As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases
Mr. Rogers: "Look for the Helpers. You'll always find people who are helping."

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

-----

Conductance of Gold Anodized Aluminum Chassis

I have had .060" aluminum electronic chassis anodized Gold. I use the chassis as a ground and I am trying to determine if I need to remove the anodizing where I want to connect to a solid ground point. What is the conductance of the anodized layer compared to the Aluminum? Does the anodizing act as an insulator? Do I need to remove the anodizing where I connect to ground?

Thank you,

Stephen Cohrs
Trinty Amps - Tube Amplifiers - Toronto, ON, Canada
2005

Anodizing is a very good insulator; you definitely have to remove it. Ideally you would chromate conversion coat that area rather than leave it bare.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

One possibility is to put a star washer on both sides and tighten it well. If the anodize is not too thick, it will crush thru it and give a decent ground. Can be checked with an ohm meter from bolt to an unanodized place on the part (contact point).

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2005

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: