What Is Anodized Aluminum?
Anodizing is a method of processing aluminum alloy, making it ideal for a more specific and versatile range of projects. You can purchase raw, colored, anodized and coated aluminum sheets in standard 4x8—or in a variety of sizes and varieties that best meet your needs. Whether you require anodized metal sheeting depends entirely on what you plan to produce.
How Is Aluminum Anodized?
Anodizing aluminum can be achieved in a couple of different ways, but the most common method involves using an acidic solution. The acid is exposed to a direct current of electricity, which creates a chemical reaction that causes the production of hydrogen and oxygen that ultimately creates the anodized aluminum oxide layer. While the chemical process of anodizing sounds complex, it is a clean process.
Why Choose Anodized Aluminum For Your Next Project?
There are serval projects that will either function better, or simply look more visually appealing after being anodized. For example, paint and dye will stick better to sheets that have first been anodized—because the process makes the metal more porous and receptive to color and coating. Even if left a standard grey, the anodizing process makes the metal stronger, more durable, and more resistant to scratching and corrosion. Anodizing also prevents peeling and cracking, and makes it easier to apply adhesives and lubricants required to fit and secure your metal elements to other product materials. When looking at aluminum sheet pricing for outdoor projects, anodized will be more weather resistant.
Anodizing is the finish of choice for most products where the aluminum elements are exposed—such as:
Are There Any Downsides To Anodizing?
Anodized aluminum is not the best option for every project. For example, thermal conductivity, electric conductivity, and flexibility are all greatly reduced when anodized. It is also far more challenging to cut and shape, however once hand cut, die-cut, or die-printed, durability is far more impressive than raw aluminum.
Alternatives To Anodized
Raw aluminum can be durable, you simply have to find a retailer of sheets, bars, tubes, and coils that come in a variety of gauges, measurements, thickness, and finishes. If you are developing a new product, you may need to experiment with a few different options before you identify the one that is the most effective.
When it comes to this versatile metal, the options are endless. As a 100% recyclable metal, that is inexpensive to produce—the demand for aluminum of all types continues to increase globally. From arts and crafts, home décor, transportation, electronics, and a growing list of industrial applications—there isn’t anything you can’t do with aluminum.
How Is Aluminum Anodized?
Anodizing aluminum can be achieved in a couple of different ways, but the most common method involves using an acidic solution. The acid is exposed to a direct current of electricity, which creates a chemical reaction that causes the production of hydrogen and oxygen that ultimately creates the anodized aluminum oxide layer. While the chemical process of anodizing sounds complex, it is a clean process.
Why Choose Anodized Aluminum For Your Next Project?
There are serval projects that will either function better, or simply look more visually appealing after being anodized. For example, paint and dye will stick better to sheets that have first been anodized—because the process makes the metal more porous and receptive to color and coating. Even if left a standard grey, the anodizing process makes the metal stronger, more durable, and more resistant to scratching and corrosion. Anodizing also prevents peeling and cracking, and makes it easier to apply adhesives and lubricants required to fit and secure your metal elements to other product materials. When looking at aluminum sheet pricing for outdoor projects, anodized will be more weather resistant.
Anodizing is the finish of choice for most products where the aluminum elements are exposed—such as:
- Nameplates
- Carabiner clips
- Sporting equipment
- Window frames
- Furniture
- Transportation parts
- Kitchenware and electronics
- Silk screen and digital printing on metal
Are There Any Downsides To Anodizing?
Anodized aluminum is not the best option for every project. For example, thermal conductivity, electric conductivity, and flexibility are all greatly reduced when anodized. It is also far more challenging to cut and shape, however once hand cut, die-cut, or die-printed, durability is far more impressive than raw aluminum.
Alternatives To Anodized
Raw aluminum can be durable, you simply have to find a retailer of sheets, bars, tubes, and coils that come in a variety of gauges, measurements, thickness, and finishes. If you are developing a new product, you may need to experiment with a few different options before you identify the one that is the most effective.
When it comes to this versatile metal, the options are endless. As a 100% recyclable metal, that is inexpensive to produce—the demand for aluminum of all types continues to increase globally. From arts and crafts, home décor, transportation, electronics, and a growing list of industrial applications—there isn’t anything you can’t do with aluminum.
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