How do you specify anodized aluminum?
When specifying anodized aluminum products, the following specific criteria should be addressed:
- Alloy and temper of aluminum to be used.
- Mechanical finish, if any, required.
- Chemical finish in preparation for anodizing.
- Anodic oxide type required.
What aluminum alloy is best for anodizing?
When hard anodizing, the best results are usually found with 6061 and 6082 alloys. 6063 is a favorite alloy for cosmetic work. Finally, 7000 series alloys use zinc as the alloying agent and they are considered very strong with a clear finish. These alloys are popular in the automotive industry.
Is 6061 aluminum anodized?
For example, alloys 5005, 5657, 6063, and 6463, are labeled “Anodizing Quality (AQ).” Not all alloys within the 5xxx and 6xxx series meet the AQ qualification, though they can still be anodized satisfactorily. For example, alloy 6061 is not considered AQ, nor are 5052, 5252, or 6101.
What is Type 3 Class 2 anodizing?
Type II is the conventional sulfuric acid anodize which can be decoratively dyed nearly any color and results in a thickness of 0.0002 – 0.0006”. Hardcoat Anodize is Type III which is done under more exacting process conditions resulting in a harder, denser, thicker, and more abrasion resistant coating.
How do I specify anodizing?
The specification states that anodic coating thickness should be specifically called out by the purchase documents and/or the part drawing. An example of a hard anodized and black dyed finish designated by this specification would be: MIL-A-8625(latest version), Type III, Class 2 black, 2.0 mil coating thickness.
Can 6061 T6 be anodized?
The part shown is a 6061-T6 aluminum motor base that has been anodized with hard coating and dyed black. The base measures 4″ in length, 2″ in width, and has a coating thickness between 0.0002″ and 0.0005″.
What alloys can be anodized?
material suitable for anodizing applications
| Series (AA)* | Alloying Constituents | Non- A.Q.** Types |
|---|---|---|
| 3XXX | Manganese | 3003 3004 |
| 4XXX | Silicon | 4043 4343 |
| 5XXX | Magnesium | 5052 5252 |
| 6XXX | Magnesium and Silicon | 6061 6101 |
Is 3003 aluminum anodized?
Aluminum 3003 is a general purpose manganese alloy that is stronger than the 1100 alloy. It offers fine corrosion resistance yet its anodizing characteristics are fair.
What grade aluminum can be anodized?
Hard anodising gives best results on 6061 or 6082 alloys, but 6000 and 7000 series aluminium is generally suitable for hard anodising. Hard anodising is possible on 5000 series alloys, but properties such as wear resistance will be compromised.
How do you specify anodizing?
Both Type II and Type III “hard” anodizing are very hard coatings. Type III “hard” anodizing is done at a lower temperature, is more expensive, and a little harder than Type II, but you need special equipment to tell the difference in practical terms. Type III, however, is much thicker than Type II, typically .
Can 7075 aluminum be anodized?
Some 7075,depending on heat treatment at the mill or subsequent heat treatment, may have precipitated the zinc into the grain boundaries, then when you anodized, it pulled out (dissolved (unplated) like the anode in a zinc plating tank). A. It’s relatively easy to hard anodize 7075.
Can you anodize 5052?
A. Yes you can hard anodize 5052. “1/8 inches thick” will be difficult to “get the current on the part”. Bending will crack the hard brittle anodizing, the thicker the worse.
How do you measure anodizing thickness?
Thickness of anodizing can be measured non-destructively using an eddy current coating thickness gage or by calculating weight per unit area.
What is the thickness of hard anodize?
Coating Description Hard coat anodizing increases the thickness of the naturally occurring oxide layer on aluminum surfaces. Natural oxide layers are generally 2 to 3 nanometers thick—with Type III anodizing, this layer can be increased to or above 50 μm* (0.002”).
What are the criteria for selecting anodized aluminum products?
When specifying anodized aluminum products, the following specific criteria should be addressed: Anodic oxide type required. Wrought Alloys. The alloy and temper of the product to be anodized will affect both the strength and the appearance of the part after it is anodized.
What is anodised aluminium?
The anodised aluminium product becomes one electrolyte, and graphite (or aluminium) becomes the other. The oxide or hydroxide precipitates in the pores adding colours such as black, brown, blue, yellowish grey, and bronze to the film.
Aluminum-magnesium alloys such as 514 and 535 anodize well. Aluminum-zinc alloys like 712, 713, and 771 also respond well to anodizing. Some higher silicon casting alloys, such as 356, can be anodized using special techniques and processes.
What is the chemical treatment of aluminum before anodizing?
Chemical treatment of the part significantly affects its matteness or brightness (specularity). Chemical treatment is done prior to anodizing and is a very important factor in the final appearance of the anodized part. The pre-anodize chemical treatment of aluminum is often called the cleaning, clean-up or pretreatment phase of the process.