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-----Bright finishing structural aluminum for human powered vehicle
1999
Help! I'm to start a project in the near future that is a human powered vehicle but not a bike.
The frame will be made from two stressed members so strength is important. Material is box section Al tubing, TIG welded. We would like a bright, shining finish that can be bare metal looking or colored. My research has only confused me. It appears sulfuric anodize will weaken the frame but chromic anodizing, which does not cause as great a loss in strength, is a dull grey finish. I've even looked into nickel plating but don't know what kind to use.
The largest piece is 5 ft. long and the vehicle will be tested near the coast in a salt air environment.
- Gainesville, Florida
Yes, sulfuric acid anodizing can cause fatigue issues. Electrophoretic lacquer (e coating) will produce a thin, hard, corrosion resistant coating is just about any color you wish. GOOD LUCK.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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February 19, 2009
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