Aluminum Finishing of Parts using Hard Anodizing Process

Aluminum finishing using a hard anodizing process when you need to give an aluminum surface the hardness of casehardened steel while maintaining the lightweight and strength of the aluminum For that, you need Duralectra. We make extensive use of the Sanford Process®, a hard anodizing process that is so versatile it enables us to hardcoat virtually all alloys (including 2000 series).

The Sanford Process® is the leading technology in the global hard anodizing market for aluminum finishing. Advantages of the Sanford Process® include the capability of hard anodizing all aluminum alloys, higher abrasion resistance, superior coating hardness and uniformity, higher thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, and the ability to dye with bright vibrant colors.

Developed more than forty years ago, hard anodizing is an electrochemical process that involves placing an aluminum finishing on a part using an electrolytic bath and applying electrical current through the bath. This process forms an oxide coating (sapphire-hard) on the aluminum part. The oxide coating is built up by a process of anodic oxidation in a cooled acid electrolyte, thus preventing any thermal or physical distortion of precision-engineered components. This oxide coating can be harder than case hardened steel and provide excellent abrasion resistance; it is protective to the aluminum part and can be very durable.

Coating Properties: The coating properties are dependent upon alloy type and the process specification will typically give details of: Thickness, Corrosion Resistance, Hardness & Wear Resistance, Electrical Resistance, Temperature Resistance, and Friction Coefficient after Lubrication

Hard Anodizing Quality: Duralectra is a NADCAP approved vendor for the major aerospace and commercial contractors. We certify to government and commercial specifications Duralectra uses the following standards when Anodizing Aluminum (Sulfuric Acid): Mil-A-8625, Type III, Class 1 and 2, BAC-5821 Class 1 and 2, AMS-2468, and AMS-2469. Testing for Inorganic Chemical Treatments, Duralectra applies Taber Testing, Coating Thickness, Coating Weight and Salt Spray Testing using an outside testing laboratory.

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