No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989

-----

Lapping Hard Anodize?HELP!

I am machining a part made from mic-6 aluminum and there is a "16" finish required after hard black anodize. I have been informed that after plating the smooth finish will be lost and may have to lap somehow. I've tried sanding a sample piece but doesn't seem to be very effective. Any advice?

Steve Jakubowski
- Fremont, CA, 94538
2000

The nice thing about hard coat is "it is hard". Silicon carbide is harder, but on sandpaper the glue or adhesive is not all that strong so the carbide comes off. this is a design function for general use. Hard coat can be lapped, IE: with a hone or diamond paste of decreasing grit size. If you start out with a 6-8 RMS, put on 0.001 per side of hardcoat, you should end up with a finish around 16. Some systems and some anodizers better than common ones are out there also.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2000

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: