Anodizing: Surface Finish Overview

Anodizing strengthens and improves your aluminum parts by depositing a controlled oxide coating on the surface.

This protective coating boosts corrosion resistance and durability, and delivers a clean, long-lasting appearance.

Whether you require a natural anodized look, a colored finish, or a pre-anodizing surface treatment such as bead blasting, hardcoat, or brushing, our team guarantees a consistent, professional finish on all exposed surfaces.

Anodizing is suitable for enclosures, precision parts, and assemblies that require a balance between durability and aesthetics without adding thickness or compromising strict tolerances.

Anodizing – Specification

Metal Anodized Part

Design Considerations for Aluminum Anodizing

1. Anodizing requires the part to be suspended using a jig or rack.
   This creates small contact marks where anodizing cannot occur.
   
   
2. If certain areas cannot have jig marks, include a technical drawing clearly marking those surfaces so our team can plan the holding points.
   
   
3. Anodizing produces a non-conductive oxide layer.
   If any area of the part must remain conductive, please indicate it for masking.
   
   
4. Masking is not applied by default, since standard anodizing adds only a thin layer that does not affect most tolerances.
   
   
5. If your part has threads, tight-fit zones, grounding points, or precision mating areas, specify whether these surfaces should be masked or anodized.
   
   
6. Hardcoat anodizing creates a thicker, more durable oxide layer that can affect precision fits.
   For such cases, we typically mask threads and critical surfaces unless you request otherwise.

Anodizing Process 

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that reinforces aluminum components, enhances corrosion resistance, and provides a neat, consistent cosmetic finish.

Here’s How We Perform Anodizing at Mech Power:

1. Part mounting  

The component is firmly affixed to a rack,  allowing electrical current to flow through it during the procedure.

2. Electrolyte setup  

The part is placed in a carefully monitored acidic electrolyte solution to establish the optimal conditions for oxide formation.

3. Application of current  

An electrical current is introduced, prompting the aluminum surface to react and generate a uniform oxide layer.

4. Formation of oxide layer  

Controlled oxidation leads to the formation of a porous aluminum oxide surface, thereby enhancing durability and improving color absorption.

5. Optional dyeing  

For aesthetic purposes, the porous layer can be dyed black or in select shades of black.

6. Sealing process  

The pores are sealed to retain the color, improve corrosion resistance, and stabilize the anodized finish.

This method yields a tough, uniform anodized coating with dependable dimensional stability, making it perfect for both functional and aesthetic elements of enclosure parts.



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