A gas exchange valve for an internal combustion engine may include a valve stem and a wear resistance improving functional layer. The valve stem may extend in an axial direction and may transition into a valve plate in the axial direction. The functional layer may include nickel and tungsten. The functional layer may be arranged in a coating area on an outer circumference of the valve stem and may at least partially define a sliding surface.

Disclosed is a method for activating a surface of metals, such as self-passivated metals, and of metal-oxide dissolution, effected using a fluoroanion-containing composition. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell utilizing an aluminum-containing anode material and a fluoroanion-containing electrolyte, characterized by high efficiency, low corrosion, and optionally mechanical or electrochemical rechargeability. Also disclosed is a process for fusing (welding, soldering etc.) a self-passivated metal at relatively low temperature and ambient atmosphere, and a method for electrodepositing a metal on a self-passivated metal using metal-oxide source.

A titanium sub-oxide/ruthenium oxide composite electrode and a preparation method and application thereof. Titanium-based titanium sub-oxide nanotubes is taken as a bottom layer, and titanium sub-oxide doped ruthenium oxide is taken as a surface composite active layer. A titanium substrate is anodized in a fluorine-containing ionic electrolyte, taken out, subjected to heating and roasting, cooled and then subjected to cathodic electrochemical reduction in polarizing liquid, so that a titanium-based titanium sub-oxide nanotube electrode is obtained; and then the titanium-based titanium sub-oxide nanotube electrode is taken as a cathode to be electrodeposited in a ruthenium trichloride electrolyte doped with titanium sub-oxide powder, taken out and then subjected to heating and roasting, so that the titanium sub-oxide/ruthenium oxide composite electrode is obtained.

A surface treatment process for a metal article provides a uniform and unblemished surface finish to the metal article. The surface treatment process anodizes the metal article to form an anodic oxide layer on a surface, and the metal article is activated using a pre-dyeing solution. The pre-dyeing solution contains complex organic acid and sodium acetate. The anodic oxide layer of the metal article is dyed for color and the dyed anodic oxide layer of the metal article is finally sealed.

Disclosed is a method for activating a surface of metals, such as self-passivated metals, and of metal-oxide dissolution, effected using a fluoroanion-containing composition. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell utilizing an aluminum-containing anode material and a fluoroanion-containing electrolyte, characterized by high efficiency, low corrosion, and optionally mechanical or electrochemical rechargeability. Also disclosed is a process for fusing (welding, soldering etc.) a self-passivated metal at relatively low temperature and ambient atmosphere, and a method for electrodepositing a metal on a self-passivated metal using metal-oxide source.

The subject disclosure relates to electroplating niobium titanium (Nb/Ti) with a metal capable of being soldered to. According to an embodiment, a structure is provided that comprises a Nb/Ti substrate and a metal layer plated on a portion of the Nb/Ti substrate. The metal layer comprises an electroplated metal layer plated on the portion of the Nb/Ti substrate using electroplating. The metal layer can comprise a metal capable of being soldered to, such as copper. In another embodiment, a cable assembly is provided that comprises a niobium titanium wire, a metal layer plated on a first portion of the niobium titanium wire, and a metal coaxial connector soldered to the metal layer.

A method for depositing a tin-bismuth alloy on a substrate, the method including steps of (1) immersing the substrate and an anode in an electrolyte solution that includes water, a stannous salt, a bismuth salt, and at least one of sulfuric acid and sulfamic acid, the anode including tin and, optionally, bismuth, and (2) passing an electric current between the substrate and the anode to form a deposit on the substrate.

A method for depositing a tin-bismuth alloy on a substrate, the method including steps of (1) immersing the substrate and an anode in an electrolyte solution that includes water, a stannous salt, a bismuth salt, and at least one of sulfuric acid and sulfamic acid, the anode including tin and, optionally, bismuth, and (2) passing an electric current between the substrate and the anode to form a deposit on the substrate.

A method for pretreating a substrate prior to depositing a material thereon, the method including immersing the substrate in an activation solution for a predetermined period of time, the activation solution including an ammonium salt that includes a fluorine-containing anion, sulfuric acid and water.

A method for pretreating a substrate prior to depositing a material thereon, the method including immersing the substrate in an activation solution for a predetermined period of time, the activation solution including a fluoride salt, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid and water.