The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Surface condition for anodizing

2006

I would like to understand further on the surface condition of the Anodised Aluminium. For instance, the control of the Thickness, Quality of Sealing, Colour and appearance, Corrosion resistance, Abrasion resistance, Fastness to Light, Resistance to crazing by deformation...etc. As we are dealing with most part where it is only stated Clear Anodised or Silver Anodised instead of providing the full detail of the requirement to us.
Where the customer may reject us on the different quality of treatment done on the part.

Look forward to seek your expertise to improve from this situation.

How to differentiate the part has undergone anodised or hard anodised?

JESSE KONG
Frencken Malaysia - Penang, Malaysia

---

Hello Frencken. Hard anodized surfaces will usually appear dark grey to black, and not particularly metallic in appearance. Robert Probert's "Aluminum How-to" is a great introduction to the issues you raised and is very readable. For a more in-depth reference, you might also consider adding Wernick, Pinner & Sheasby's "The Surface Finishing and Treatment of Aluminum and Its Alloys" to your library.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006