Alcoa Inc.

Marlene A Thompson

Jean Ann Skiles

Daniel L Serafin

Robert E Bombalski

Albert L Askin

James M Marinelli

Luis Fanor Vega

Paula L Kolek

Verne Bergstrom

Nickolas C Kotow

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

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Murrysville, PA, United States of America

Marlene A Thompson