Alcoa Inc.

Luis Fanor Vega

James M Marinelli

Thomas L Levendusky

John Liu

Albert L Askin

Paul E Magnusen

Ming Li

Simon Sheu

Markus B Heinimann

Jiantao Liu

Kevin M Robare

Joseph D Guthrie

Clinton Zediak

Jean Ann Skiles

Daniel L Serafin

Robert E Bombalski

Neal Richard Dando

Paula L Kolek

Verne Bergstrom

Nickolas C Kotow

Wilson C Lee

Jaskirat Sohi

Marlene A Thompson

John R Grassi

Mark A Holtz

Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.

Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing same

Aluminum alloy products comprising an aluminum alloy base and a sulfate-phosphate oxide zone integral therewith are disclosed. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Corrosion resistant aluminum alloy substrates and methods of producing the same

Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Self cleaning aluminum alloy substrates

This invention discloses a method of coating an object while increasing the temper of an object to peak strength. The method of increasing the temper of the object to peak strength includes providing an object having a substantially homogeneous solution of a precipitate hardening composition; and applying an image atop at least a portion of the object, wherein temperature and time of applying the image provide peak strength in the object. The image may be applied to the object surface by dye sublimation. The object may be a vehicle wheel formed of aluminum.

Thermal process for wheels

There is disclosed a method for surface treating aluminum products, especially vehicle wheels, to improve their brightness. The method comprises: (a) applying a chemical brightening composition to these products; (b) deoxidizing the surface of these wheel products in a nitric acid-based bath; (c) forming a porous oxide on that with an electrolytic bath containing phosphoric acid; and (d) applying, preferably spraying, a siloxane-based film to that porous oxide. In many instances, intermediate rinsing substeps are performed between these respective main steps.

Method for surface treating aluminum products

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Cheswick, PA, United States of America

Luis Fanor Vega