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Masking of Anodic Film

2005

I run a small anodising plant, and I am being asked to provide components to a customer anodised but not sealed, as they are getting a supplementary finish applied after anodising and the pore needs to be open.
As I am in Ireland and the customer is in Germany, I need an effective way of preventing the film from self sealing in transit. I have tried some of the masking paints, but they are hard to remove, usually needing a chemical process to completely remove.
what are my options?

Bill Taylor
- Birr, Co.Offaly. Eire

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2005

Bill

If you have not done so already, I would suggest sending them a first article to see if your standard practice will produce acceptable results.

If not, you could try packaging the part (dried!) in an inert atmosphere, such as N2 or CO2.

Willie Alexander
- Colorado Springs, Colorado

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2005

It takes moisture to seal the part, anything you do to decrease the amount of moisture would help prevent sealing. If an inert atmosphere ends up being overly expensive (which it well might) you should be able to put some sort of desiccant in the packaging that will help remove any free moisture.

Good luck!

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA