Anodizing

What is Aluminum Anodizing?

Aluminum anodizing is an electrochemical process in which an oxide (anodic) layer is chemically built on the surface of the metal. This oxide layer acts as an insulator and can be dyed in a wide variety of colors. Anodizing provides surface corrosion protection along with an excellent adhesion property.

What is Hardcoat?

Hardcoat is a highly abrasion resistant, non-conductive aluminum oxide coating that makes an aluminum surface harder due to greater thickness and weight than conventional anodic coatings. Anodic coatings form an excellent base for dry film lubricants, Teflon, paint, and adhesives.

Note: You cannot hardcoat over hardcoat, anodize over anodize, build up hardcoat over anodize, chromic over hardcoat, or just add another 0.0005″ to the surface.

Weldments and Welded aluminum parts

When two or more parts are welded together, acid may be entrapped in the weld and the area around the weld. Color variations exist when a welding rod alloy is vastly different from the alloy used to make the part. Halos appear around welds because of the high temperature used in the welding process. The area around the weldment will be slightly lighter in color, causing the welded area to appear larger than it is.

Hardcoat and Thread Coating  

Hardcoat thickness is typically 0.002″.  Half the coating thickness is build-up and half is penetration into the base metal.

Hardcoat Blind Holes or Through Holes  

Through holes will hardcoat evenly up to twice the length of the diameter.

Blind holes will only hardcoat to a depth equal to the diameter of the hole.