Metal Surface and Process for Treating a Metal Surface

Abstract

An article having a metal surface is treated to have one or more desired effects, such as desired functional properties or a desired cosmetic appearance. The surface is anodized to create an oxide layer having pores therein and a metal deposition process is performed to deposit multiple different metals within the pores. A pretreatment act, such as degreasing, chemical etching, chemical polishing, and desmutting can also be conducted on the surface prior to anodization. The surface can also be dyed, sealed, and polished.

1 . A method of treating a metal surface of an article comprising:
 providing an article having a metal surface;   anodizing the metal surface to create an oxide layer on the metal surface, the oxide layer having pores therein; and   performing a metal deposition process to deposit at least a first metal and a second metal within the pores of the oxide layer on at least a portion of the metal surface,   wherein the first metal and the second metal are different metals.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of performing a metal deposition process includes performing a first metal deposition process to deposit the first metal within the pores and performing a second metal deposition process to deposit the second metal within the pores. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 dyeing the oxide layer with a dye after performing the metal deposition process.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the act of dyeing the oxide layer includes depositing dye within the pores and dyeing the first metal and second metal after the first metal and second metal are deposited within the pores. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a color of the dye is different than a color of at least one of the first metal and second metal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 sealing the oxide layer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 polishing the oxide layer after sealing the oxide layer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 texturizing the metal surface before anodizing the metal surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of each of the pores is in a range from about 0.01 to about 0.03 microns. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first metal is nickel and wherein the second metal is tin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a color of the first metal is different than a color of the second metal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal surface is formed of aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , the metal surface including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first metal and the second metal are deposited within the pores of the oxide layer on the second portion, and wherein a mask is applied to the oxide layer on the first portion of the metal surface after the first metal and second metal are deposited. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising: performing a metal deposition process to deposit one or more metals within the pores of the oxide layer on the first portion of the metal surface, and wherein a mask is applied to the oxide layer on the second portion of the metal surface after the one or more metals are deposited on the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . A metal surface treated according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the article is an electronic device housing. 
     
     
         17 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
 a metal surface including an oxide layer having pores that are at least partially filled with a first deposited metal and a second deposited metal.   
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the pores that are partially filled with the first and second deposited metals are sealed. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the first metal is a different metal than the second metal. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein a color of the first metal is different than a color of the second metal. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating an aluminum surface of a component for an electronic device comprising:
 providing a component for an electronic device having an aluminum surface;   anodizing the surface in a sulfuric acid bath to create an oxide layer having pores therein;   drying the oxide layer surface;   performing a metal deposition process to deposit nickel and tin at the bottom of the pores;   dyeing both the oxide layer and the deposited materials; and   sealing the nickel and the tin within the pores.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the act of performing a metal deposition process to deposit nickel and tin within the pores includes a first act of depositing one of nickel and tin within the pores followed by a second act of depositing the other of tin and nickel within the pores. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 polishing the oxide layer after sealing the oxide layer.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a color of the dye is different than a color of at least one of the deposited first and second metals. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the component for an electronic device is a housing for a handheld electronic device.