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How to Aluminize steel then anodize it?

We make jewelry and folding knife parts, and the occasional piece of art. My question is, is it possible to aluminize tool steel (d2, M2,o1,etc), or stainless steel (ats34,bg42) and after aluminizing apply a type 2 anodize? I did a search for this info but so far the closest I've seen was in regards to a hard coat anodize on non stainless, from with I gathered it wouldn't work well. Would a type 2 work? It is going to be purely for appearances. As long as the dye is able to absorb and it seals well it should work out fine for us if you need the metallurgy composition of the steels let me know and ill dig up the info thank you in advance for any help!

Jason Aube
machine shop - Flint, Michigan
2003

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I only know of three ways to aluminize steel. One is plating and to the best of my knowledge there is only one facility in the USA that does it. NOT cheap.
It will probably be thin. Remember that anodizing uses about 50 % of the growth from the aluminum below the surface. If the Al is thin, then all you can get is a thin anodize. Second is flame spray.

This normally would not be cosmetically acceptable for your use. You can try it. Third is PVD - physical vapor deposition. This is done in a vacuum and is not for onesy-twosy type production.
It also is not cheap for most people.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

OK thank you for your response James. We have had PVD done for us in the past and it was within our cost range, I never knew Al. PVD was possible. I'll have to follow up on that. If that doesn't pan out then I'll just have to mechanically attach Al sheets to it. Time to start digging for al-stainless adhesives ;)

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan
2003

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About 20 years ago Robins Air Force Base did vacuum metallizing of steel with aluminum and with government printed fiat money, they were able to put it on thick enough to chromate. Still, I do not think you will ever deposit enough aluminum on steel to take a 0.0004 inch anodic coating (which is 0.0002 in and 0.0002 out )thick enough to absorb dye. And if you do the jewelry will be more precious than the Crown Jewels in London. Some similar work has been done at Navy Air Station in Jacksonville Florida however I am not sure it was with aluminum. They have money too.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

2003