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Letter 21098
Aluminum Anodizing and Chemical
Conversion Coating same part?
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I have a machined aluminum 6061-T651 housing which needs a
conductive coating (chromate conversion clear irridite) for
electrical purposes but also a hard anodizing to strenghten a few
large fine tapped threads. Can I mask the part and perform both
operations? I would prefer not to mask the part and perform a single
finishing operation to both harden the threads and promote
conductivity. Any suggests?
Thanks very much,
Jon Gallant
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Hard anodizing will not strengthen threads. It will increase the
wear resistance. That said, hard anodizing would not rank high on my
list for threads since there is a rotational crushing effect that I
think will cause the hard coat to not last well. If this is internal
threads, why not heli-coils? If it is external, why not electroless
nickel? But, in answer to your question, you are going to have to
mask at least once. Typical is to chromate, mask and then anodize.
The exact procedure will depend on the shop and the part. There is no
100% answer.
James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
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