The invention relates to compositions and methods that are useful in etching a metal surface. In particular, the invention relates to novel acid compositions and methods of using such compositions in etching a metal surface, preferably an aluminum surface prior to anodizing to dissolve impurities, imperfections, scale, and oxide. The compositions are effective in maintaining their etching capacity and in removing smut produced by the etching of a surface as well as in general cleaning.

A method for chemical processing an internal cavity of an additive manufactured (AM) metal workpiece is disclosed in which a connector is provided in fluid connection with the internal cavity and a chemical polishing solution is flowed through the connector and the internal cavity to process the internal cavity to a desired finish.

An aluminum-based coating of a flat steel product is applied in a hot-dipping method and comprises a mass percentage of silicon within a given range. The coating for a flat steel product, in particular for press mold hardening components, offers a shortened required minimum oven dwell time and a sufficiently large processing window when heating in an oven. This is achieved in that the surface of the coating has a degree of absorption for thermal radiation ranging between 0.35 and 0.95 prior to an annealing treatment, where the degree of absorption relates to an oven temperature ranging from 880 to 950° C. during the austenitizing annealing treatment. The invention additionally relates to an improved method for producing a flat steel product with an aluminum-based coating, to an inexpensive method for producing press-hardened components from such flat steel products, and to a press-hardened component made of such flat steel products.

An aluminum-based coating of a flat steel product is applied in a hot-dipping method and comprises a mass percentage of silicon within a given range. The coating for a flat steel product, in particular for press mold hardening components, offers a shortened required minimum oven dwell time and a sufficiently large processing window when heating in an oven. This is achieved in that the surface of the coating has a degree of absorption for thermal radiation ranging between 0.35 and 0.95 prior to an annealing treatment, where the degree of absorption relates to an oven temperature ranging from 880 to 950° C. during the austenitizing annealing treatment. The invention additionally relates to an improved method for producing a flat steel product with an aluminum-based coating, to an inexpensive method for producing press-hardened components from such flat steel products, and to a press-hardened component made of such flat steel products.

An aluminum-based coating of a flat steel product is applied in a hot-dipping method and comprises a mass percentage of silicon within a given range. The coating for a flat steel product, in particular for press mold hardening components, offers a shortened required minimum oven dwell time and a sufficiently large processing window when heating in an oven. This is achieved in that the surface of the coating has a degree of absorption for thermal radiation ranging between 0.35 and 0.95 prior to an annealing treatment, where the degree of absorption relates to an oven temperature ranging from 880 to 950° C. during the austenitizing annealing treatment. The invention additionally relates to an improved method for producing a flat steel product with an aluminum-based coating, to an inexpensive method for producing press-hardened components from such flat steel products, and to a press-hardened component made of such flat steel products.

Techniques for modifying surfaces of electrodes are provided. An electrode surface can be processed by applying an abrasive material or chemical solution to or against the surface to modify the surface to reduce the amount of roughness on, and/or alter the shape of, the surface. The shape of the surface can be altered by rounding or doming the surface. During surface processing, flexible or compressible support material can be applied to the back of an abrasive material, such as sandpaper, to desirably distribute pressure from the support material to the sandpaper and/or mold the shape of the sandpaper to facilitate maintaining desirable contact by the sandpaper on electrode surfaces. With regard to a flexible circuit board on which electrodes are formed, a vacuum chuck component or a temporary abrasive can be used to hold the circuit board in a flat and stationary position during surface processing.

A fluid composition suitable for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate can in include a multi-valent metal borate, at least one oxidizer, and a solvent. The fluid composition can be essentially free of abrasive particles and may achieve a high material removal rate and excellent surface finish.

An aluminum alloy is described and has compositions with mass percentage content consisting of: 5.0%-5.4% Zn; 0.9%-1.2% Mg; Cu<0.05%; Si<0.05%; Fe<0.1%; Mn<0.05%; Zr<0.1%; Ti<0.05%; other impurities <0.15%; and the remaining composition being Al. An anodizing method of the aluminum alloy described above is described and has: a degreasing treatment, a first black-film stripping treatment, a chemical polishing treatment, a second black-film stripping treatment, an anodizing treatment, a hole filling treatment and a drying treatment which are performed in turn. The aluminum alloy has a higher strength while eliminating an influence of a formed compound phase on a material texture.

An aluminum alloy is described and has compositions with mass percentage content consisting of: 5.0%-5.4% Zn; 0.9%-1.2% Mg; Cu<0.05%; Si<0.05%; Fe<0.1%; Mn<0.05%; Zr<0.1%; Ti<0.05%; other impurities <0.15%; and the remaining composition being Al. An anodizing method of the aluminum alloy described above is described and has: a degreasing treatment, a first black-film stripping treatment, a chemical polishing treatment, a second black-film stripping treatment, an anodizing treatment, a hole filling treatment and a drying treatment which are performed in turn. The aluminum alloy has a higher strength while eliminating an influence of a formed compound phase on a material texture.

Techniques for modifying surfaces of electrodes are provided. An electrode surface can be processed by applying an abrasive material or chemical solution to or against the surface to modify the surface to reduce the amount of roughness on, and/or alter the shape of, the surface. The shape of the surface can be altered by rounding or doming the surface. During surface processing, flexible or compressible support material can be applied to the back of an abrasive material, such as sandpaper, to desirably distribute pressure from the support material to the sandpaper and/or mold the shape of the sandpaper to facilitate maintaining desirable contact by the sandpaper on electrode surfaces. With regard to a flexible circuit board on which electrodes are formed, a vacuum chuck component or a temporary abrasive can be used to hold the circuit board in a flat and stationary position during surface processing.