used as filter or ultrafilter film that allows fluid and gas to pass through it.

Abstract: The present invention uses a two-step anodizing process to produce a colored anodized coating on the surface of an aluminum part. In accordance with this invention, a thin hard anodized coating layer is first formed on the surface of the aluminum part and then growing a softer a clear anodized coating layer on the surface of the aluminum part underneath the hard coat layer. The soft coat is essentially colorless and suitable for color finishing. This invention drastically improves the wear resistance of the aluminum part while maintaining a desired amount of clarity for effective electrolytic coloring.

Abstract: A process for the production of wear-resistant, coated surfaces includes the use of at least two electrodes connected to a voltages source which are mounted in, or border, a reaction space through which an electrolyte flows in which the surface to be coated is located. The process is distinguished by the fact that the direction of the flow of the electrolyte is selectively reversed at least once during the coating process to enable better control of the formation of the oxide layer.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises a substrate having thereon an anodic oxidation layer, with the printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic layer containing at least one kind of fine particles selected from the group consisting of heat-fusible hydrophobic thermoplastic fine particles, finely divided polymers having thermally reactive functional groups and microcapsules in which compounds having heat-reactive functional groups are encapsulated, and with the anodic oxidation layer having a surface over which micropores having an average pore size of 6 to 40 nm are uniformly distributed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining gold-colored aluminum oxide layers in which the coloring of the oxidized surface of the aluminum or aluminum alloys is carried out by an electrolytic process in an electrolyte comprising an alkanesulfonic acid and an alkanesulfonate of silver, and to the use of the gold-colored workpieces based on aluminum or aluminum alloys produced by this process for decorative purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous anodizing of aluminum foil for use in aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Specifically, etched anode foil is anodized to relatively low voltage in a two-step reel-to-reel process. The process is particularly useful for anodizing highly-etched aluminum foil for use in surface mount aluminum capacitors containing conductive polymer cathode material. The process is economical and provides high foil quality. Specifically, the process for anodizing aluminum foil comprises anodizing the foil in a first electrolyte a solution, passing the foil through an oven, anodizing the foil in a second anodizing solution wherein the first electrolyte solution and second electrolyte solution each comprise about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % glycerine, about 0.01 wt % to about 0.2 wt % ammonium phosphate, and de-ionized water, and wherein the foil is anodized in the first electrolyte solution for at least 3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying a protective layer (42) to the cathode (40) of an electrolysis cell (10), where the cell also contains inert anodes (50) and the protective layer (42) can comprise a plurality of layers (70, 72, 74) with an inner layer (70) of TiB2 being preferred, and the protective layer (42) protects the cathode (40)from hot gases (64) used to pre-heat the cell (10).

Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum substrate comprising heating the substrate to a first temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; suspending the substrate into a first electrolyte and applying a first anodizing current to the first electrolyte; rinsing the substrate; heating the substrate to a second temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; and suspending the substrate into a second electrolyte and applying a second anodizing current to the second electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte and second electrolyte each comprise an aqueous solution of at least one salt of alpha-hydroxy acid.

Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum substrate comprising heating the substrate to a first temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; suspending the substrate into a first electrolyte and applying a first anodizing current to the first electrolyte; rinsing the substrate; heating the substrate to a second temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; and suspending the substrate into a second electrolyte and applying a second anodizing current to the second electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte and second electrolyte each comprise an aqueous solution of at least one salt of alpha-hydroxy acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming an aluminum oxide film of a large surface area on an electrode for a high voltage electrolytic capacitor. In accordance with the method, an oxide film of a uniform thickness is formed, prior to a process of etching the oxide film. A re-anodization is then partially conducted for an etched portion of the oxide film. The resultant oxide film has an increased surface area. The method of the invention makes it possible to prepare a dielectric oxide film having characteristics of a uniform thickness and a large surface area. In accordance with the invention, it is possible to expect an increase in the capacitance of electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: A method for making an anode foil for an aluminum electrolytic capacitor which comprises a first anodizing step of forming an anodized film on the surface of an aluminum foil, an immersion treatment step of immersing this aluminum foil in an aqueous solution containing alkaline metal ions, a step of feeding an electric current to the aluminum foil from a current feeding cell 3 having a current feeding solution 6 and a current feeding electrode 5 connected to the anode of a direct-current power source 7, and a second anodizing step of forming by applying a higher voltage than in the first anodizing step.

Abstract: Methods of producing aluminum picture frames having two regions of different colors. Aluminum frame stock is coated with a colored maskant or paint. Selective regions of the coated frame stock are abraded, and then anodized and dyed a second color absorbed by the exposed regions. In a second embodiment, aluminum frame stock is etched, anodized, and dyed a first color. The frame stock is then selectively abraded to remove regions of the first color, and then anodized and dyed a second color so the abraded regions absorb the second color. In a third embodiment, the frame stock is first etched, anodized, and dyed a first color. Selective areas of the frame stock are protected using an etch-resistant mask and is then etched stripping the unmasked regions of the first color and then anodized again and dyed a second color absorbed by the unmasked regions. The mask is then chemically removed.

Abstract: An anode foil treatment method produces a useful high quality oxide with inherently high capacitance at voltages as high as 750 Volts or more. The anode foil treatment method comprises a series of formation and relaxation steps. Oxide layer formation is performed in a forming mixture that includes a high molecular weight dicarboxylic acid that is made into a salt and a strong base. The concentration of the dicarboxylic acid is carefully monitored and kept within a narrow band. The complex by-product of the dicarboxylic salt created during formation process is kept below a fixed maximum level.

Abstract: A method of non-thickness-limited anodizing for valve metals and alloys which are resistant to the non-thickness-limited growth of anodic oxide, such as niobium and high niobium content alloys. Non-thickness-limited anodic oxide film growth is produced on such valve metals by employing a first glycerine-based electrolyte containing about 1 to about 3 wt % water for the initial production of anodic oxide. After the substrate is anodized using the first electrolyte, it is immersed in a second glycerine-based electrolyte having less than about 0.1 wt % water. The second electrolyte may be produced by allowing water to evaporate from the first electrolyte solution until the solution contains less than about 0.1 wt. % water.