Anodizing successfully combines science
with nature to create one of the world's best metal finishes.
Developed over 50 years ago, anodizing is an electrochemical
process that forms a protective coating of aluminum oxide
on the surface of the aluminum.
Raw aluminum left exposed will corrode and
oxidize, creating weakness and becoming unsightly. Anodizing
protects the raw aluminum, transforming it into a hard and
durable, weather-resistant substance.
Anodized coatings can be colored by dyeing
- and because anodizing is a chemical bond to the metal, these
colored coatings cannot flake or peel. The microscopic structure
of an anodized coating consists of many small hexagonal pores.
These are filled with a sealer that hydrolyzes the pores to
create a smooth, durable surface.
Type III Anodizing
Hardcoating - for maximum durability
Hardcoating, which is an extension of the
standard anodizing process, results in a protective finish
that is up to 8 times thicker and 10 times more durable and
wear-resistant than standard anodizing. One of the unusual
features of hardcoating is its extremely dense and hard structure,
which results in a high degree of lubricity - i.e., hard-coated
surfaces can run against each other without lubrication in
some applications.
Other properties of hardcoating include
the following:
super long life span
resistance to outdoor conditions
exceptionally hard surface
easily cleaned
heat resistant
Hard coating has applications in industries
where components require wear-resistant surfaces - for example,
cylinders, hydraulic gears, and machine ways.
There are several variations of hardcoat
anodizing. Thus, when 'hardcoat' is specified, it is useful
to know the product requirements or the situation for which
the product will be used.
