Anodizing Processes: Bringing Color To A Surface

If there are techniques to soften metal parts, there are also processes that help thicken the surfaces of these pieces. One technology responsible for such an output is known as anodizing. This process increases resistance of the metal from possible corrosion as well as wear and tear. It renders better adhesive capacities for primers or paints. When compared with working with bare metal, anodizing makes glue work better.

Anodizing processes

The processes behind anodizing differ in the material used to finalize the output or the metal. The following are the most common examples of materials in the procedure:

Chromic acid. This is the oldest form of the anodizing process. It produces a thinner, denser, softer and more flexible output. They are usually more difficult to dye than the rest of the other materials for the process.

Sulfuric acid. This is the most popular among all anodizing solutions. The output may range from thin coatings such as those of the ones produced by chromic acid to thicker ones.

Organic acid. This replaced the use of oxalic acid in the completion of the process. It produces colors within the shades of yellow including gold, brown and deep bronze. In this instance, there is no further need to repaint the output.

Phosphoric acid. This technique is commonly employed in order to prepare the underlying surface for adhesives.

Borate and tartrate baths. The thickness of the outputs of these techniques will depend upon the voltage applied to the material. This is widely favorable in the creation of electrolytic capacitors.

Plasma electrolytic oxidation. This involves the same processes in the borate and tartrate baths. However, it requires higher voltages than the latter. The process may cause sparks and may also lead to a more crystalline output.

Anodizing may occur in several metal forms such as titanium, tantalum, zinc, magnesium, zinc and niobium. Dying and sealing are also important parts of the entire process.

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