Letter 31008

Selective conductive areas in anodized extrusion  

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I need some localised areas they remain conductive in an aluminum extrusion after anodizing. Can I press-fit a "washer" into the extrusion that is plated with a material that is inert to the anodizing process in order to leave a conductive contact area within the anodized part?

Mike Stickelman
Product Design - Dayton, Ohio, USA

Yes, that's one way. Tapes, waxes, dipping compounds, caps and plugs are all possibilities. However, you may have a corrosion issue in that area, and unprotected aluminum will oxidize anyway, rendering it non-conductive. So the real answer is that you probably need to either chromate conversion coat or electroless nickel plate that area.

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

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