Summary for anodizing dye Discussion
Seeking anodizing dye, the thread explains that aluminum anodizing uses an acidic bath and electrical current to form an oxide layer, after which the part can be dyed. For readers new to the process, the page points to an intro on aluminum anodizing. The main answer, from Ted Mooney, P.E., is that professional anodizing dyes are readily available from vendors that specialize in them, with examples including Clariant, U.S. Specialty Color, and Eaglite Chemical. He adds that for a very small, non-critical hobby project, hobbyists sometimes use RIT dye and report that it can work as a substitute. The discussion therefore distinguishes between proper commercial anodizing dyes for reliable results and fabric dye as a practical but limited hobbyist option. The page also references Robert Probert’s book on chromating, anodizing, and hardcoating as a useful resource.
Quickstart:
In the anodizing of aluminum the components are immersed into a tank of acidic solution and connected to the anodic (+) positive pole of a power supply. The current separates some of the water in the solution into positively charged hydrogen and negatively charged oxygen. The oxygen is attracted to the positively charged components and converts the skin of the aluminum to aluminum oxides.
Readers new to anodizing of aluminum may wish to view our “Intro to Aluminum Anodizing“.
Although fabric dyes are sometimes used by hobbyists, professional anodizing dyes are readily available. Please read on …
adv.
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RFQ. Hi. I am looking for an small qty of black dye (1 lb or less) to color hard-anodized aluminum.
John G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
– COSTA MESA, California USA
2000
Ed. note: This RFQ is outdated, but technical replies are welcome, and readers are encouraged to post their own RFQs. But no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?).
Aluminum How-To
“Chromating – Anodizing – Hardcoating”
by Robert Probert
You’ll love this book. Finishing.com has sold a thousand copies without a return request 🙂
A. There are vendors who specialize in anodizing dyes–for example:
• Clariant [Charlotte, NC],
• U.S. Specialty Color [Monroe, NC], and
• Eaglite Chemical [Chicago, IL]
… but if this is a very small and non-critical hobbyist project, hobbyists tell us that RIT dye ⇦ on
eBay
or
Rit Dye [affil link] will fill the need.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
A. I am old school, If you want it done right, use a good product, not one that is “good enough to get bye”. Clariant now sells in 1 lb quantities. Check out EWDC Anodizing Services ⇩ [Roanoke, VA], they used to sell in 2 oz quantities for artists. They repackage Clariant dyes. They have an excellent black. The smaller the quantity, the higher the price per pound, a trade off .
James Watts
– Navarre, Florida
Ed. update: The former EWDC Anodizing Services is now Global Metal Finishing [a finishing.com supporting advertiser]
Excellent advice, James, thanks!
I was just so familiar with hobbyists complaining that the suppliers to the industry won’t sell to them that I assumed John would not be able to buy from them in small quantity. Very happy to learn that the situation is different when it comes to anodizing dye 🙂
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.