The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a functional material which is prepared by using aluminum as a base material and has a bactericidal effect; and a method for producing the functional material. The functional material comprises an aluminum base material and a functional film which is a hydrated aluminum oxide film formed on the surface of the aluminum base material. The functional film has nano-order depressions and protrusions formed on the surface thereof and, as a result, the functional film can have a bactericidal effect to kill bacteria. The functional material is produced by subjecting an aluminum base material to a boiling treatment in boiled water for a predetermined treatment time to form, on the surface of the aluminum base material, a hydrated aluminum oxide film having nano-order depressions and protrusions formed on the surface thereof.

A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

A composition for application to a substrate comprising a carrier, a permanganate ion source, and a corrosion inhibitor comprising a rare earth ion, an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, and/or a transition metal ion is disclosed. A substrate or article including the composition for application to a substrate, and a method of treating a substrate comprising applying the composition to a substrate to form a permanganate treated surface of the substrate and applying a lithium containing composition on the permanganate treated surface are also disclosed.

A composition for application to a substrate comprising a carrier, a permanganate ion source, and a corrosion inhibitor comprising a rare earth ion, an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, and/or a transition metal ion is disclosed. A substrate or article including the composition for application to a substrate, and a method of treating a substrate comprising applying the composition to a substrate to form a permanganate treated surface of the substrate and applying a lithium containing composition on the permanganate treated surface are also disclosed.

A printed flexible PH sensor is provided. The printed flexible PH sensor includes a flexible substrate. A working electrode is disposed on the flexible substrate, and the working electrode includes a first silver layer formed on the flexible substrate by an ink-jet printing process, a second silver layer formed on the first silver layer by a silver mirror reaction, and a metal oxide layer disposed on the second silver layer of an end portion of the working electrode. A reference electrode is disposed on the flexible substrate, and the reference electrode includes the first silver layer and the second silver layer formed on the first silver layer, and a silver chloride layer totally covering the second silver layer. A method for fabricating the printed flexible PH sensor is also provided.

Disclosed is a substrate pretreatment system, comprising (a) an activating rinse for treating at least a portion of a substrate comprising a dispersion of metal phosphate particles having a D.sub.90 particle size of no greater than 10 μm, wherein the metal phosphate comprises divalent or trivalent metals or combinations thereof; and (b) a pretreatment composition for treating at least a portion of the substrate treated with the activating rinse, comprising zinc ions and phosphate ions, wherein the pretreatment composition is substantially free of nickel. Methods of treating a substrate with the substrate pretreatment system also are disclosed. Substrates treated with the substrate pretreatment system also are disclosed.

Disclosed is a substrate pretreatment system, comprising (a) an activating rinse for treating at least a portion of a substrate comprising a dispersion of metal phosphate particles having a D.sub.90 particle size of no greater than 10 μm, wherein the metal phosphate comprises divalent or trivalent metals or combinations thereof; and (b) a pretreatment composition for treating at least a portion of the substrate treated with the activating rinse, comprising zinc ions and phosphate ions, wherein the pretreatment composition is substantially free of nickel. Methods of treating a substrate with the substrate pretreatment system also are disclosed. Substrates treated with the substrate pretreatment system also are disclosed.

Provided is a zinc-based plated steel sheet having a post-treated coating filmed thereon including: a steel sheet; a zinc plated layer formed on the steel sheet; and a post-treated coating formed on the plated layer, wherein the atomic ratio (O/M) of oxygen (O) to metals (M) contained in the post-treated coating is greater than 2 and less than 20, and a method for post-treating a zinc-based plated steel sheet. According to this, the zinc-based plated steel sheet having the post-treated coating formed thereon has the effects excellent in lubricity, weldability, adhesiveness, film-removing property and paintability. As the method of post-treating a zinc-based plated steel sheet of the present invention employs a simple coating method irrespective of the kind of plating layer, the process is simple and economical and the process operation cost is low.

Provided is a zinc-based plated steel sheet having a post-treated coating filmed thereon including: a steel sheet; a zinc plated layer formed on the steel sheet; and a post-treated coating formed on the plated layer, wherein the atomic ratio (O/M) of oxygen (O) to metals (M) contained in the post-treated coating is greater than 2 and less than 20, and a method for post-treating a zinc-based plated steel sheet. According to this, the zinc-based plated steel sheet having the post-treated coating formed thereon has the effects excellent in lubricity, weldability, adhesiveness, film-removing property and paintability. As the method of post-treating a zinc-based plated steel sheet of the present invention employs a simple coating method irrespective of the kind of plating layer, the process is simple and economical and the process operation cost is low.