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Hard anodizing formula query

2004

You are being contacted by two members of staff at an engineering company specializing in the construction of a variety of components from mass spectrometer housing to bike suspension, with both aluminum and steel. We have a small Lab which is used for various metal finishing such as anodizing, alochroming and electropolishing.

Could you please help me and the staff at my company with a query upon the process of Hard and anodizing of aluminum with use of 10% conc sulfuric Acid. What we require to know is the common link or set formula for the variables of "Ramp up" (Gain) of current, the Amperage applied, Time, surface area and Temperature.

We offer our customers both light silver anodizing to the other end of the scope of the Dark Black anodizing. We can presently achieve both ends of the scope but we have no uniform rule of thumb to govern how to apply the different variables when dealing with a new job, it's all hit and miss. Please could you offer us any advice upon this matter.

JON DAVIES
METAL FINISHER - Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

One of the best experts on aluminum is in your country. A Mr. Sheasby. He is the author of at least two books and numerous papers on the subject. I am not in love with his writing style and find the book by Wernik, Sheasby and Pinner to be the better of the group that I have seen.(set of two and quite expensive) The last I knew, he was still quite active, but older than I am. (twice retired)

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004