Clear anodizing is typically a sulfuric acid anodizing process, and as a result, offers better wear resistance than chromic acid anodizing and comparable corrosion resistance. Used in a variety of applications, clear anodizing benefits diverse industries including: architecture, for use in window and door frames, railings and siding; automotive, for use in trim and housings for various exposed parts; printing, for use as commercial photolithography plates; and industrial manufacturing, for sheet metal and various extrusions such as profiles and cases for additional surface protection. Read More…
Located in Woonsocket, RI, Sanford Process serves customers globally with aluminum coating and finishing services. We license our technology throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Sanford Process is a subsidiary of Katahdin Industries, Inc., which specializes in surface coatings and metal finishing application technologies and related services. Visit our website for more information!
Aluminum finishing specialist with over 50 years of personalized service in the anodizing industry & the largest commercial anodizing tanks in the country! A variety of capabilities for even your difficult jobs to meet & exceed all standards for clear & colored, protective & decorative, sulfuric, duranodic & chromic anodizing of parts large & small. Same-day estimates & 1 week or less turnaround.
At Tompkins Metal Finishing, we offer mid to high volume aluminum anodizing. We do pre-cleaning, etching, deoxidizng, dyeing and sealing. We can achieve a wide range of surface finishes from bright to dull matte in clear, black, gold, blue and red. Other methods are also available with consideration of alloy, coating thickness, masking requirements and racking instructions.
Since 1945, Light Metals Coloring has been one of the largest independent aluminum anodizing job shops. Light Metals Coloring provides hard coat anodizing, bulk anodizing, rack anodizing, clear anodizing, sulfuric acid anodizing, chromate conversion anodizing and color anodizing.
Dajcor Aluminum is the leading Canadian supplier of extruded, fabricated/machined and anodized components and assemblies to the automotive, renewable energy, transportation, building trades, military, recreation, and consumer-product industries.
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Clear Anodizing - Dajcor Aluminum Ltd.Additionally, clear anodizing can be colored by means such as organic dyes and metallic salts to create colors such as red, yellow, blue and green for decorative applications such as jewelry or artwork. Some further benefits of clear anodizing include decreased part maintenance, reduced metal weight, being environmentally-friendly and increased production efficiency.
The clear anodizing process is basically identical to the Type II sulfuric acid anodizing process. A commonly used anodizing process, Type II sulfuric acid requires the metal to be fully immersed into sulfuric acid, a highly corrosive and oil-like acid that is formed from sulfur dioxide. When the metal is immersed in the acid an electric current, generally direct current, is sent through the sulfuric acid and reacts with anodes on the surface of the material. The reaction of the current and the anodes creates the hard outer film of oxidation.
After the material is removed from the sulfuric acid bath, it is then sealed through the use of hot water in order to enhance the corrosion-resistant properties of the film. If a color is going to be added, then the dye or salt must be introduced after immersion in the sulfuric acid bath but before sealing, so that when sealed, the color will become locked in.
While the addition of color can be eye-catching, clear anodizing allows the natural luster of the metal to shine through. Although aluminum is the most common material used in clear anodizing, other metals may be anodized as well including: titanium, magnesium, zinc, niobium and tantalum.
