Aluminium is a metal that is utilized in several applications, ranging from engine parts to cooking utensils. Moreover, it is also used to make PC components and paintball makers. Nonetheless it is reasonably soft and reacts simply with other materials. That is why anodising it is very important. It increases the surface strength and prevents corrosion. In some cases, it is also used to add colour to items made from aluminium.
Anodising aluminium isn't a straightforward process. It needs the usage of dangerous chemicals and electricity. Nevertheless it can be safely done if you observe some precautions. Make sure you wear safety glasses and gloves when you're performing the process. Protective clothing should additionally be worn. An apron or heavy clothing should come in handy.
The room where you are performing the procedure should be well ventilated. If it's not possible to ventilate it correctly, you can wear a chemical respirator. Kids and pets ought to be kept away from the room. This forestalls accidents from happening.
There are a few materials that are required in this process. They include a dye, an electrolyte, power source and a nonreactive vessel, like a plastic storage tub. The electrolyte can be battery acid. This is thanks to the fact that it is easily available in hardware stores. As for the dye, you can use food colour or fabric coloring to add some colour to the parts. If the item will be exposed to sunlight, use light-fast dyes.
Before commencing, clean the aluminium part carefully. Prepare a bath by adding 2 ounces of nitric acid or three tablespoons of lye to a gallon of water. Submerge the part in the bath. This helps remove any contaminations on its surface.
Fill the container with water and battery acid in a ratio of 3 to 1 respectively. Ensure that you add the acid to water, not the other way round. This is because of the fact that the reaction can be particularly violent. Suspend the part and a plate of aluminum in the electrolyte. Connect the battery energiser negative terminal directly to the plate and the positive terminal on to the aluminium part.
Switch on the battery charger and set the rating at 2 volts. If the current is high, the method will be quicker. You'll see some bubbles coming from the aluminum plate. This shows that there is current flowing. You will also notice some bubbles on the aluminum part. Let the set up run till the time when the surface appears lifeless and the bubbles become less. This might take approximately 2 hours. Take away the part and wash it in purified water.
Mix the dye with distilled water in a non-reactive vessel. A high concentrated dye solution will produce a darker color. Put the part in the solution and warm the vessel up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue this for 15 minutes. Boil another dish of distilled water. Wash the part in cold distilled water and place it in the very hot water for roughly thirty minutes. This way the very hot water will totally seal the surface thus finishing the anodising process.
Metal finishers by Badger Anodising L.T.D. We are also anodisers for color anodising.