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Matte White Anodizing- Is it possible?
I have an aluminum game board that I want to anodize matte white. I have been told this is impossible, and am looking for another matte, white finish for the project that doesn't thickly overcoat the surface. Powder coating is too shiny/or textural, and obscures the crispness of the surface too much. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be much appreciated. I would also be interested in a silver-white matte metal surface if this was the only solution.
Thanks,
Amy B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Palo Alto, California, USA
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Yes, White Anodizing is possible. The color is opaque white ceramic coating that is much harder than Hard Anodizing. The only problem with this coating is that unlike conventional Hard Anodizing, the coating is not self sealing, and white color cannot be preserved if sealed in any of the commercially available sealing solutions. The way to overcome this problem is to avoid aqueous hydrated solutions, since even small amounts of water will turn this coating into gray color. If the color is not objectionable, Sealing this coating in conventional Nickel Acetate Solution will result in glossy gray finish, with excellent hardness, abrasion and corrosion resistance, that cannot be matched by any conventional Anodizing techniques. Silvery white coatings are much easier to obtain, and numerous techniques are available. Consult your Vendors.
Alex Etemovich- Los Angeles, California, USA
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Ed. note: other letters which talk about white anodizing include
11600,
39842,
41596 and
47306.
October 26, 2010
Would you mind providing more specifics about this process and the other ones that you are referring to?
Ivan Dominguez- Paterson, New Jersey USA
October 26, 2010
Hi, Ivan. Alex has revealed quite a bit, and we've pointed you to four other discussion threads about white anodizing, one of which presents a 23-page pdf about a white anodizing method. Simply asking for "more" information is very unlikely to garner a response. Please try to describe your situation (are you a consumer, a product designer, an OEM, an anodizing shop employee?), what kind of components you are talking about (rivets, extrusions, castings, machine parts, RVs), the environmental situation (interior use, exterior exposure?), or pose a specific question and people may be able to help you with it. Thanks.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |