Provided is an Al-plated hot stamped steel material comprising a steel base material, an Al-plating layer formed on at least one surface of the steel base material, and a chemical conversion coating formed on the Al-plating layer and containing zinc phosphate-based crystals and Ce-based compounds deposited on the surfaces of the zinc phosphate-based crystals, wherein an amount of deposition of the zinc phosphate-based crystals in the chemical conversion coating is, converted to metal Zn, 0.3 to 4.0 g/m.sup.2 and an area ratio of the Ce-based compounds in the chemical conversion coating is 0.5 to 25%.

A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

A novel method of blackening surgical needles is disclosed. Surgical needles having outer surfaces are first placed into a first pretreatment bath having a novel composition. The needles are then placed into a second blackening bath having a novel composition for a sufficient period of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needles. The novel methods for blackening the surfaces of a stainless steel alloy surgical needle provide a chromium (VI)-free alternative to current needle manufacturing processes. Another unique feature of this novel method is its short processing time. The blackening processes of the present invention can be utilized for in-line treatment processes which can be easily incorporated into high speed needle manufacturing processes, such as strip mounted processes. In addition, the processes of the present invention are readily adaptable to batch processes. Also disclosed are novel systems for blackening surgical needles and novel blackening baths for surgical needles.

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a stainless steel component, the method including texturizing a stainless steel substrate by bead blasting to provide a texturized stainless steel. The stainless steel substrate includes grade 316 austenitic stainless steel. The method also includes treating the texturized stainless steel with a passivation solution to provide a passivated stainless steel. The method further includes treating the passivated stainless steel with an oxidizing solution including sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide at a temperature of about 130 to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 50 minutes to provide an antimicrobial stainless steel surface that is free of a separate coating. The method includes obtaining at least 99.9% E. coli reduction as measured by JIS Z 2801:2010 test on the antimicrobial stainless steel without a separate coating.

A method for forming a modified surface comprising (1) on a substrate is provided wherein a reactive groups on the surface is condensed with alcohols, thiols, silanes or phosphonic acid in the presence of microwave energy.

A method for forming a modified surface comprising (1) on a substrate is provided wherein a reactive groups on the surface is condensed with alcohols, thiols, silanes or phosphonic acid in the presence of microwave energy.

The present invention relates to a solution that is free of chromium in all its oxidising states, comprising: - at least one chemical oxidising compound, - at least one aluminium complexing agent, - at least one corrosion inhibiting compound, and -optionally, a chemical sealant compound, the solution having a pH in the range from 1 to 5. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a metal surface, comprising the application, on the surface, of a solution as defined above. The present invention additionally relates to a coating of a metal surface that can be obtained by the method for treating a metal surface as defined above, to a metal surface comprising the coating and to the use of the solution in an anti-corrosion treatment of a metal surface.

A composition for a phosphate film of a Zn electric-plated steel sheet may comprise zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn), wherein a content of Mn is 6 to 8 wt %.

A composition for a phosphate film of a Zn electric-plated steel sheet may comprise zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn), wherein a content of Mn is 6 to 8 wt %.

A printed flexible PH sensor is provided. The printed flexible PH sensor includes a flexible substrate. A working electrode is disposed on the flexible substrate, and the working electrode includes a first silver layer formed on the flexible substrate by an ink-jet printing process, a second silver layer formed on the first silver layer by a silver mirror reaction, and a metal oxide layer disposed on the second silver layer of an end portion of the working electrode. A reference electrode is disposed on the flexible substrate, and the reference electrode includes the first silver layer and the second silver layer formed on the first silver layer, and a silver chloride layer totally covering the second silver layer. A method for fabricating the printed flexible PH sensor is also provided.