Looking for Info on Aluminum Finishing

I'm relatively new to designing aluminum components and I'm looking for information on commonly available finishes for Aluminum. I'm looking for a web site, book or publication that can give me the performance specifications of each finish as well as show me pictures of the finished aluminum. It would also be helpful to have the relative costs of each finish. I need this info so I can effectively choose the finish for the application's functional requirements as well as meet the appearance requirements and the cost targets.

Any help you can give me would be appreciated.

It's expensive hard work to compile detailed information, Scott, so people do it for one of two reasons: to sell the information (as in a book), or to promote the finish they profit from over other finishes (as in a trade group's website). So truly unbiased info may be hard to come by on the web. But you can go to the websites of the Aluminum Anodizers Council, the Powder Coating Institute, the Chemical Coaters Association, the National Association of Surface Finishers, and other trade groups and start learning about the alternative finishes. But just as a minivan is better than a sports car for some things, and worse for others, it usually really starts with the specifics of the application.

If you can give some detail about the proposed application, I'm confident our readers can guide you. Good luck.

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

Try Alubook website-www.alu-info.dk/Html/alulib/modul/alubook40.htm
Hope it helps and good luck!

Very good website too:www.eaa.net/eaa/education/TALAT/index.htm#
Good luck and hope this helps!