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MATERIALS THAT CAN BE ANODIZED

WHAT MATERIALS BESIDES ALUMINUM CAN BE ANODIZED?

DOUG HORN
- SMITHTOWN,N.Y.

Magnesium, stainless steel, titanium, and zinc are four that I can think of offhand. Note, though, we're speaking of the ability of a material to form a useful oxide skin when anodically oxidized under the right conditions--we're not talking about materials that you can just drop into a tank designed for anodizing of aluminum. Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

How can I anodise magnesium alloys? Are there any approved international processes? Are they all aerospace approved?

Peter Bennett
- Birmingham, England

March 1, 2009

Hi, Peter. We have a pair of FAQs about surface finishing of magnesium at finishing.com/faqs/magnesium.html and finishing.com/faqs/magnesium2.html. It's at least a starting point.

Then see if you can find an old copy of Dow's Magnesium Finishing Handbook. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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