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Cost of type 2 versus type 3 anodize  

January 22, 2009

I am a member of a medium sized electoplating shop in Garland, TX. We currently run type 2 anodize and we are looking at adding type 3 hard anodizing to our processing capabilities. I am working on getting together market information as to asses the sales side of the hard anodize market. What is considered reasonable as to a baseline figure as to calculate a per sq in price when quoting jobs. Can anybody give some guidance in this area. Is hard coat anodize three times type 2 pricing??

Mike Gilbert
Sales/Marketing for plating shop - Garland, TX USA

That all depends on the market and the specifications. True MIL spec type 3 is expensive because of the cooling requirement.
Next, there is nothing to prevent the current competition from lowering their prices. They can break even a lower cost than you can, in almost all cases. And, they may do it at a loss to drive you out of business.
Real MIL spec type 3 with all of the required testing and controls could easily run 10 times as much as thin type 2 that is non spec.
What you need to do is to figure out how much it will cost you do do the job and then find out what the competition charges. Then cross your fingers that they do not lower their prices.

James Watts
- FL