In an electrodeposition system, the final quality of a coating is prevented from being degraded due to a coating material-containing aqueous solution flowing out of a steel plate mating portion during a drying process, while derivative problems such as an increase in the size of the system, an increase in the initial costs and the running costs, and a decrease in reliability are avoided. A washing zone that is subsequent to an electrodeposition zone in which an object to be coated is immersed in a coating material solution for electrodeposition so that a coating is formed on a surface of the object to be coated is provided with: a hot water washing tank in which the coated object is washed by being immersed in high-temperature washing water in the tank; and a spray washer that sprays a steel plate mating portion of the coated-object with high-temperature washing water, subsequent to washing in the hot water washing tank.

In an electrodeposition system, the final quality of a coating is prevented from being degraded due to a coating material-containing aqueous solution flowing out of a steel plate mating portion during a drying process, while derivative problems such as an increase in the size of the system, an increase in the initial costs and the running costs, and a decrease in reliability are avoided. A washing zone that is subsequent to an electrodeposition zone in which an object to be coated is immersed in a coating material solution for electrodeposition so that a coating is formed on a surface of the object to be coated is provided with: a hot water washing tank in which the coated object is washed by being immersed in high-temperature washing water in the tank; and a spray washer that sprays a steel plate mating portion of the coated-object with high-temperature washing water, subsequent to washing in the hot water washing tank.

Aqueous electrolyte for deposition of a ruthenium alloy layer on metal surfaces, in particular base metal surfaces, its use and a corresponding electrolytic process, and a correspondingly produced layer sequence.

Aqueous electrolyte for deposition of a ruthenium alloy layer on metal surfaces, in particular base metal surfaces, its use and a corresponding electrolytic process, and a correspondingly produced layer sequence.

A plating apparatus includes a processing bath configured to store a processing liquid therein, a transporter configured to immerse a substrate holder, holding a substrate, in the processing liquid, raise the substrate holder out of the processing bath, and transport the substrate holder in a horizontal direction, and a gas flow generator configured to generate a clean gas flow forward of the substrate with respect to a direction in which the substrate holder is transported. The transporter moves the gas flow generator together with the substrate holder in the horizontal direction while transporting the substrate holder in the horizontal direction.

A plating apparatus includes a processing bath configured to store a processing liquid therein, a transporter configured to immerse a substrate holder, holding a substrate, in the processing liquid, raise the substrate holder out of the processing bath, and transport the substrate holder in a horizontal direction, and a gas flow generator configured to generate a clean gas flow forward of the substrate with respect to a direction in which the substrate holder is transported. The transporter moves the gas flow generator together with the substrate holder in the horizontal direction while transporting the substrate holder in the horizontal direction.

A surface treating apparatus that suppresses occurrence of defects is provided. A treatment solution is accumulated in a tank 15 through a treatment solution collecting port/air discharging port 13 in a lower portion of a body 4. An air heated by the treatment solution flows toward an upper portion (portion without the treatment solution) of the tank 15 via the treatment solution collecting port/air discharging port 13 in the lower portion of the body 4, and is discharged via an exhaust duct 17. In this way, the air that is heated and tends to flow upward in the body 4 is discharged from the lower portion thereof and is replaced with an external air from the upper portion thereof. Accordingly, the air in the body 4 can be maintained at a uniform temperature. Thus, the treatment solution that reaches a lower portion of a substrate 54 from an upper portion thereof can be maintained at a uniform temperature. The air is caused to flow toward the lower portion from the upper portion in the body 4, so that the substrate 54 is pulled downward, and swinging of the substrate 54 can thus be reduced. Therefore, the substrate 54 can be less likely to contact an inlet 44 and an outlet 46.

A surface treating apparatus that suppresses occurrence of defects is provided. A treatment solution is accumulated in a tank 15 through a treatment solution collecting port/air discharging port 13 in a lower portion of a body 4. An air heated by the treatment solution flows toward an upper portion (portion without the treatment solution) of the tank 15 via the treatment solution collecting port/air discharging port 13 in the lower portion of the body 4, and is discharged via an exhaust duct 17. In this way, the air that is heated and tends to flow upward in the body 4 is discharged from the lower portion thereof and is replaced with an external air from the upper portion thereof. Accordingly, the air in the body 4 can be maintained at a uniform temperature. Thus, the treatment solution that reaches a lower portion of a substrate 54 from an upper portion thereof can be maintained at a uniform temperature. The air is caused to flow toward the lower portion from the upper portion in the body 4, so that the substrate 54 is pulled downward, and swinging of the substrate 54 can thus be reduced. Therefore, the substrate 54 can be less likely to contact an inlet 44 and an outlet 46.

The present invention provides a zinc coating-forming method for drawing of metallic pipes, including a degreasing step of degreasing a material to be drawn, which is composed of any one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, and a copper alloy; a first oxidation step of forming an oxide coating on a surface of the material to be drawn, which has been degreased in the degreasing step; and a second oxidation step of forming a zinc coating on the material to be drawn, which has been coated with an oxide.

Durable seamless replication tools are disclosed for replication of seamless relief patterns in desired media, for example in optical recording or data storage media. Methods of making such durable replication tools are disclosed, including preparing a recording substrate on the inner surface of a support cylinder, recording and developing a relief pattern in the substrate, creating a durable negative relief replica of the pattern, extracting the resulting durable tool sleeve from a processing cell, and mounting the tool sleeve on a mounting fixture. Apparatus are disclosed for fabricating such seamless replication tools, including systems for recording a desired relief pattern on a photosensitive layer on an inner surface of a support cylinder. Also disclosed are electrodeposition cells for forming a durable tool sleeve having a desired relief pattern. The replication tool relief features may have critical dimensions down to the micron and nanometer regime.