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Sulfur odor from anodized aluminum parts

My company makes a piece of equipment that contains moving parts made of anodized aluminum. We've had some incidents in which the equipments seizes, discharges a fine powder, and emits a strong sulfur odor. The powder has been analyzed and determined to be from the anodizing coating, presumably rubbed off the hot fast moving parts. Customers are concerned about the odor, which I've assumed to be associated with aluminum sulphate from the coating. Does anyone know what the odor comes from and whether it is harmful?

Michael G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
semiconductor equipment supplier - Portland, Oregon, USA
2003

Is there any substance like oil, or other material/s in contact that may be equally affected by heat?
I would rather assume that the odor is least likely be from anodic coating which is mostly made of oxide of aluminum.

Ciraco Dipaloloco
- Ontario, Canada
2003

May 31, 2008

Hi, Michael. Anodized aluminum is "food safe". I agree with Ciraco that you need to look elsewhere for the sulfur odor.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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