(Cycles thru suppliers)

Anodizing titanium

Anodized titanium
(photo courtesy of Russamer Lab)

Letter 1265

---

We want to anodize titanium using an alkaline anodizing bath. Who can give use the formulation of a alkaline anodizing bath. We want to get a gray coating.

Any advice would be appreciated.

J.H. Pennings
TNO Institute of Industrial Technology - Netherlands

---

See AMS2488 [link is to spec at TechStreet] - the anodizing is performed in an alkaline solution of pH >= 12 (going by memory only, may be pH >13). Unlike anodizing aluminum, the colour is not uniform and not controllable (almost). Depending on the alloy (and solution?!), we are getting yellow to blue through grey appearance.
Max

Max Stein
captive metal finisher - Montreal, Québec, Canada

---

With titanium in a bath of Trisodium Phosphate [link is to product info at Amazon] you get the most beautiful color of blue imaginable. All you need to do is to immerse the part, turn on the current and voilà , bright blue. Not gray but close??

Dave Fairbourn
- Sandy, Utah

Thanks Dave. To minimize confusion, though, we need to tell the readers that there are two general types of titanium anodizing. The "alkaline anodizing" that Max speaks of is a heavy, wear-resistant, anti-galling surface for engineering applications. The acid or neutral anodizing you are describing is a very thin very colorful diffraction coloration for decorative jewelry and similar applications.

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

A true grey from TSP (Trisodium Phosphate [link is to product info at Amazon]) is not probable.

Brown, blue, silver, yellow, purple and green are possible at voltages up to 200. There are several different shades possible for each. Precise color requires precise voltage control. It anodizes nearly instantly. Surface prep makes a significant difference in the luster or look of the product. Does not need any further protection after anodize.

From 10% to 3% solutions are recommended.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

A magazine called Xtreme R/C Cars will publish an article on ti anodizing in an upcoming issue. Sorry I don't know what month, but issue 4.9 I think. I am interested in ti & alum anodizing, and would like to obtain a red color. Any info is greatly appreciated.

David Thomason
Glendale, Arizona

The color red is not possible with titanium anodizing nor is black. Apparently neither exists in the spectrum created by the oxide layer formed on the surface. The color exists only as reflected light.

Dennis Rand
- Plymouth, Massachusetts

I am anodizing a 6al-4v ti medical device blue, yellow & green. These parts are subjected to 250 F steam autoclaving for sterilization. Some of the parts after two cycles of autoclaving (40 min/cycle)are beginning to change to the next color. (yellow - magenta, blue-clear). This is only happening in a few parts but I need help into why it is happening and how to stop it. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate the help.

Jim Johnson, Sr. Design Eng.
- carlsbad, California

We can produce and reproduce stable and controllable colors for titanium anodizing. Technology is ready for licensing.

You can see shades available on our web site. Black color can be obtained also, but this is a different technology.

Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

++++++

Dear Sirs,
I am a manufacturer of Orthopedic Implants made of S.S. 316L and Ti-6AL-4V ELI. I am looking for Anodize per AMS2488 [link is to spec at TechStreet]c Type I Colors (Pink, Gold and Green).

It will of great help to me if you can tell me the procedure for it.

Thank you.

Lokesh Jokiani
- Delhi, India

++++++

I am new to the anodizing process and am having problems anodizing titanium green. The pieces are about 2 and a half inches long and are a half inch wide. When I anodize these pieces in other colors I have very little to no problems. I was wondering if this could be environmentally affected (humidity) or is this a normal problem for larger pieces.

Terry Donnalson
hobbyist - Lititz, Pennsylvania

+++++++

Alkaline Anodizing of Titanium Ti-6AL-4V. I am looking for the exact bath solution for what I have been told is a type II anodize per AMS2488 [link is to spec at TechStreet]D.

I understand that it is >/=13 pH and that the temperature is controlled to +/-2 F and that voltage is the controlled characteristic, but WHAT is the chemical?

Vicki Dominguez
medical device industry - Huntington, Indiana

June 2, 2008

Hi, Vicki. I know it's strange and you'll say "how can that be?", but . . .

- even though the alkaline anodizing process is covered by AMS spec . . .

some of the details of the alkaline anodizing process are trade secrets. You have to figure out these details for yourself, or you have to retain a consultant who will give them to you; you won't find them in the literature or in a public forum. Sorry, and admittedly it makes no sense, but there it is :-)

Regards,

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

May 2, 2008

Dear sir,
I try to anodize titanium size 1" x 4" to pink and green color by use TSP and Borax but the color not pure, for pink color will have light blue and green color will have yellow. And it not shiny like gold,purple or blue that I do the same method. What solution I have to use for high voltage anodized and more method I should do?
Thank you and very best regards.
Thita M. ( from Thailand )

Thitaree Manosittisak
- Bangkok, Thailand

December 7, 2008

We can do titanium anodising Green, Blue, Purple, silver, etc.
But yellow and black is nitride treatment, not anodising.
We need help of anodising red for titanium, as we now have pink color, but not red.

Fun Hsu
titanium - Ningbo, China

February 12, 2009

Hi,

I wonder if someone could instruct me as to what solution is best to achieve an anodized silver finish on 6AL-4AV grade 5 titanium.

I would also appreciate information on setup and procedure i.e. precleaning procedure, anode/cathode ratio, suitable materials for cathode and jigs. I also need information on voltage/time and amps.

I would be very appreciate if anyone could provide this kind of information.

Simon Metaxas
- Birmingham, west midlands, United Kingdom opt

August 17, 2009

we r doing golden, blue, pink, green, and yellow -- but how to do black colour?

manoj pavasiya
- bombay