Anodized aluminum is widely used in a variety of products, including industrial machinery and domestic goods. Let’s first examine what anodized aluminum is and the reasons behind its high demand. This blog clearly provides information regarding the nature of anodized aluminum, its benefits, the anodizing method, and its applications.
Understanding Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight, highly reactive member of the Earth’s crust material that has the ability to resist corrosion. With a density of just 7.87 grams per cubic centimeter, aluminum is ranked third in abundance and is normally used because of its strength as a metal that is light and resistant to rusting. Although, a material like aluminum is highly ductile or pliable and malleable but at the same time aluminum-metal by its original form can be somewhat brittle or in other words it can be laid down that can be easily worn out. This is the concept where anodizing comes into the picture.
Wat is anodiseren?
Anodizing is an electrochemical procedure that builds a protective oxide layer from the exterior of the metal by anodizing it and thus is corrosion resistant. Despite the fact that it is an aluminum metal, the surface has a thin layer of aluminum oxide acting as a protective layer. It is a layer that is even much harder than the component metal and is sealed directly on to the aluminum for effective rust protection as well as for coloring that can be endlessly renewed.
The Anodizing Process
The electrolytic anodizing also has several stages namely:
- Schoonmaak:To eliminate impurities such as dirt and grease, the aluminum piece is washed. This step helps in achieving uniformity and efficacy of the anodizing process because it checks that it is properly done.
- Voorbehandeling: Depending on the type of finish to be achieved, the aluminum is subjected to brightness treatment, dyeing or coloration.
- Aluminum Anodizing:The aluminum product is immersed in an acid electrolytes solution and an electrical current is then passed through it. This current makes the surface to develop a layer of oxidation known as the aluminum oxide layer which is protective in nature.
- Afdichting:In order to close all the pore of the oxide layer, sealing is done through immersing the surface layer in water or through steam. This sealing step helps to further improve the corrosion protection and inhibits any further oxidation process.
Benefits of Anodized Aluminum
There are several unique features that make anodized aluminum good to use in many applications:
Enhanced Durability
The anodized layer also strengthens the aluminum; makes it less susceptible to scratching and other everyday wears. This is a great advantage where items are often in contact with hands or in extreme conditions.
Corrosiebestendigheid
Due to its protective nature of the aluminum oxide layer anodized aluminum is suitable to be used in conditions such as marine or industrial.
Aesthetic Versatility
Anodizing also enables a wide variety of colors and finishes to be achieved because some of the pellets of alumina are transparent and others are opaque. It is noteworthy that dye penetration is possible in the oxide layer, and it is possible to have a varicolored one, which satisfies the design or branding.
Lichtgewicht
Anodization does not add much weight to the aluminum and is therefore used in many applications where the weight has to be kept very low such as in aircrafts, cars among others.
Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly
Anodizing is a friendly environment process as far as other finishing processes are concerned. The kind of materials employed are not poisonous mostly and the process lean, involving little or no pollutive discharge.
Applications of Anodized Aluminum
Anodized aluminum is very common in many industries because of its benefits that are associated with it.
Some common applications include:
Architectural and Construction
The applications of anodized aluminum are found at the exterior aspects of buildings such as window frames, curtain walls, roofing, and other construction usages.
Consumentenelektronica
Some time we see consumer electronics have anodized aluminum in their surface because of its aesthetic look and its endurance. Indeed, portable computing devices like laptop, smartphones and tablets would be more benefited from this type of material due to its light weight and robustness.
Auto-industrie
Anodized aluminum is commonly applied in the auto industry to utilize for such things as trim, wheel and bodying panels. It is light weight consistent with its weight required for improved fuel efficiency as well as able to give long lasting service.
Lucht- en ruimtevaart
Anodized aluminum is utilized in airplane parts; every component used in an aircraft needs to be strong and have a low weight-to-corrosion resistance.
Sports Equipment
Since anodized aluminum is lightweight and has a high degree of corrosion resistance, it is commonly used by makers of various kinds of sports equipment. Some products that can be made from this material are bicycles, golf clubs, and ski poles since it is strong and attractive.
Kitchenware and Appliances
It is also used in kitchen utensils and other appliances because it does not easily corrode as it has a non-stick surface when anodized. It is used in things which come into contact with food such as cookery utensils and appliances that make direct contact with food stuffs.