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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Dissolving just the aluminium, not the anodizing

I am trying to make a very thin hard diaphragm. I have been told that is it possible to anodize an aluminum disc and then dissolve the aluminum. does this seem possible. If so what would I use to dissolve the aluminum and not the anodizing.

Thanks,

George Cardas
consumer electronics designer - Bandon, Oregon, USA
2004

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I don't think it's possible, George, and I don't think you'd be happy with an aluminum oxide diaphragm if it was. Maybe use the aluminum disc and electroplate it with nickel sulfamate, then dissolve the aluminum with caustic. This nickel electroforming process is used to design thousands of different kinds of parts.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

That was a red star winner to me, Ted. Just want to add that such a pattern disc does not necessarily have to be aluminum nor be dissolved. It can be used several times with the proper pretreatment and separation technique from its nickel plate.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2004