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Mil Spec # for Anodizing Titanium

Alum uses MIL-A-8625 / MIL-PRF-8625 [on DLA] Type I, II or III for Anodize Do you use the same Mil spec # for Anodizing Titanium or is there a different Mil spec # ?

Lyle Foss
Machine Shop - Hamel, Minnesota, USA
2003

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MIL-A-8625 is definitely not applicable for titanium. SAE AMS 2488 C is an appropriate standard for anodizing titanium.

Toby Padfield
- Michigan
2003

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Toby,

I think that AMS 2488 is for a hard deposit with or without a dry film lube applied. I do not recall that it covers colors. The new Rev Level is now D.

Jon Quirt
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2003

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2003

Jon,

Thanks for the correction on the spec revision level.

Lyle,

The SAE standard is for coating thicknesses on the order of micrometers. If you are only interested in tinting for the sake of color, then the anodic treatment only needs to produce a layer thickness on the order of 0.02-0.17 micrometers. There is no industry standard for this.

Toby Padfield
- Michigan

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Toby,
Thanks for the conformation. I have never found a spec to cover color titanium anodizing. Tiodize calls it Type III Type I being hard anodize without the outer layer removed intended for a dry film lube, and Type II with the outer layer removed. We do the Type II and colors for medical devices.

Jon Quirt
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2003

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Hello

I have to admit that after tons of searching the internet I can't find an ASM/ASTM for color anodizing of Titanium as well. Nor a good chemical description of the process.

Any guesses as to why that is?

Thanks

Bob H.

Bob Haldane
Medical Devices - Naples Florida
October 17, 2011

adv.