There are many factors to consider when it comes to successfully completing both large and small construction projects. From budget to timeline to design and more, you may find yourself making a variety of decisions to ultimately ensure that your project is completed on schedule. Additionally, the biggest and most important choice you may have to make is which material to use. For many people working on construction projects, using anodized aluminum is key. But what is anodized aluminum, and what is the process of anodizing aluminum? Read on to learn more about the aluminum anodizing process.
What is anodized aluminum?
For those wondering what anodized aluminum is, in short, it is aluminum that has been anodized to coat the surface of the aluminum with a thin protective layer. This creates a highly durable, corrosion-resistant metal surface that is also decorative.
How to Anodize Aluminum
An electrochemical process that is completed through a highly controlled oxidation process. While a variety of metals can also be anodized, such as titanium and magnesium, aluminum is an ideal structure for this process. In the aluminum anodizing process, the aluminum is immersed in an acidic electrolyte bath. The next step in how to anodize aluminum is to pass an electric current through the medium that the aluminum is immersed in. This step in the aluminum anodizing process is accomplished by installing a cathode inside the anodizing tank. Aluminum acts as an anode, allowing oxygen ions to be released from the electrolyte. The oxygen ions combine with the aluminum atoms to form an oxide layer that is chemically deposited on the aluminum surface. This oxide layer provides surface corrosion protection as well as an excellent decorative finish substrate.
Anodized Aluminum Finish
Anodized aluminum gives the metal a natural luster, smooth texture, and beauty while providing a hard coating. Anodizing transforms the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant surface. The aluminum oxide that forms beneath the surface cannot be applied like paint or plating. It is completely integrated with the aluminum substrate underneath so it will not chip, flake, chalk, or peel. Anodized aluminum finishes are available in virtually any color, so you can customize your building project to your exact requirements. Anodized finishes maintain the integrity of the metal and protect against damage from harsh weather conditions and harmful UV rays.
Anodized paints are available in virtually any color, so you can customize your building project to your exact requirements.
How to Protect Aluminum and the Benefits of Anodizing
One of the most important benefits of aluminum anodizing is that it is an effective way to protect aluminum, specifically how to stop aluminum from corroding and how to protect aluminum from oxidation. Specific benefits of anodized aluminum include:
Higher durability. As mentioned throughout, the anodizing process ultimately protects the surface of the aluminum, increasing its durability. The oxide layer applied to the surface of the aluminum effectively protects the aluminum from corrosion, ensuring that the metal will not break down even when exposed to harsh conditions. Anodized aluminum has a very long lifespan, so your building project will last a long time.
Low maintenance. The results produced by the anodizing process from anode to anode are beneficial at every stage from start to finish, ensuring that you have little to no maintenance to its appearance. In fact, most people find that they only need to rinse or use mild soap and water to restore the anodized aluminum to its original appearance.
Appearance and color. Ultimately, you want your building to look great. The anodizing process not only effectively protects the aluminum etching parts and other aluminum so that it will hold up over time, but it also looks great. Anodizing allows the aluminum to maintain its metallic appearance while also giving you countless finish and color options to suit the aesthetic you are looking for. With anodizing, you can add a flat gloss or high gloss as another option.
With so many benefits, especially when it comes to preventing aluminum corrosion and how to prevent aluminum oxidation, it’s key to choose an anodized aluminum finish for your next building project. Zhan Teng Industrial Aluminum Profiles specializes in providing customers with a variety of anodized aluminum coatings to suit any and all projects. Our selection of anodized aluminum finishes and aluminum finishes is unmatched, ranging from bright and bold to subtle and stylish, so you can easily customize your project to the look you want and need. Improving aesthetics and performance, our anodizing treatments are unmatched. Contact our experts today to find the anodized aluminum finish your project is missing.
