Summary for anodized stainless steel coil Discussion
Anodized stainless steel coil is the core question here, and the answers clarify that stainless steel usually does not “anodize” in the same way aluminum does. Leo Herringon says the normal way to create an oxide layer on stainless is passivization, not anodizing. However, a later reply notes that it is not fully accurate to say stainless steel cannot be electrolytically anodized at all: Prismatic Stainless Steel reportedly does color anodizing of stainless steel, and Russamer Lab has done color anodizing on at least small parts. The responder also points to color-anodized stainless steel buildings in Europe as evidence that some form of coil-scale anodizing may exist, though no specific coil supplier is confirmed in the thread. The practical takeaway is that passivation is the standard stainless treatment, while true color anodizing appears possible but specialized and not clearly established for coil form.
Q. I would like to know if there is anyone capable of anodizing stainless steel coil. I am aware of a number of companies who anodize aluminum coil.
Mike Mooney
manufacturer of anodized aluminum – Streamwood, Illinois, USA
January 14, 2009
A. Stainless steel does not really anodize. The process for producing a oxide layer on stainless is called passivization.
Leo Herringon
consultant – Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
February 4, 2009
A. Hi. Although Leo has described the predominant method for oxidizing stainless steel, it isn’t accurate to imply that stainless steel cannot be electrolytically anodized. Prismatic Stainless Steel [from B&M Finishers, a finishing.com supporting advertiser] does color anodizing of stainless steel, although I don’t know whether they do it in coil form. And Russamer Lab [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] has done color anodizing of at least small components. There are color anodized stainless steel buildings in Europe so I assume someone is doing coil anodizing.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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