Anodize

Types of Anodize

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Clear Coat Anodize (Type 2)

Clear coat anodize is usually around .3 mils to 1.2 mils thick. While it is has less corrosion and wear resistant than type 3, it can be dyed almost any color. Expect a clean silver look for clear coat, much like a Macbook. 

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Hard Coat Anodize (Type 3)

Hard coat anodize is performed at lower temperatures and higher voltages than clear coat. These factors create a much stronger and thicker anodize layer. Expect high corrosion resistance and dielectric strength, along with a matte black finish. 

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AX200

AX200 is our proprietary coating that maximizes corrosion resistance and dielectric strength. Internal tests show about 10x corrosion resistance and 2x dielectric strength. Depending on the alloy used, color will range from dark gray to black.

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Dye and Teflon Anodize

Along with the other anodize processes mentioned here. We also can dye or apply teflon over the anodize layer to give either color and lubrication properties, depending on the required application. 

Approved LAM Anodize Specs

Approved Applied Materials Anodize Specs

Other Anodize Specs

Anodizing Basics and Spec Selection

Anodize Type and Class

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that transforms the aluminium into aluminium oxide which is highly corrosion resistant, insulating, and hard surface. 

The process is usually carried out in a sulfuric bath where applied voltage and current density creates different characteristics in the anodize know as Type 2 or Type 3. After the initial anodizing, the part can undergo a dye process or simply sealed with Ni Acetate or DI Water. A dyed anodize part is called class 2 and a non dyed part is class 1. 

Tolerances and Thickness

Most engineering drawings dictate that dimensions apply after anodize. This leads many machine shops to wonder how to compensate for anodize buildup. For this compensation you can assume that 50% of the anodize is penetration into the aluminium and the remaining 50% is buildup. Therefore, if the anodize is 2 mils, the part will be 1 mil thicker dimensionally. 

Thickness can be anywhere from .1 mil to 5 mils (on 5052) or more commonly .1 mils to 3 mils on 6061. Clear coat thicknesses (Type 2) function best, especially for dye acceptance around .8 to 1.2 mils. Hardcoat (Type 3) needs around 1.8 mils to 3 mils. The thicker the anodize, the better the anodize properties which we will discuss now as it pertains to choosing a spec.

Choosing a Spec

Certain specs are designed to bring out certain attributes in the anodize, depending on customer needs. Common considerations are electrical resistance, corrosion resistance, thickness, cost, lubricity, and color. 

While almost all process parameters can be modified to meet customer requirements, many customers choose MIL-SPEC 8625 as the standard given its reliable performance based on the anodize criteria and balances those performance attributes with a reasonable cost. As a default, any anodize jobs unspecified in terms of spec will be assigned Mil-Spec. 

 

Performance Attributes

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