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Anodizing aluminum wire for insulation

January 25, 2012

Q. Hello all,
I want to anodize aluminum wire to provide an electrical insulator on the outside.
Is there any company with whom you may be aware that does this OR that you believe has a good capability at developing this?
What alloy of aluminum may be best for this?
Should I consider barrier anodizing or typical open pore sulfuric anodizing?

Thanks.

Brian

Brian S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Minnesota

Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)

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I cannot answer any of your questions but would like to share the following two thoughts. (1) There is some published work on the dielectric properties of anodic coatings on different alloys and thicknesses, which might help you decide what voltages you can depend on, and (2) once you bend the wire you open cracks in the hard brittle coating.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

January 25, 2012