The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.

An aluminum member exhibits improved alkali resistance with respect to an anodic oxide coating. The highly alkali-resistant aluminum member includes a material that includes aluminum or an aluminum alloy, an anodic oxide coating that is formed on the surface of the material, and a coating layer that is formed on the anodic oxide coating, and includes a siloxane glass component in a ratio of 90 mass % or more, wherein the coating layer has a thickness of 0.5 to 5.0 μm and a coating mass of 0.4 to 5.0 g/m.sup.2.

The present invention provides a pellicle frame which can effectively inhibit deformation of an exposure master plate (8) caused by affixing the pellicle (1), and which does not have a complex shape, and a pellicle which uses said pellicle frame are provided. The pellicle frame with an anodized film on a surface of an aluminum alloy frame is characterized in that: the aluminum alloy frame comprises an aluminum alloy which contains Ca: 5.0 to 10.0% by weight with the remainder aluminum and unavoidable impurities are contained, and has an area (volume) ratio of an Al.sub.4Ca phase, which is a dispersed phase, is greater than or equal to 25%, and a crystal structure of a part of the Al.sub.4Ca phase is monoclinic; wherein the anodized film contains Al.sub.4Ca particles.

Provided are: a support frame for pellicle that has both low dust generation property and high light resistance, and further has an ion elution amount which is reduced to the utmost limit to an extent that haze is not generated even when a short wavelength laser is used for exposure light source, a pellicle using the support frame for pellicle, and a method for efficiently manufacturing the support frame for pellicle, support frame for pellicle which comprises a frame member comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy and an inorganic coating layer formed on the surface of the frame member, wherein the main chain of the inorganic coating layer is constituted by a SiOSiO bond. An anodized film is preferably formed between the frame member and the inorganic coating layer.

Provided are: a support frame for pellicle that has both low dust generation property and high light resistance, and further has an ion elution amount which is reduced to the utmost limit to an extent that haze is not generated even when a short wavelength laser is used for exposure light source, a pellicle using the support frame for pellicle, and a method for efficiently manufacturing the support frame for pellicle, support frame for pellicle which comprises a frame member comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy and an inorganic coating layer formed on the surface of the frame member, wherein the main chain of the inorganic coating layer is constituted by a SiOSiO bond. An anodized film is preferably formed between the frame member and the inorganic coating layer.

A method of providing a workpiece with an anodised aluminium surface with varying colour. The anodised surface is added colour, such as evenly, so that a colour concentration profile exists through the depth, where after a portion of the outer layer is removed to arrive at colour corresponding to a particular depth.

A method of providing a workpiece with an anodised aluminium surface with varying colour. The anodised surface is added colour, such as evenly, so that a colour concentration profile exists through the depth, where after a portion of the outer layer is removed to arrive at colour corresponding to a particular depth.

Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

Anodic films that have a white color, and methods for forming the same, are described. According to some embodiments, the anodic films have multiple metal oxide layers. A first layer can provide scratch and chemical resistance and a second layer can provide a light diffusing pore structure that diffusely reflects incoming light and provides a white appearance to the anodic film. According to some embodiments, the anodic films also include a smoothed barrier layer that specularly reflects incoming light so as to brighten the appearance and enhance the white color of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque white appearance not achievable using conventional techniques. The anodic films are well suited for providing cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.