Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

The AMS 2488 standard for anodizing titanium

adv.
 

Q. Sir,

We intend to do alkaline anodising for Ti-6Al-4V component to get minimum 5 micron thickness for wear protection wherein we could get only 0.2 micron by normal sulfuric acid anodising process. AMS specification suggests to use solution of pH 12-13. Kindly provide International Specification for ALKALINE ANODISING OF TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS. Kindly provide process details to get minimum thickness of 5 microns.

Thanking you,

A. Hi, Sreenivasan. I think you're referring to AMS 2488. AMS specs are copyrighted, so you have to buy them, either direct from AMS or through specification clearinghouses.

Unfortunately, just because there is an AMS spec for this doesn't necessarily mean that the process details are in the spec or in the public domain. I am under the impression that the alkaline anodizing process for titanium is not a generic process but is considered a trade secret by most users including Tiodize. So, you can have someone who knows how to do it process the parts for you, or license the process, or retain a consultant who knows all the little details .,, but I don't think anyone is going to tell the world how to do what they earn their living doing :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

A. Ted, you are correct this process is a trade secret. To my count there are only six companies nationwide who do this anodizing on medical components.

Jon Quirt
- Fridley, Minnesota

Multiple threads merged: please forgive chronology errors :-)

Q. Hello,

I am looking at anodizing steel and I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find an actual copy of the AMS 2488 standard. Is there some site on the web where I can print it for free? Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

A. If you are interested in anodizing steel, save your money. AMS 2488 is a standard for anodizing titanium and is copyright-protected, so don't expect it for free.

AMS 2488 : Anodic Treatment - Titanium and Titanium Alloys Solution Ph 13 Or Higher 06-01-2000 Standard

"This specification establishes the engineering requirements for producing an electrolytic conversion (anodic) coating on titanium and titanium alloys and the properties of the coating. These coatings have been used typically as a lubricating and anti-galling coating for elevated temperature forming, as an isolating film for increased resistance to galvanic corrosion, to provide improved wear resistance and as a pretreatment for the application of solid film lubricants, but usage is not limited." © 2003 SAE International $59.00 (non-member) https://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&PROD_CD=AMS2488D

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.

A. Rebecca, the sale of AMS documents is one of the ways SAE supports itself. You can get the specification at SAE.org, for $59 ($47.20 for members). Seems like a lot for an 8 page document, but they are copyrighted: so you shouldn't be able to find it for free on the web.

Steel isn't anodized commercially- at least not intentionally.
Good luck!

Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York

Ed. note: Rebecca probably suffered a typo or mind blip with the reference to steel; anodizing is not a process frequently associated with steel. But for a robust debate on whether iron & steel can in fact be anodized, please see: Topic 37471, "Can steel be anodized? If so, how?" and Topic 13970, "Anodizing of iron and steel"

Multiple threads merged: please forgive chronology errors :-)

Q. Does anyone know where I can purchase AMS 2488, the spec for titanium anodizing? I have searched the usual places and have struck out.

Thanks,

A. SAE AMS 2488, revision D, can be purchased directly from the publisher, SAE, using the following link: https://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&PROD_CD=AMS2488D Toby Padfield Automotive module supplier - Michigan A. Glenn, that spec can be found at and bought from SAE's website. Just type "AMS2404" in the search box in the upper left, and you'll go right to the proper page. Lee Gearhart metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York

A. If not from any of the commercial specification services, AMS (aerospace material specifications) can be purchased directly form the source, the Society of Automotive Engineers, from their website (www.sae.org)

Doug Hahn
aerospace - Crestview, Florida

Multiple threads merged: please forgive chronology errors :-)

Q. I'M LOOKING FOR INFO ON WHERE TO LOOK TO GET MORE INFO ON TITANIUM ANODIZING TO AMS 2488
I ALREADY DO COMMERCIAL COLORS ON TITANIUM IN A TYPE 3 ANO BATH. WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO USE FOR THE HIGH PH BATH AND IN WHAT CONCENTRATION. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANKS,

A. The spec AMS 2488 requires alkaline solution with pH greater than 13. This does not tell you the best practice, chemicals, temperature, voltage, amps and time. There are companies and consultants who have experience & proprietary products for this process. They may also be of assistance in testing to meet the anti-galling requirements.

P.S. I'd like to find out if I can make a specific referral here.

Good luck,

Ed. note: Please don't, Kas. A banner ad at the top of this page lists our advertisers who offer that service and who make this page possible for Eric and all of us. This site can't exist for any of us without advertisers, and what advertiser would support a site that spends their money steering business to their competitors who choose not to advertise there? The firm you are referring to is certainly welcome to become a supporting advertiser. Thanks :-)