Aluminum anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the aluminum surface into a durable, corrosion- and wear-resistant, decorative oxide layer. This aluminum oxide is not applied to the surface as a coating or plating, but is fully integrated into the underlying aluminum substrate.
Anodized aluminum foil is not easy to chip or peel and has a highly ordered porous structure that allows for secondary processes such as coloring. The colors of anodized aluminum can meet customers' different color requirements and can be customized according to Pantone color number. Anodized gold is also a common case for anodized aluminum colors.
There are two main types of aluminum oxidation: one is electrochemical oxidation, also called anodizing; the other is chemical oxidation, also known as chemical conversion. Electrochemical oxidation is further divided into: 1. Anodizing with sulfuric acid; 2. Anodizing with chromic acid; 3. Anodizing with oxalic acid. Sulfuric acid anode is also divided into normal anodizing, hard anodizing and porcelain anodizing. Chemical oxidation mainly includes: chromium oxidation (also divided into conductive film or non-conductive film), phosphate oxidation and phosphate chromate oxidation.
Among them, hard anodized aluminum is the preferred choice for most customers who want to have anodized aluminum. Hard anodized aluminum, also known as MIL-A-8625Type III or technical anodizing, is similar to standard anodizing in that both involve controlled electrochemical processes. The main difference is that hard anodizing aluminum creates a more wear-resistant surface and has a smoother, harder finish than standard anodizing. Hard anodized aluminum usually has a clear or black finish, although some prefer aluminum in different colors for aesthetic reasons.
Three Main Factors Affecting the Cost of Aluminum Anodizing
Although the cost of anodized aluminum sheet depends on different requirements, there are three main factors that affect the cost of anodized aluminum. The cost of anodized aluminum depends mainly on the thickness of the coating, the size and shape of the part, and the additional services desired.
Coating thickness
If the type of coating does not require a specific thickness, it is considered a “base layer” and is the most cost-effective coating.
Controlling the exact thickness of the coating affects the cost. If coating thickness specifications include upper and lower limits, the narrower the range, the higher the cost. For example, +/- 0.001 inches is cheaper than the narrower range of +/- 0.0001 inches. Maximum coating thicknesses can also cost more because they take longer to produce.
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Shelving technology is crucial to quality. Commercially available pure aluminum or titanium shelves are used to create electrical contact. If racking requirements are not specified for the job, the manufacturer will use the most economical method to obtain the highest yield. Certain racking requirements may limit the number of parts processed at one time and the cost per part may increase.
The number of parts anodized at one time is affected by power supply limitations. Anodizing is done at 15 or 30 amps per square foot (ASF). Therefore, there is a maximum surface area that can be processed in each pass.
Extras
Customers often require additional processes to complement the anodizing process. When parts require simple or complex coverage or holes need to be filled, these services add labor and time. While these services add value, they also increase the overall cost of aluminum anodizing.
These aluminum anodizing methods will help you decide which process is best suited or correct for your metal and other prototype parts. If you need surface treatment solutions for aluminum functional parts subject to corrosion or wear, such as: For example, aircraft parts or consumer goods, this post-processing can be more cost-effective compared to painting and powder coating.
How to make high quality anodized aluminum parts
- Professional aluminum anodizing service.
- High quality anodized aluminum process. The intended colors and gloss levels of anodized aluminum end pieces are influenced in part by the anodizing technology.
- Select high-quality aluminum materials for surface preparation before anodizing parts. When anodizing small aluminum parts, the anodizing result is influenced by the composition of the aluminum material.
- Advanced CNC milling. The powerful CNC milling service can achieve tight machining tolerances, further improving the surface finish when finishing aluminum parts.
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Anodized aluminum is more resistant to corrosion and provides better adhesion for primers and adhesives than bare metal. Anodized films can also be used for aesthetic reasons, either with thick, porous coatings that can absorb dyes or with thin, transparent coatings that create interference effects by reflecting light. And when it comes to the cost of anodizing aluminum, customers and manufacturers need to focus on the required thickness, number of shelves and additional needs to make a sensible production decision.
If you want to learn more about how aluminum anodizing can improve your prototypes and parts, contact us to learn how our engineers can improve your own production plans. Also, here are other aluminum CNC services you might be interested in.
