HOME FAQs BOOKS JOBS: Help Wanted Suggestions you are here: Hotline/Forum => Letter 53970
Bead blasting on hardcoat anodizing
How does bead blasting affect the performance of hardcoat anodizing? If we do or do not bead blast the aluminum will it have an affect on the anodizing properties? We do it for surface cosmetics, but have improved the machining and are now wanting to stop the anodizing.
Scott Elstenquality - pierceton, Indiana, USA
^- Privately contact this inquirer -^
December 31, 2009
Pretty vague question, as there are many applications for hard coat. For wear/friction resistance, I would think bead blasting prior to anodizing would be very detrimental. For corrosion resistance, not very detrimental, maybe a slight impact depending on processing parameters.
|
Marc Green anodizer - Boise, Idaho |
January 4, 2010
Assuming you do not mean ON hardcoat, but on bare aluminum as surface preparation, then. (1) anodizing on a FLAT surface builds vertically, anodizing on a wavy surface as from manual blasting, builds with the vertical structure skewed and less likely to pass abrasion testing. (2) The media must be absolutely designated "aluminum only",if some guy on the night shift runs brass or steel, then you will imbed copper and/or iron into the soft "Kleenex-like" aluminum.
|
Robert H Probert Robert H Probert Technical Services  Garner, North Carolina
|