How It Benefits Aluminum Parts With Hard Anodizing Coating?
Aluminum alloys entirely depend on the aluminum model. Hence, they are soft metals with varying kinds of alloys. Due to their lightweights, aluminum alloys are thus great to use in machining. On the downside, some mechanical parts require high strength. This factor goes against the soft nature of aluminum metal. That’s why we use a hard anodizing coating to strengthen the aluminum metal. The process improves the hardness and corrosion resistance. We can even control the anodizing process to get any desired effect. Thus, at Creatingway, we use hard anodizing to improve aluminum alloy to make mechanical parts.
What Is Hard Anodizing Finishing？
Hard coat anodizing is a surface finish. We use organic acids in an electrolytic cell to create thin aluminum oxide films. Thus, the hard-anodizing process is better than the film process method. We apply the whole sealing process if corrosion resistance is necessary. But then again, it reduces wear and corrosion resistance.
The Thickness of Hard Anodized？
A hard-anodized film may range from 25um to 150um in thickness. The optimum thickness ranges from 50um to 80um. However, some machine parts need a lesser thickness of 25um. For instance, spirals and spline gear. Parts that need good insulation or wear resistance benefit from a film thickness of 50um. A thickness of 125um or more is great for special applications. Thus, the thicker the anodizing film, the rougher the film surface and lower the outer microhardness.
How is Hard Anodizing Change Aluminum Parts?
The anodizing film is a layer of an insulating film. An increase in film thickness of the anodizing treatment improves wear resistance and destructive voltage(2000V). However, the hardness does not change. Buff finishing aids in improving the surface gloss.
We can make a hard-anodizing film thickness of 25-35um. This process we apply in a series of aluminum of 2000, 5000, 7000. A common application is in components of the aerospace industry. Aluminum material models determine the hard-anodizing film hardness.
What’s The Difference Between Hard Anodized and Standard Anodized?
Thickness and Appearance
The layer thickness clearly distinguishes hard anodized from standard anodized. Hard anodized aluminum has a thicker layer than regular anodized. Thus, this difference gives a hard-anodized outer layer with higher scraped spot opposition. Also, hard-anodized has a uniform layer when we compare it to standard anodized aluminum.
Fixation
The step is important to standard anodized aluminum. Usually, small pores form on regular aluminum. The pores need fixing to get better results. But, hard-anodized aluminum has a thicker oxide layer, improving the part’s wear resistance.
Application
Standard anodized aluminum works for parts used in aviation, engineering, and car industries. However, we apply hard anodized on parts that don’t compromise on wear safety. For instance, cookware, skillet, and cylinders.
Processing Methods of Hard Anodizing Coating
Hard anodic oxidation electrolysis methods are of many kinds. For example, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, propylene glycol, and inorganic acids. We divide the power supply into DC, AC, or AC/DC. Other forms are superposition, pulse, and superimposed pulse power supply. Below are types of hard anodizing widely used.
- Sulfuric acid hard anodizing method
- Oxalic acid hard anodizing method
- Mixed acid type hard anodizing
- The sulfuric acid hard anodizing method is the most widely used method
What Are The Advantages of Hard Anodizing Coating?
Resistance
Metals easily corrode when exposed to the atmosphere. Thus, we recommend a suitable insulation film layer to raise corrosion resistance. The base metal combines firmly due to the good insulation of the hard anodize.
A good replacement
Hard anodizing is a good replacement for traditional hard chrome plating. This is due to:
- low cost
- firm film bonding
- suitable treatment of plating solution
- clean waste solution
Hard anodizing thus help an established industry reduce product weights and maintain environmental friendliness.
What Are The Five Tips to Improve Hard Anodizing Coating?
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Surface Roughness
The surface roughness of parts changes after hard anodizing. For instance, parts with a rougher surface become smoother after hard anodizing treatment. However, parts with a rough surface may become rougher. The degree of reduction varies between grade 1 and grade 2.
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Fixture Design
Hard anodized parts need to endure high currents and current during the oxidation process. So we have to place the parts carefully to each other. This need avoids forming burn marks on the contact parts. In addition, another solution is suitable designs and special fixtures for parts with different shapes and unique needs.
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Partial Protection
Some part designs need to achieve regularly anodized and hard anodized. Often, we do regular anodizing first, then hard anodizing. Part surfaces that need regular anodizing get partial protection through insulation. A spray gun or brush applies a thin layer of Nitrocellulose adhesive on these surfaces. We apply the coat evenly to achieve the best results. Also, the coat dries at a low temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
In conclusion, In extreme conditions, metal parts are prone to friction. Aluminum hard anodizing aids in surface corrosion resistance and wearing. We achieve this feature by passing electrical charges till the holes exceed 10um or more. Without a doubt, aluminum parts benefit greatly from hard anodizing.
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