An embodiment of the invention describes a method of treating an article to improve its corrosion resistance. The method includes the step of nitriding the article in a cyanide-free nitriding bath to obtain a nitrided article, heating the nitrided article in an atmosphere having nitrogen and carbon-carburizing to obtain a nitrided oxidised article. Further, in certain embodiments, the oxidised nitrided article may be coated with a metallic layer. The oxidised nitrided article with the metallic coating has improved corrosion resistance.

A rolling-contact shaft member, which is made of high-carbon steel and whose outer peripheral surface serves as a rolling-contact surface that rolling-contacts a mating material, includes: a carbonitrided layer having a carbon concentration of 1.1 to 1.6 wt % and a nitrogen concentration of 0.05 to 0.6 wt % in the range from the surface to the depth of 10 μm. The rolling-contact shaft member has a Vickers hardness of 700 to 840 HV at the outer peripheral surface and has a Vickers hardness of 600 HV or less in its central portion. A maximum value of an absolute value of a gradient of a change in the Vickers hardness from the outer peripheral surface to the central portion is 100 to 340 HV/mm.

The present invention provides a cast product that can further enhance the stability of an alumina barrier layer and can exhibit further superior oxidation resistance, carburization resistance, nitriding resistance, corrosion resistance, and the like when used under a high-temperature atmosphere. The cast product according to the present invention is a cast product having an alumina barrier layer including an aluminum oxide on a surface of a matrix, and the aluminum oxide is (Al.sub.(1-x)M.sub.(x)).sub.2O.sub.3, where M is at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe, and x satisfies a relationship 0<x<0.5. Furthermore, the cast product according to the present invention is a cast product having an alumina barrier layer including an aluminum oxide on a surface of a matrix, and at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe forms a solid solution in the aluminum oxide, and at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe forming the solid solution with Al is contained so as to satisfy a relationship Al/(Cr+Ni+Si+Fe)≧2.0 in an atomic % ratio.

A metal workpiece, such as a wheel, and a method of providing an enhanced corrosion resistant surface coating on an exposed surface of a metal or alloy substrate (such as magnesium). A corrosion resistance basecoat is formed, including generating an oxide layer, and applying a first primer coating onto at least a portion of the oxide layer. The method may further include identifying highest corrosion prone areas on the substrate and designing a support rack that avoids contact with these corrosion prone areas. The method also includes forming a topcoat over at least a portion of the basecoat, by applying a second primer coating onto at least a portion of the first primer coating and depositing a sputtered metallic film onto the second primer coating using a physical vapor deposition technique. A clear coat layer may be applied over the metallic film.

A metal workpiece, such as a wheel, and a method of providing an enhanced corrosion resistant surface coating on an exposed surface of a metal or alloy substrate (such as magnesium). A corrosion resistance basecoat is formed, including generating an oxide layer, and applying a first primer coating onto at least a portion of the oxide layer. The method may further include identifying highest corrosion prone areas on the substrate and designing a support rack that avoids contact with these corrosion prone areas. The method also includes forming a topcoat over at least a portion of the basecoat, by applying a second primer coating onto at least a portion of the first primer coating and depositing a sputtered metallic film onto the second primer coating using a physical vapor deposition technique. A clear coat layer may be applied over the metallic film.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise an ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator. The ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator can comprise Li-ion conducting ceramic material. The ceramic composite separator has a columnar grained microstructure. The ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator can comprise a single or bi-layer combination of LiPON, LATP, garnets, lithium sulfides, or Li.sub.1+2xZr.sub.2−zCa(PO.sub.4).sub.3.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise an ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator. The ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator can comprise Li-ion conducting ceramic material. The ceramic composite separator has a columnar grained microstructure. The ultra-thin polymer ceramic composite separator can comprise a single or bi-layer combination of LiPON, LATP, garnets, lithium sulfides, or Li.sub.1+2xZr.sub.2−zCa(PO.sub.4).sub.3.

An FeNi ordered alloy contained in a magnetic material has an L1.sub.0 ordered structure, is doped with an light element, and is provided as a granular particle. A method for manufacturing a magnetic material including an FeNi ordered alloy having an L1.sub.0 ordered structure includes preparing an FeNi ordered alloy provided as a granular particle, and doping a light element into the FeNi ordered alloy.

A method for heat treating a steel component. The steel component is disposed in a heat treating furnace. The steel component is then exposed to a nitriding atmosphere at a predetermined nitriding temperature for a predetermined nitriding time interval. The nitriding atmosphere has a predetermined composition. The composition of the nitriding atmosphere is controlled while the steel component is exposed thereto. The steel component is slowly cooled to ambient temperature and then removed from the heat treating furnace. The heat treated steel component has substantially increased corrosion and wear resistance compared to the steel component prior the heat treating.

A method for heat treating a steel component. The steel component is disposed in a heat treating furnace. The steel component is then exposed to a nitriding atmosphere at a predetermined nitriding temperature for a predetermined nitriding time interval. The nitriding atmosphere has a predetermined composition. The composition of the nitriding atmosphere is controlled while the steel component is exposed thereto. The steel component is slowly cooled to ambient temperature and then removed from the heat treating furnace. The heat treated steel component has substantially increased corrosion and wear resistance compared to the steel component prior the heat treating.