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Anodized Aluminum
Anodized Aluminum
Anodized Aluminum: Custom / Close Tolerance / Hard Coating / Color /
Clear Aluminum / Sulfuric Anodizing, Corrosion Protection, Anodic Coatings,
Anodize Aluminum
Superior Metal Technologies offers a comprehensive range of anodized
aluminum services
to a wide range of customers, from industrial manufacturers needing
high capacity
production facilities, to the motorcycle customizers and hot rod
enthusiasts needing custom
anodizing for engine parts and accessories.
Anodized Aluminum Applications
Anodized aluminum products and components are used in thousands of commercial, industrial and consumer applications,
limited only to the imagination of designers and engineers, including:
We have the capabilities to process many types of aluminum and aluminum
alloy components, including:
- Extrusions
- Fabricated Extrusion
- Break Metal
- Panels
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- Piece Parts
- Tubing of all Types
- and much more
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Anodized Aluminum: Our Services
We offer two primary anodized aluminum anodic coating processes: sulfuric anodizing
(Type II, Class I), and modified
hardcoat anodizing,
also known as Hard Coating,
each having unique properties and benefits. Selecting the correct anodizing
process depends on the end-use application and specific properties needed
of the part:
- Sulfuric Anodizing (Architectural Type II, Class I) – provides excellent
corrosion resistance; can be dyed to produce a variety of colors
- Modified Hardcoat (Hard Coat) Anodizing (Architectural Type III) –
for parts with "high wear" functions, when hardness and wear resistance
are primary specification needs
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Checking Anodize
Thickness
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The anodized aluminum process typically includes cleaning,
pre-treating, anodizing, coloring (optional), and sealing.
- Close Tolerance Coatings – advanced technology
provides considerably smaller tolerances than previously available
- Pre-Treatment Finish
(Matte) –
we use a caustic soda etching process to remove any impurities on the
top layer of the aluminum
- Anodize Finishes – various
clear anodize options available along with coloring options for
anodized aluminum:
- Clear anodize (satin)
- Various shades of bronzes
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- Black
- Modified hard coat anodizing
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- Pre-Stripping of Existing Coating – prepares surface for new anodize
finish
- Fabrication – minor fabrications before or after coating
- Thermal Fill & Debridge
Benefits of Anodized Aluminum
Unlike most other finishes, anodized aluminum preserves the natural luster, texture, and beauty of the metal itself,
while imparting a hard coating that meets all the criteria to be
considered when choosing an aluminum finish:
- Corrosion
Protection – anodized aluminum resists moisture, salt spray, UV radiation
- Durability – long life span, will not wear out under normal use
- Color Stability – electrolytic process provides resistant to UV rays
- anodized aluminum won't fade, chip or peel
- Ease of Maintenance – highly resistant to scratches and wear,
cleans easily with mild detergent and water
- Aesthetics – offers a large number of gloss and color
alternatives
- Cost – lower finishing cost, lower maintenance
costs
- Health / Environmental Safety – anodized aluminum produces no dangerous by-products
– and anodized aluminum does
not harm human health or the environment
Anodize Aluminum: The Process Step by Step
Each anodic coating has unique properties, which means
selecting the best choice for the job is your first decision. Once an
anodized aluminum finish type is
decided on, there are still a number of steps you'll need to be aware of before the
actual anodizing process is done.
More information about the steps to take to prepare your parts for
the anodizing process, and obtain the high quality finished product you
need, is available at:
How to
Prepare to Anodize Aluminum Parts.
For more in-depth information about anodizing and the uses of Anodized Aluminum,
see these related topics:
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