Anodizing aluminum at home with your own hands

Each of us are faced with this definition, as the anodizing, which applies in particular to aluminum products. This metal or its alloys are well suited for making various handcrafted items that are many home craftsmen. The metal is lightweight, has high strength and easily processed. But what is most valuable, it is resistant to corrosion. Many craftsmen spend anodizing aluminum at home.

But for what it is, because the material itself is quite durable and looks good? However, despite all the advantages, it also has weaknesses. And its main disadvantage – interaction with air, resulting in the oxidation reaction. This leads to the formation of plaque, which significantly complicates the coating products. Besides the appearance of aluminium is far from perfect. For this reason, the aluminum is subjected to anodizing.

What is anodizing?

According to the Standards, anodizing the anode is called oxidation. The main result of the electrochemical process of anodizing of aluminium becomes more durable oxide coating.

The fact that during the oxidation of the metal on its surface forms a protective film that is easily damaged. The whole point of anodizing is to strengthen this film, and not applied to any coating that usually occurs during the plating or galvanizing of products. The film is formed from aluminum.

The Process is very similar to other technology – the blueing of metals by oxidation. Anodizing affects not only products of aluminium, magnesium and titanium is also optionally subjected to a protective treatment.

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The Need for anodizing and its methods

That can give anodizing aluminum at home metal? Especially the ability to resist corrosion will increase significantly. More durable oxide protective film will keep for a very long time and will not flake.

In Addition there are a number of advantages that makes the technology of anodic oxidation.

• Smoothes the surface of aluminum products, that is, hides some of the defects (scratches and damage point of the character, chips, strips) and gives the homogeneity of the metal.
• Paint a better hold on this metal by acquiring a matte surface.
• Anodized aluminum profiles have improved protective properties.
• Color anodized aluminum Gives the metal more attractive traits.
• Large thickness of the protective film.
• The Ability to simulate different – silver, gold, pearls and more.

As for the aniline dyes, there are many options. In addition, the anodizing may be performed in different ways:

• Cold;
• Solid;
• Colour.

Let us Examine them below.

Cold anodizing

At home, often using cold methods of anodizing aluminum. Many companies that offer services in this area are also mostly spetsializiruyutsya on this method. Operating temperature range is from -10 to +10 degrees, from-for what the technique is called cold.

Among the advantages of anodizing aluminum at home this way you can allocate more of a thick protective coating that increases resistance to corrosion.

Only processed products processed organic hard colorful materials. Although the color of the metal will gain in any case, the shade can be olive, gray or black.

Hard anodized

The Result of hard anodic oxidation is obtaining particularly durable protective film. Largely due to this, this technology is successfully used in a great masshtabah:

• Promyshlennosti;
• Aviastroenie;
• Avtomobilestroenie;
• Stroitelstva.

Feature hard-coat anodizing of aluminium is the use of several electrolytes. In addition to using sulfuric acid is involved and a number of other analogues: oxalic, sulphuric, citric, tartaric and boric. And this is during only one process in which the current density gradually increases.

The Strength of the protective coating increases due to structural changes.

Color anodizing

The Essence of this method is to change the color of the metal. It is possible to distinguish 4 basic techniques:

1. Adsorption – articles are immersed in a special bath or in the dye solution, heated to the required temperature.
2. Electrolytic (black anodized aluminum) – originally obtained transparent film, and then the dipping of aluminum products in the acidic salt solution. In the construction of a widespread black color, but you can get a slightly bronze tint.
3. Interference – the technique is similar to the electrolytic, but it creates a special reflective layer, whereby a color palette much more.
4. Integral – the essence of this method consists in mixing of the electrolyte and organic salt.

Asyou can understand color anodic oxidation allows you to purchase a new shade of color, depending on preference.

Home technology

In industry, the anodising of metals is performed with the participation of sulfuric acid, but to carry out anodizing aluminum at home with its use highly undesirable to force the allocation of a large amount of gas. It is necessary only to form the slightest spark, and then not to avoid unfortunate consequences. The technique itself remains unchanged, but instead of acid used in soda.

But first is to prepare “equipment”

• A few tanks;
• Transaction;
• Battery or a rectifier (power source);
• Rheostat;
• Ammeter.

Directly for the process need is aluminum tanks. Two other needs for the preparation of solutions, which are useful products made of glass or plastic.

Preparation of alternative electrolyte

For the preparation of solutions for anodizing of aluminum with your hands (soda and salt) need only warm distilled water. Components for mixing is kept in the ratio of 1 to 9 (of soda or salt-water).

The Solutions are well mixed, after which they must stand. And after a while they need to pour into another container, and try to avoid getting the soda sediment. The end result of the procedure will depend on the purity of the solution.

Before the item is subjected to processing, it must be cleaned, if necessary, sand the surface and degrease. The film thickness is not more than 0.05 mm, so she can't hide the visible defects.

Just before the process you need to mix the prepared solutions in the same container.

Electrochemical processes

Dishes in which is to be anodized must fully accommodate the workpiece. At the same time, it should not touch the bottom of the tank. Appropriate here any of the convenient options, it is enough to be smart. Mount parts also need to think carefully about, so traces may remain, which ideally should not be.

According to the technology of anodizing aluminium, power supply connected in the following way: “plus” served on detail and the “minus” – bath. The procedure lasts at least 30 minutes. Change the color of the product will indicate the end of the process. You can disable the battery (usually used) and remove the item.

Processed the product is well washed and to get rid of grout, you can hold him some time in the potassium permanganate. After it again should be rinsed in cold and warm water (alternately) and dried. With the right approach detail will differ light grey tinge, evenly covered the entire surface. Spots, stains, or streaks should be absent.

Final phase

It is Necessary to bring the procedure to the end, because the resulting film is characterized by the presence of micropores that are not beneficial. They need to be close to what detail should be boiled in distilled water for half an hour.

At the end and, if desired, detail can be painted or covered with varnish. Although the metal in the process becomes a natural color, which depends on the composition of the workpiece. Usually the shades vary from green to dark, but often it turns out the anodized aluminum in black color. To give details of another desired color, the item is immersed in a solution of aniline dyes (10 %).

As can be seen, anodizing of aluminium can be performed at home, but of all the ways available only by cold method as it is more secure. Besides not much difference between the form of a solution, there is little (soda or acid) the result in either case will be the same. Main thing is to follow the instructions.