Aluminum Company of America

Alcoa Inc.

Nickolas C Kotow

Jean Ann Skiles

Robert E Bombalski

Thomas L Levendusky

Daniel L Serafin

Albert L Askin

James M Marinelli

Mark L Weaver

Luis Fanor Vega

Paula L Kolek

Edward C Robinson

Verne Bergstrom

Marlene A Thompson

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

A printing plate is made by coating a metal substrate with a polymer layer having an outer surface, coating the polymer layer with solid particles having an average particle size of less than about 30 microns, and compressing the solid particles so that most of them are below the polymer layer outer surface. The solid particles are preferably alpha-alumina particles having an average size of about 1-10 microns. The printing plate has improved wear resistance.

Printing plate having improved wear resistance

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Bethel Park, PA, United States of America

Nickolas C Kotow