Is an anodized finish the best coating for your metals? This article’s purpose is to help you learn more about an anodized finish coating as well as help you learn how to choose the right coating for your aluminum metal parts.
What is the anodizing process?
Anodizing is the process of the formation of a protective coating on the aluminum using aluminum oxide. It was developed more than 75 years ago. This type of finish will last according to the thickness of the anodic coating used.
This is a simple electrochemical process that turns the metal surface into a durable, decorative, corrosive-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Anodizing is ideally used for aluminum metals, but it can also be used for nonferrous metals like magnesium and titanium.
Aluminum oxide is a corrosion-resistant and very durable material, which can effectively protect the metal it coats. This kind of coating can also be colored with dyes or it can also exhibit bronze colors because of the diffraction phenomena as an effect of the coating used.
What are the Advantages of Using Anodized Finish on Your Aluminum Parts?
- Cheaper than using paint or any organic coatings. It can help save money in the long run because it also requires lower maintenance costs and will result in a great long term value for your money.
- Anodizing is a good choice for aluminum in high density and traffic areas that are frequently subjected to abuse and abrasive cleaning agents.
- Anodizing finish does not peel off like paint. The coating applied to the metal becomes a part of the metal.
- Anodizing is effective in preventing corrosion.
- Anodizing is durable, hard, and usually has a longer life span if the coating finish applied is thicker. It also offers a lot of economic and financial advantages because of the savings you can get for maintenance and operation.
- An anodizing finish improves the metallic appearance of the metal when compared to organic coatings. The anodized coating is translucent and the base metal can still be seen even when applied with a coating.
- The anodized finish is not affected by direct sunlight. If you opt to use an organic coating, it will soon fade because of the repeated exposure to the UV rays of the sun. It can also be repeatedly applied and it will not affect the base metal.
- An anodized finish in aluminum is easy to clean and maintain. Just use a mild soap and water to clean it and it will easily be restored to its original look. Mild abrasive cleaners can be used to clean hard to remove deposits.
- The anodized finish is safe and not harmful to a person’s health. This chemical is stable, non-toxic, heat and corrosion-resistant and will not decompose. It does not produce any dangerous by-products that can affect human health or the surrounding environment.
Thin anodized coatings are very poor quality and will not be used for metal roofing or outside curtain-walls because it will have poor chemical resistance. If you want a high-performance aluminum finish, then go for the Anodized finish here in SEI Castings.
