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Consistency of Anodization Color

Q. Are there established standards for defining anodization color?

We manufacture a number of anodized products with critical cosmetic requirements, often with mating anodized parts. I am working to define a color specification which will ensure color consistency from batch to batch and vendor to vendor. Understanding that anodization color is a function of many variables (dye, part material, part preparation, process times...), one option I am considering is defining color in terms of "pantone" colors...

Thanks

Sean Garry
- San Jose, California, USA
2001

A. The difficulties in specifying "a color" (be it Pantone or something else) for a finished anodized product are many. The degree of dye absorption is influenced by many factors. Film thickness and pore size are two factors influencing color. Another factor is aluminum alloy. Many components that are designed to be mated on final assembly are not even manufactured from the same alloy! This makes color matching as much of an art as it is a science. My company will supply customers with a color-board. This board contains a range of shades that my company can reproduce and will meet the needs of the customer. A very tight range can be maintained if the part quality is consistent.

Victor Waldman
- Naugatuck, Connecticut
2001