A number of variations may include a product including a substrate comprising a metal comprising an etched region and a first layer comprising a clear coat overlying the etched region wherein the etched region is constructed and arranged to improve filiform corrosion resistance on the substrate.

In one aspect, a method for forging a vehicle wheel with three-dimensional features may include steps of utilizing toe-clamps and center collets to reduce chatter marks and the effects of vibrations and harmonics; employing a parametric CNC program which allows for feed rates and spindle RPM speeds that are specific to the process of the vehicle wheel design; utilizing end-mills, bull-nose end-mills, ball-mills, chamfer tools, V-tools, custom rivet tools, and other commonly used CNC milling tools to machine the sides of the spokes on the wheels; utilizing a coolant to operate the CNC machine; providing a tool to make the three-dimensional features on the wheel; cleaning the wheel to remove coolant and debris remaining on the wheel; and painting selected areas of the wheel.

A vehicle wheel includes a first annular component, a second annular component configured to be separable from the first annular component and mechanically connected to and aligned with the first annular component about an axis of rotation of the wheel, and a plate. In some examples, when the first and second annular components are mechanically connected, the first and second annular components are configured to receive a tire and define a recess along an annular surface of the first and second annular components, the recess being configured to receive the plate. In addition, in some examples, when the plate is received in the recess, the plate inhibits relative rotation between the first annular component and the second annular component about the axis of rotation of the wheel.

A plasma vapor deposited (PVD) coating method. The method includes overlaying a primer polymer layer onto a substrate surface. The method further includes overlaying a chrome metallic layer onto the primer polymer. The method also includes depositing a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer of a thickness of 1 to 5 nanometers onto the chrome metallic layer and having a parameter of color change of the underlying chrome metallic layer. The color change may be determined according to the following equation:
E*.sub.ab={square root over ((L*).sup.2+(a*).sup.2+(b*).sup.2)}
L is the color brightness of the oxide layer, and a and b are the color-component dimensions of the oxide and metallic layers. E*.sub.ab may be less than 2.3. The method further includes overlaying an exposed polymeric layer onto the PVD oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.

The present invention relates to a method for coating light alloy rims, to coating materials for use in this method, and to the coated light alloy rims obtained in this way. A primer layer, a base coat layer, and a clear coat layer are applied to a machined light alloy rim blank. The primer layer includes a radiation-curable coating material having an acid number of 10 to 120 mg KOH/g. The clear coat layer has a double-bond density of free-radically polymerizable reactive groups per unit mass of coating material of at least 1 mol/kg. The coating materials can be cured by radiation.

Disclosed are modular mechanical assemblies formed from durable, corrosion resistant components with sufficient strength to maintain efficient operation. The modular mechanical assemblies include a novel torsion axle assembly having a cartridge that houses a torsion bar with a splined tip. A load bearing, relatively incompressible bushing is optionally disposed about the torsion bar. The cartridge is inserted into an axle tube, and an end cap is placed over the cartridge and torsion bar. The end cap is affixed to the axle tube such that the bushing is secured within a bore in the end cap. The torsion bar tip extends through the bushing and end cap and is secured within a torsion arm. A spindle is also secured within the torsion arm. One or more components of the torsion axle assembly are made from a low alloy, medium carbon steel material that provides corrosion resistance and advantageous yield and ultimate strength properties. One or more components of the assembly can also be coated to improve corrosion resistance. Suitable coating techniques include, but are not limited to liquid ferritic nitrocarburizing, gas nitriding, electroless nickel plating, or a diamond like carbon coating process.

A vehicle wheel cover is provided. The vehicle wheel cover includes a base, and a printed layer formed at a first location of the base. The printed layer is formed from a plurality of layers of images, such that, at least a first layer of the plurality of layers is located at a first depth from other layers of the plurality of layers. The vehicle wheel cover further includes a plurality of brake cooling holes that is formed as a pattern at a second location of the base. The second location is different from the first location. Based on a movement and an illumination of the vehicle wheel cover, the printed layer forms a three-dimensional graphic image.

A bicycle rim comprises a tire-attachment portion, an inner peripheral portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, and a first non-contact printed deposit. The inner peripheral portion is provided radially inwardly from the tire-attachment portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rim. The first side portion includes a first curved surface. The first non-contact printed deposit is at least partly provided on the first curved surface. A first tangential line is defined on the first curved surface in which the first non-contact printed deposit is provided. A first surface angle is defined by the first tangential line and a reference plane perpendicular to the rotational center axis. The first surface angle is larger than 30 degrees.

The present invention relates to a method for producing dirt-repellent coatings on metal surfaces, more particularly on wheel rims, wherein an optionally precoated metal surface has applied to it a coating material composition (K) which comprises a) at least one polyhydroxyl group-containing component (A), b) at least one component (B) having on average at least one isocyanate group and having on average at least one hydrolyzable silane group of the formula (I)

XSiR.sup.3.sub.sG.sub.3-s(I) where G=identical or different hydrolyzable groups, X=organic radical, R.sup.3=alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl, it being possible for the carbon chain to be interrupted by nonadjacent oxygen, sulfur, or NRa groups, with Ra=alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl, s=0 to 2, c) at least one phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing catalyst (D) for the crosslinking of silane groups, and d) at least one catalyst (Z) for the reaction of the hydroxyl groups with the isocyanate groups,
which comprises the catalyst (Z) being selected from the group of zinc and bismuth carboxylates, of aluminum, zirconium, titanium and/or boron chelates, of inorganic, tin-containing catalysts, and of mixtures thereof.

The present invention further provides the coatings obtainable by this method and also the use thereof.

A vehicle wheel includes a first annular component, a second annular component configured to be separable from the first annular component and mechanically connected to and aligned with the first annular component about an axis of rotation of the wheel, and a plate. In some examples, when the first and second annular components are mechanically connected, the first and second annular components are configured to receive a tire and define a recess along an annular surface of the first and second annular components, the recess being configured to receive the plate. In addition, in some examples, when the plate is received in the recess, the plate inhibits relative rotation between the first annular component and the second annular component about the axis of rotation of the wheel.