Aluminum alloys are anodised to increase corrosion resistance, improve lubrication or adhesion, and provide decorative finishes (colour dyeing). Anodising is an electrochemical process that creates an aluminium oxide Al2O3 film on the surface that is uniform, denser and much harder than natural oxidation. Aluminium converts rather than deposits so 50% of the anodic film ingresses below the original surface and 50% above. The resulting anodised film is electrically non-conductive and resistant to wear, widely used in aerospace, automotive, defence and medical applications.
See our comprehensive guide to Aluminium anodising.
To control precision tolerances, a thin 0.5 – 3µm film is generated with chromic acid anodising and applied in the aerospace industry for corrosion protection and on flight-critical aluminium components that get subjected to high stresses such as landing gear. Type 1 Chromic Acid Anodising works best on aluminium with few alloying elements and accepts primers well. Unsealed chromic anodising has a light grey silk texture used as a key for primers, paints and adhesives.
Treatment specifications
Tank size: 2500x860mm
• Def Stan 03-24/3 (was Def 151/2)
• Def Stan 21-5/2-2
• MIL-A-8625 Type 1
• MIL-STD-171 7.1.1
• TS 112 D1
• JP 213 Method 2
• ASTM B580 Type G
• AIM Altitude Spec 2-02
• BS 1615
The sulphuric acid anodise process films range from 1.8 – 25µm with the thicker coating giving a greater corrosion resistance. The 'silver' finish can be colour dyed providing a recommended surface coating of 10-15µm is applied. The porous nature of sulphuric acid films prior to sealing is used to particular advantage in the production of coloured surface finishes on aluminium and its alloys. The porous aluminium oxide absorbs dyes well, and subsequent sealing helps to prevent colour loss. Although reasonably colour fast they may bleach under prolonged direct sunlight. The sulphuric acid process is the most common method for anodising colours such as red, blue, green, purple, orange, copper, gold, grey, black and clear.
Treatment specifications
Tank size: 2800x860mm
• ISO 7599 (replaces BS 1615 and BS EN 12373-1)
• AMS 03_25 / Def Stan 03-25 (replaces Def 151 Type 1, NWS 1005/2-1 and NES 1005/2-1)
• MIL-A-8625 Type 2 (MIL-A-8625 Type II)
• MIL-STD-171 7.2.1 and 7.2.2
• Def Stan 21-5 2-1
• JP 213 Method 1
• JP 217
• TS112 F3 + D2
• DS26.00 F3 + D2
• P&G STD 41-013
• ASTM B580 Types B, C, D, E and F
• AMS 2471
• AIM Altitude Spec 2-01 & 2-09
The strongest possible finish. Similar to sulphuric anodising, hard anodising is to do with producing a thicker oxide layer (20 – 70µm, up to 100µm possible on some aluminium alloys) and so increasing the corrosion and wear resistance, compared to standard sulphuric anodising. The higher the thickness, the higher corrosion resistance for aggressive environments. Hard anodising can be coloured by dyeing but will be more dull and greyish in finish because of the thickness.
Treatment specifications
Tank size: 1600 x 860mm
• ISO 10074 (replaces Def Stan 03-26, NES1005/2-3, Def 151 Type 3 and BS 5599)
• MIL-A-8625 Type III
• Def Stan 21-5 2-3
• JP250
• ASTM B580 Type A
• AIM Altitude Spec 2-03/ 2-11/ 2-12 (PRIME)