Larry Chesterfield
Food-Grade Anodic Coatings
Anodizer looks for certification that an anodic coating is safe to use with food.
Read MoreAppearance of Clear Anodized Coatings on 6061 Alloy
How do you achieve clear anodizing that is bright and clear?
Read MoreProtection from Laser Marking on Aerospace Parts
We have a number of aluminum alloy aerospace products that are finished using either chemical film (MIL-C-5541) or anodizing in accordance with MIL-A-8625. Do we need to touch up the areas where laser markings have been placed in order to preserve the corrosion protection?
Read MoreClear Anodize as a Paint Base
Our parts are generally Type III (hardcoat) anodized, sometimes duplex-sealed and sometimes unsealed. Our end-products are subject to sea water, and we try to adhere paint and polyurethane potting compounds to some of the parts. Would paint adhesion or adhesive bonding be enhanced by abrasive blasting prior to anodizing, maybe at 30 to 60 grit?
Read MorePitting on 7000 Series Al Alloy
In the last year, we’ve had a string of anodized parts come back from the finisher that are “pitted.”
Read MoreBlack, Pitted Areas on Anodized Parts
We anodize aluminum cookware and have recently been getting parts with black pits scattered all over them. What is this and how might it be happening?
Read MoreSealing Parts After Two Months
Is it possible and practical to seal hardcoat anodized (Type III) parts that have been in storage for about two months?
Read MoreAnodize Cooling System Design
What material would you recommend for the chilling system that I need to install for my anodizing tank, which has a capacity of 1,800 L (475 gal)? Can I go for Type 316 stainless steel or copper pipe with lead plating?
Read MorePink Coating on BSA Parts
I understand that iron and poor current can cause a pink coating on boric-sulfuric anodized (BSA) parts. What levels of iron are permissible before reaching the pink-colored coating? Are there any other things we could be missing?
Read MoreChemical Film Staining
What technique is used to avoid staining on aluminum parts when chemical film per Mil-C-5541 is applied?
Read MoreCritical Holes Out of Tolerance
The aerospace detail parts we send out for anodizing are often coated with a chemical film (Alodine) to aid in the application of masking. When the Alodine is dissolved before anodizing, the precise diameters of holes are often eroded oversize, which will scrap the part in many cases. What is the best way to specify on a drawing or purchase order that such erosion cannot be tolerated? Should a certain masking technique be specified? Are there certain processes that should be forbidden?
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