Advantages of anodizing
Anodizing is one of the oldest and most sustainable surface treatments for aluminium, providing a combination of aesthetic and functional benefits.
Anodizing creates a dirt-repellent and hygienic surface. The process provides a visually appealing and enduring decorative finish with long-lasting color and gloss, preserving the “as new” appearance of the aluminium and extending its aesthetic lifespan. Anodizing also enhances the metal’s corrosion resistance.
An anodized surface offers a tactile quality that makes the material pleasant to touch, and which makes it a practical choice for machine parts due to its wear-resistant and abrasion-resistant properties. In addition, the electrically insulated coatings that result from anodization also make it a versatile option for various applications, including as a base for the application of adhesives or printing inks.
For all these reasons, anodizing is a go-to solution for many surface treatment needs.
Make your profile an optical highlight with coloration
Natural anodized but unsealed aluminium is colored with organic or inorganic dyes. Profiles are colored by dipping them in a dye bath or by spraying. Both methods are water-based.
Electrolytic coloring
Electrolytic coloring is carried out as a separate stage after anodizing and provides a high level of ultra-violet resistance. The pigment, a tin salt, is deposited at the bottom of the oxide pores by means of alternating current. The color scale runs from champagne to black.
All colors are available in matte or semi-matte finish. They are highly resistant to fading.
The choice of coloring method depends on the UV radiation level and the temperature at which the layer will be exposed, both indoors and outdoors. Color fastness varies with the pigments and coloring method used.
The inorganic color layer has limited color fastness in some cases and is therefore not suitable for applications where it is exposed to high temperatures or UV light.
Anodizing for your application
The application of the aluminium product will have an influence on the benefits provided by the anodizing process, such as electrical insulation, color, hardness or easy cleaning. Here are examples:
- Room-in-room solutions
- Drop sides for trucks and trailers
- Winter gardens
- Window and door solutions
- Covers for pool systems
- Furniture
- Heat sinks/housings
- Machine construction profiles and solar modules
- Case struts
- Spirit levels
Our experts will be happy to advise you if you need a customized individual solution.
Mechanical surface treatments
Mechanical surface methods are mainly used as preliminary treatments prior to anodizing. These include:
- Polishing. As it sounds, this treatment smooths the surface and improves gloss. Requirements are agreed upon in consultation with the customer. Where high gloss is required, polishing may be followed by chemical polishing and bright anodizing.
- Blasting. This is the most effective technique for carrying out the preparation treatment of surfaces prior to painting or the application of a protective layer against corrosion, such as anodizing. The purpose of the sand-blasting treatment is to improve surface quality and remove surface defects. It creates a homogeneous surface. Blasting is mainly used for satin or matte surface effects.
- Tumbling. This is used to remove machine marks and burrs, and to round edges. It can also improve surface shine and smoothness. Aluminium tumbling is most commonly used for deburring. The process uses a horizontal drum barrel that vibrates and rotates with abrasive materials to eliminate burrs. The surface finish can range from matte to shiny, depending on the choice of tumbling media.
We use grinding for some designs and projects to improve the aesthetic and decorative nature of a surface. This treatment leaves fine grooves in the direction of the grinding. The surface texture can be made very fine, medium or coarse.