US3899400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface treatment of aluminum and its alloys
Assignee: Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhlmann
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Filing: 1974-07-09
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-07-09
Abstract
Abstract The surface of a piece of aluminum or aluminum alloy is decorated with a novel ''''lizardskin'''' appearance by passing an alternating electrolytic current at 5 to 50 volts between said piece used as an electrode, and a second electrode, both electrodes being submerged in an aqueous electrolyte bath containing 0.1 to 20 grams/liter of a suitable acid and 0.1 to 20 grams/liter of a polyfluorinated sulfonate surfactant.
Inventors
- 👤 Jos Patrie
- 👤 Jacques Lefebvre
- 👤 Francois Allegret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:24
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25F; C25F3/00; C25F3/02; C25F3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A METHOD OF DECORATING THE SURFACE OF A PIECE OF ALUMINUM OR ALUMINUM ALLOY WITH A "LIZARDSKIN" APPEARANCE, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES PLACING SAID PIECE AS ONE ELECTRODE TOGETHER WITH A SECOND ELECTRODE IN AN AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTIC BATH AT ABOUT 5*-60*C AND CONTAINING FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO 20 GRAMS/LITER OF HYDROCHLORIDE ACID, NITRIC ACID, BORIC ACID OR FLUOROBORIC ACID AND FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO 20 GRAMS/LITER OF A POLYFLUORINATED SULFONATE SULFACTANT, AND PASSING AN ALTERNATING ELECTROLYTIC
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A METHOD OF DECORATING THE SURFACE OF A PIECE OF ALUMINUM OR ALUMINUM ALLOY WITH A "LIZARDSKIN" APPEARANCE, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES PLACING SAID PIECE AS ONE ELECTRODE TOGETHER WITH A SECOND ELECTRODE IN AN AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTIC BATH AT ABOUT 5*-60*C AND CONTAINING FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO 20 GRAMS/LITER OF HYDROCHLORIDE ACID, NITRIC ACID, BORIC ACID OR FLUOROBORIC ACID AND FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO 20 GRAMS/LITER OF A POLYFLUORINATED SULFONATE SULFACTANT, AND PASSING AN ALTERNATING ELECTROLYTIC
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polyfluorinated sulfonate surfactant is CnF2n 1(CH2)bSO3Q, wherein n is 4 to 14, b is 2 or 4, and Q is H or any cation forming a water-soluble salt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant is 2-(tridecafluoro-n-hexyl)-ethyl sulfonic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second electrode is an inert material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second electrode also is a piece of aluminum or aluminum alloy, whereby the opposite surfaces of both electrodes are decorated with the lizardskin appearance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lizardskin surface is subsequently protected by anodization or the application of a clear varnish.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lizardskin surface is subsequently colored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A piece of aluminum or aluminum alloy whose surface is decorated by the method of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |