The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Need Black Anodizing process suitable for NIR

I'm looking for a black anodizing process that will prevent the parts from "glowing" under near infrared. When seen through night vision equipment black anodized parts look like brushed chrome, totally unacceptable for my usage.

Larry Dubroff
engineering consultant - Medford, Massachusetts
2007

---

Infra-red night vision picks up heat (IR emissions) All black surfaces are emitters of IR. The perfect IR emitter is known as a 'black body radiator'.
Unless your Al is exactly the same temperature as its surroundings, it will either radiate or absorb IR and will shine like a lighthouse.
Polished Al or white paint would be a better bet but poor in daylight.
If you are looking for camouflage, try standard cammo. paint. Anything is better than black.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
2007

According to research, type III hard anodizing is better than type 2 black dye in your case.

John Hu
- Singapore
2007

---

The thing is I've had parts black anodized that didn't stand out under night vision. I don't know if it was a special process or just a fluke. Company that did the work can't/won't say.
Using a different color is not an option.

Larry Dubroff
engineering consultant - Medford, Massachusetts
2007

Try bead blasting your parts prior to anodize. I have done this on many long wave IR optical housings and it works well.

Bill Mapel
- Austin, Texas
2007