The Anodising Process

Anodising is an electro-chemical process used to create a protective film of aluminium oxide on the surface of aluminium profiles. In addition to the formation of a protective film, a wide range of colours and shades can be obtained on the surface of aluminium profiles through the process of electro-colouring.

Finishes
Satin, linished or brushed are all pre-treatments and determine the appearance of the end finish. Anodising is transparent.

Colour
Colour when required is incorporated in the surface either during the actual anodising or absorbed in the coat after anodising, when sealed.

Hardness
Since the anodising is created as an oxide from the aluminium it cannot crack or peel. Being integral. This oxide is the same material as sapphires and results in a hard, wear resistance surface. Anodising as with any other finish does not increase the hardness of the aluminium.

Corrosion Resistance
Thickness from 10 microns to 25 microns are available, giving the required degree of wear and corrosion resistance from internal to severe external applications. The accompanying test sheets illustrate results being well in excess of minimum requirements. Bronze and black in these tests were 15 microns, the balance 10 microns. All at 3,000 hours testing.

Sealing & Silicon Adhesion
An essential factor in corrosion resistance and colour durability is through sealing. This quality is reflected in corrosion and silicon adhesion tests. Clear anodising, no colour, and black anodising, the darkest colour, were both tested for silicon adhesion and showed 100% adhesion before and after water immersion.