Royal Canadian Mint

Hieu Cong Truong

Xianyao Li

Taixiang Jiang

Maria Dilay

A method of treating aluminum or aluminum alloy includes providing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate; depositing a first zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion; stripping off the first zincating layer; depositing a second zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion; stripping off the second zincating layer; and depositing a third zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion.

Zincating aluminum

A method of printing on a metal surface includes steps of forming a plurality of macropores on at least a portion of a metal surface. A plurality of micropores are formed within and adjacent to the macropores. The metal surface is cleaned, and a first ink having a first color is applied to the macropores and micropores to form at least one image on the metal surface. Preferably, the ink is applied using an inkjet printer. The ink is dried. A second ink having a second color may also be applied to the metal surface and then dried. Additional inks may also be applied. A lacquer top coat may be applied to the metal surface on top of the first ink (and additional inks, if provided). Preferably, the metal surface is part of a coin.

Method of printing an image on a metallic surface, particularly on a coin surface

Method of making bimetallic coins or blanks

This invention overcomes problems such as pinholes and blisters in making plated coin blanks and similar articles. A ferrous metal blank is electroplated with a strike of nickel, following which a coating of copper is applied at an initial low current density followed by full current density to minimize bridging. The low current density may be about 1/6 to 1/4 of the full current density. Preferably an outer layer of nickel is applied, also at an initial low current density, followed by full current density. Annealing before or after application of the final layer of nickel is advisable. This invention also relates to the resulting coin blank and coins.

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Orleans, Canada

Hieu Cong Truong