The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 13, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 07, 2007
Albert L. Askin, Lower Burrell, PA (US);
Verne Bergstrom, Natrona Heights, PA (US);
Robert E. Bombalski, New Kensington, PA (US);
Paula L. Kolek, Tarentum, PA (US);
Nickolas C. Kotow, Bethel Park, PA (US);
Marlene A. Thompson, Murrysville, PA (US);
Jean Ann Skiles, Gibsonia, PA (US);
Luis F. Vega, Cheswick, PA (US);
James M. Marinelli, Murrysville, PA (US);
Daniel Serafin, Wexford, PA (US);
Albert L. Askin, Lower Burrell, PA (US);
Verne Bergstrom, Natrona Heights, PA (US);
Robert E. Bombalski, New Kensington, PA (US);
Paula L. Kolek, Tarentum, PA (US);
Nickolas C. Kotow, Bethel Park, PA (US);
Marlene A. Thompson, Murrysville, PA (US);
Jean Ann Skiles, Gibsonia, PA (US);
Luis F. Vega, Cheswick, PA (US);
James M. Marinelli, Murrysville, PA (US);
Daniel Serafin, Wexford, PA (US);
Alcoa Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
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.