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Nonconductivity test for anodized parts

How do you test anodized parts for non-conductivity?

Joseph Comeau
Quality Control - Boston, Massachusetts
2007

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2007

One test we do is voltage break down.
by applying certain voltage until the anodizing layer becoming conductive. if the higher voltage you need to apply, the better. Normally our product is around 1000 V/Mil.
However this test is destructive.

John Hu
- Singapore

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If all you need to know is whether or not the part is conductive (rather than how non-conductive it is), you can pick up a conductivity tester at Radio-shack for a pretty low cost. Non-anodized aluminum will conduct, anodized won't.

Or, if you want to go REALLY low tech - you can make your own tester by putting a battery and a lightbulb together in a broken circuit... complete the circuit using your piece - if the lightbulb lights up, it is conductive; if it doesn't, it isn't.

Good luck!

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA
2007

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