MICROCRYSTALLINE ANODIC COATINGS AND RELATED METHODS THEREFOR
First Claim
1. A method of coating an anodized aluminum substrate comprising:
- immersing the anodized aluminum substrate in a first aqueous metal salt solution comprising at least one metal cationic species for a first predetermined length of time to form a partially impregnated aluminum substrate;
immersing the partially impregnated aluminum substrate in an alkaline solution for a second predetermined length of time to form a fully impregnated aluminum substrate; and
immersing the fully impregnated aluminum substrate in a second aqueous metal salt solution comprising at least one metal acetate and having a pH in a range of from about 5 units to about 6 units for a third predetermined length of time to form a coated anodized aluminum substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of preparing metal and metal alloys with partially microcrystalline anodic coatings are disclosed. Associated article therefrom are correspondingly disclosed. The partially microcrystalline anodic coatings exhibit fade and pattern removal resistance when subjected to sterilization processes. Partially microcrystalline anodic coating can be prepared by impregnation of micropores of a metal or metal substrate with metal precursor species, conversion of the metal precursor species into metal hydroxides, and one or more additional treatments to promote phase transformation of the metal hydroxide product into metal oxides solids and bonding with metastable metal oxide substance in the pore structure of the metal or metal alloy substrate.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of coating an anodized aluminum substrate comprising:
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immersing the anodized aluminum substrate in a first aqueous metal salt solution comprising at least one metal cationic species for a first predetermined length of time to form a partially impregnated aluminum substrate; immersing the partially impregnated aluminum substrate in an alkaline solution for a second predetermined length of time to form a fully impregnated aluminum substrate; and immersing the fully impregnated aluminum substrate in a second aqueous metal salt solution comprising at least one metal acetate and having a pH in a range of from about 5 units to about 6 units for a third predetermined length of time to form a coated anodized aluminum substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An aluminum article comprising an anodized coating with a thickness of at least about 0.01 mm, wherein the anodized coating is dyed and has a fading of less than Δ
- L* of about 1.5, Δ
a* of about 2.0, and Δ
b* of about 2.5 values in accordance with a CIE (Commission Internationale d′
Eclairage) 1976 L*, a*, b* color scale as performed in accordance with ASTM E 308, after exposure, for at least one cycle of a sterilization process. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
- L* of about 1.5, Δ
Specification