Devices, systems and techniques are described for producing and implementing articles and materials having nanoscale and microscale structures that exhibit superhydrophobic, superoleophobic or omniphobic surface properties and other enhanced properties. In one aspect, a surface nanostructure can be formed by adding a silicon-containing buffer layer such as silicon, silicon oxide or silicon nitride layer, followed by metal film deposition and heating to convert the metal film into balled-up, discrete islands to form an etch mask. The buffer layer can be etched using the etch mask to create an array of pillar structures underneath the etch mask, in which the pillar structures have a shape that includes cylinders, negatively tapered rods, or cones and are vertically aligned. In another aspect, a method of fabricating microscale or nanoscale polymer or metal structures on a substrate is made by photolithography and/or nano imprinting lithography.

Provided are a plated steel sheet for hot stamping including: a plated steel sheet body including a steel sheet and an aluminum plating layer provided on one side or both sides of the steel sheet; and a zinc-based metal soap film provided on a surface of the plated steel sheet body on a side of the aluminum plating layer and having an adhesion amount of from 7.1 to 19.8 g/m.sup.2 based on a Zn amount (when, in the plated steel sheet body, a zinc oxide film is on the surface of an aluminum plating layer, the total adhesion amount of the zinc oxide film and the zinc-based metal soap film is from 7.1 to 19.8 g/m.sup.2 based on a Zn amount.), and a method of manufacturing such a sheet. Also provided are a method of manufacturing a hot-stamped component using the plated steel sheet for hot stamping, and a method of manufacturing a vehicle using a stamped component manufactured by a method of manufacturing a hot-stamped component.

Provided are a plated steel sheet for hot stamping including: a plated steel sheet body including a steel sheet and an aluminum plating layer provided on one side or both sides of the steel sheet; and a zinc-based metal soap film provided on a surface of the plated steel sheet body on a side of the aluminum plating layer and having an adhesion amount of from 7.1 to 19.8 g/m.sup.2 based on a Zn amount (when, in the plated steel sheet body, a zinc oxide film is on the surface of an aluminum plating layer, the total adhesion amount of the zinc oxide film and the zinc-based metal soap film is from 7.1 to 19.8 g/m.sup.2 based on a Zn amount.), and a method of manufacturing such a sheet. Also provided are a method of manufacturing a hot-stamped component using the plated steel sheet for hot stamping, and a method of manufacturing a vehicle using a stamped component manufactured by a method of manufacturing a hot-stamped component.

A process for providing a surface of aluminum containing materials with a chromate-free protective coating includes degreasing a surface of an aluminum containing material to produce a degreased surface, treating the degreased surface in a high alkaline treatment immediately subsequent to the degreasing to produce an alkaline treated surface having smut on the surface, and treating the alkaline treated smut surface with a hydrothermal treatment immediately subsequent to the high alkaline treatment.

A process for providing a surface of aluminum containing materials with a chromate-free protective coating includes degreasing a surface of an aluminum containing material to produce a degreased surface, treating the degreased surface in a high alkaline treatment immediately subsequent to the degreasing to produce an alkaline treated surface having smut on the surface, and treating the alkaline treated smut surface with a hydrothermal treatment immediately subsequent to the high alkaline treatment.

The invention relates generally to liquid-repellent coatings, and in particular, to porous liquid-repellent coatings, a method of preparing the porous liquid-repellent coatings, and a method of characterizing a porous surface for the liquid-repellent coatings. The invention further relates to a porous liquid-repellent coating comprising a porous layer of a transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide and a layer of a liquid-repellent compound deposited onto the porous layer of the transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide, wherein the porous layer of the transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide is comprised of a plurality of surface pores of varying angles with an average angle that is re-entrant.

Described herein is a continuous coil pretreatment process used to treat the surface of an aluminum alloy sheet or coil for subsequent deposition of an acidic organophosphorus compound. The process can include applying a cleaner to a surface of an aluminum sheet or a coil; etching the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with an acidic solution; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; applying to the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil a solution of an acidic organophosphorus compound; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; and drying the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil.

Described herein is a continuous coil pretreatment process used to treat the surface of an aluminum alloy sheet or coil for subsequent deposition of an acidic organophosphorus compound. The process can include applying a cleaner to a surface of an aluminum sheet or a coil; etching the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with an acidic solution; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; applying to the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil a solution of an acidic organophosphorus compound; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; and drying the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil.

A chemical surface treatment method of a metal improves bonding of different materials in which first pores are formed in the surface of the metal and second pores are formed locally in the surfaces of the first pores by appropriately setting the number of repetitions of alkali treatment and acid treatment, the concentrations of treatment solutions, and treatment temperatures and times using the treatment solutions. The method includes performing the alkali treatment by immersing the metal in a base solution, so as to form first pores in a surface of the metal. The method further includes performing the acid treatment by immersing an alkali-treated result product in an acid solution, so as to form second pores locally in surfaces of the first pores.

This disclosure relates to hydrophobic metal phosphate ceramic comprising a Group IV element of silicon, germanium, tin, or lead having at least one hydrocarbon covalently bonded thereto. Methods of providing water proofing and/or anti-corrosion protection are provided.