WHAT IS ANODISING?
Anodising is a process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts. It increases resistance to corrosion and wear, and during the process the anodised aluminium surface can be dyed many different colours.
Anodising is an environmentally safe electrochemical process that converts the aluminium metal surface into a porous aluminium oxide, ultimately creating an end product whose finish is more durable and weather-resistant.
This beneficial result combined with the array of aesthetically pleasing colour finishes opens up exciting possibilities for companies who anodise products and components in commercial, industrial, and consumer applications, including jewellery and art.
ADVANTAGES OF ANODISING
COST
Anodising in general, is less expensive than painted coatings. When the lifespan of the coating is taken into account it proves to be a far cheaper option over the longer term.
HARDNESS
Anodising is hard. Anodising is better for aluminium in high traffic areas where the coating is subject to physcial abuse and abrasive cleaners.
INTEGRITY
Anodising cannot peel, chip flake or blister. The coating is actually part of the metal.
TRUE METALLIC APPEARANCE
Anodising gives aluminium a deeper, richer metallic appearance than is possible with organic coatings. This is because an anodised coating is translucent and one can see the base metal underneath the coating.
ENHANCED UV RESISTANCE
Anodising displays excellent long term resistance to sunlight.
MAINTENANCE
Anodising can be renewed by cleaning and is cheaper to maintain over the lifetime of a building. Anodising can often be restored when it looks like it has failed many projects after twenty years of neglect have been brought back to as-new condition through cleaning.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Anodising is compatible with today's environmental concerns. The chemicals from anodising can be used by local waste water authority's treatment facilities. The aluminium sulphate from anodising plants' effluent actually improves the solids settling efficiency of some waste water treatment plants. Anodising emits no ozone producing solvents (VOCs), and there are no heavy metals involved in the process.
COLOUR DYE TECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
The anodised aluminium is immersed in a tank full of dye and the dye absorbs into the pores of the anodised coating until the desired shade is obtained.
SCREEN PRINT DYES
Coloured dyes can be screen printed into the aluminium. Please contact us for our list of colours.
