A method of activating a metal surface, such as a galvanized steel sheet, before a phosphating process, may involve bringing the metal surface into contact with an activating bath containing activating particles, which may be based on phosphate and/or titanium, dispersed in water. To alleviate or even eliminate the problems of poor adhesion of surface coatings to preferably electrolytically galvanized, phosphated metal strip, an additive that suppresses or at least slows agglomeration of the activating particles may be added to the activating bath. In some examples, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or sodium stearate may be added. Further, the particle size distribution of the activating particles present in the activating bath may be determined and the activating bath may be replaced or taken out of operation as a function of the particle size distribution of the activating particles.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of surface treatment for metal materials, and particularly relates to an environment-friendly water-based treatment agent for improving the phosphatability of high-strength steel. The water-based treatment agent is prepared by dissolving or dispersing a composition in an aqueous medium. The water-based treatment agent specifically consists of: A. a fluoride ion-containing compound; B. a compound selected from metal ion compounds containing Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni or Fe; C. a compound selected from organic acids; and D. a compound selected from surfactant. The water-based treatment agent can be diluted in water at a ratio of 1:0-20 for subsequent use. The treatment agent can enable the surface of a high-strength steel plate to have excellent phosphatability and is mainly applied to high-strength steel surface modification treatment.

Described herein are 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrates having a pretreatment fdm on a surface of the substrate. A beverage tab may comprise a pretreated 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate. A method of making a 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate as described herein includes producing a pretreatment film on a surface of a 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate to provide a pretreated 5 xxx series aluminum alloy substrate and controlling a coat weight of the pretreatment film to no greater than 10 mg/ft.sup.2.

Described herein are 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrates having a pretreatment fdm on a surface of the substrate. A beverage tab may comprise a pretreated 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate. A method of making a 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate as described herein includes producing a pretreatment film on a surface of a 5xxx series aluminum alloy substrate to provide a pretreated 5 xxx series aluminum alloy substrate and controlling a coat weight of the pretreatment film to no greater than 10 mg/ft.sup.2.