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Aluminium for watch cases

Q. Why generally aluminium is not chosen as the base metal for watch case manufacturing compared to brass? Can we do plating by conventional electro plating route or PVD on aluminium cases other than anodizing ? If so which grade of aluminium is suitable for this?

Ramasubramanian Sankaran
plating shop employee - Bangalore
January 22, 2009

A. Aluminum is not suitable for contact to skin since it is readily attacked by sweat (salt) and many other substances in our environment. In order to eliminate this problem, a suitable coating would have to be applied to the aluminum. Since aluminum is difficult to coat properly and the available coatings would have to be somewhat thick and most surely expensive, another metal like brass or stainless steel is normally selected.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
January 30, 2009

A. Actually anodizing has been used extensively in direct and continuous skin contact. Years ago eyeglass frames were commonly anodized.

Leo Herringon
consultant - Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
February 3, 2009

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