The “Metabrite” Process

Question:

 Our company has been clear coating a polished aluminum diecast part, with a large fall-out rate for outgassing. We have heard about the “Metabrite” hard anodizing process, through an advertisement by Fort Wayne Anodizing. Supposedly, this process can make a part as shiny as if it had been polished. Could this part be clear coated, with a reduction in “outgassing”? B. L.

Answer:

 I am not familiar with the “Metabrite” process. However, anodized aluminum parts have been successfully powder coated for more than 25 years. Applying a clear coating over a part that has been anodized should be relatively easy, as long as the product’s surface is clean. It sounds as if this new process may greatly reduce the polishing efforts currently expended on your parts. However, I highly doubt that this process will affect your outgassing problems. To reduce outgassing, I recommend that you follow the more traditional methods of preheating, sealing the casting and using an outgassing powder coating formulation.