Anodising guide

Version 1.3 of 10th July 2018

Anodizing of aluminum? Isn't this very complicated and can be done only by specialized and therefore expensive companies? No, using appropriate tools and dyes anodising becomes fairly easy. This guide provides you with the background knowledge and shows you how to harden and embellish your aluminum pieces.

In this guide we have compiled the best of our knowledge for you. Nevertheless, of course, errors and inaccuracies may exist, which is why we can not guarantee the correctness of the instructions. Please note that some of the used chemicals are aggressive and/or toxic. In the interest of your own safety follow carefully the given informations. You act at your own risk. We are not responsible in any way for any damage caused by application of the described proceedings.

Contents

• 1  What is "anodising"?
• 2  Basics
  • 2.1  Properties of the layer
  • 2.2  Chemical reaction
  • 2.3  Structure of the layer
• 3  Industrial practice
• 4  Anodising on your own
  • 4.1  What can be anodised?
  • 4.2  What do I need?
• 5  Work steps
  • 5.1  Cleaning and surface preparation
  • 5.2  Anodising
  • 5.3  Calculation of current and duration
  • 5.4  Flushing
  • 5.5  Dyeing
• 6  Disposal of chemicals
• Summary

Our tip:
This page contains lots of text and information. The human eye has problems
to fix long lines - especially when viewing on new wide screen monitors.
Pull your browser window to a width that shows no more than 60-70 characters
per line. You will see: this text can be read significantly faster and easier.
This is the reason why e.g. daily newspapers are divided into columns.

This document is protected by copyright. It may be copied and distributed for personal use, provided it remains complete and unaltered. Any publication (such as setting the Internet) and in particular its commercial use requires our written consent.