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ANODIZING MIL SPEC QUESTION

WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH HAVING OUR PARTS MADE FROM 7075-T6 AND 6061-T6 ANODIZED, CLEAR HARD, MIL-A-8625F, TYPE III, CLASS 1 AND BLACK, MIL-A-8625 / MIL-PRF-8625 [on DLA]F, TYPE II, CLASS 2. A CUSTOMER HAS SUPPLIED A PART DRAWING, MAT'L 6061-T6, WITH A FINISH OF CLEAR HARD ANODIZE PER MIL-Y-8625F, TYPE III, CLASS 1. I HAVE NOT FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE "Y" IN THE MIL SPEC! CAN SOMEONE HELP..

ROB SPENCER
- CONCORD, California, USA
2000

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I believe it is a misprint. MIL-A-8625F is the most recent and widely used military specification for anodizing. This spec also states that Type III hardcoat must be 2 mils +-20%unless otherwise specified (ref. para. 3.7.2.1). I have yet to see a 2 mil hardcoat that meets the required minimum abrasive wear test requirement (para. 3.7.2.2) that can reasonably be called "clear". The normal color of a 2 mil hardcoat on 6061-T6 is usually quite dark.

Chris Jurey, Past-President IHAA
Luke Engineering & Mfg. Co. Inc.

Wadsworth, Ohio

2000