Aluminum Anodizing Services

Aluminum Anodizing is an electrochemical process to improve the surface of aluminum and its alloys. By forming a hard, corrosion-resistant aluminum oxide layer on the surface, it increases durability and looks.

Why Hugh’s Aluminum Anodizing Service?

Hugh Aluminium has over 100 anodizing colours and up to 7 meters long aluminum materials. No matter how complex or big your product is, our anodizing workshop can do the color for you. Common colors are Black Anodized, Bronze Anodized, Gold Anodized, Champagne Anodized, Red Anodized, Blue Anodized, and Green Anodized.

Our anodizing process is ISO9001 quality management system certified and can last up to 10 years. Anodizing improves the corrosion resistance of aluminum profiles and extends their life. Anodizing also has many color and gloss options to enhance product looks and meet customers’ aesthetic requirements.

Our anodizing process is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly surface treatment method, in line with modern sustainable development. With a maximum monthly production capacity of 400 tons, we as an aluminum profile manufacturer can offer one-stop service, from product design, and extrusion manufacturing to anodizing. This will reduce your procurement cost and product lead time, emphasis on efficiency and cost savings.

The Anodizing Features

Our anodizing process ensures your aluminum profiles are not only protected but also visually appealing and environmentally sustainable. 

1. Corrosion Protection: The anodized layer gives excellent corrosion protection to aluminum profiles in any environment and extends their life.
2. Wear Resistance: The anodized layer is very hard, Mohs 5-6, very wear-resistant, and suitable for high friction applications.
3. Aesthetics: Anodizing can offer many color options and surface finishes to meet customers’ aesthetic requirements and increase product marketability.
4. Eco-Friendly: Anodizing is a non-toxic, eco-friendly surface treatment that doesn’t produce any waste and meets modern sustainability requirements.
5. Adhesion: The anodized layer has high surface roughness which helps in the adhesion of subsequent coatings or adhesives and improves coating durability.
6. Electrical Insulation: The anodized film has excellent electrical insulation properties, suitable for applications requiring electrical insulation.

Aluminum Anodizing Process

This detailed process ensures that aluminum profiles are not only protected but also aesthetically pleasing and durable.

Cleaning and Preparation

Before anodizing, the surface of the aluminum profiles must be thoroughly cleaned to remove oil, oxide layers, dirt, and other impurities. This is usually done with alkaline or acidic cleaners.

• Principle: The cleaning process uses chemical reactions or mechanical actions to remove surface contaminants, leaving the aluminum surface clean and smooth.
• Reason: A clean surface is essential for anodizing. Any contaminants can affect the uniformity and adhesion of the oxide film, reducing the effectiveness of anodizing.

Electrolytic Process

The aluminum profile acts as the anode (positive electrode) and is placed in an electrolyte bath (usually sulfuric acid or chromic acid). An electric current is applied, and cations (like H⁺ ions) in the electrolyte react with the aluminum surface, forming an aluminum oxide film (Al₂O₃).

• Principle: When the current passes through, the aluminum surface atoms react with oxygen to form aluminum oxide. The reaction is 2Al+3O2→Al2O3.
• The thickness of the oxide film depends on the current intensity, time, temperature, and concentration of the electrolyte.
• Reason: Anodizing creates a hard oxide film on the aluminum surface through an electrochemical reaction, improving its corrosion and wear resistance. The thicker the film, the more durable it is.

Coloring

After anodizing, the oxide film is porous, allowing dyes to penetrate. Dyes or metal salts can be used for coloring.

• Principle: Colorants enter the oxide film’s micropores and react chemically or physically adsorb to the film material.
• Reason: Coloring allows aluminum profiles to meet various aesthetic requirements, making products more competitive in the market. Coloring doesn’t affect the film’s performance.

Sealing

After coloring, the oxide film needs to be sealed, usually with hot water (80-100°C) or chemical sealants (like magnesium salts).

• Principle: Hot water sealing evaporates the water molecules in the oxide film through heating, forming a dense closed structure that seals the pores. Chemical sealing creates a water-insoluble seal layer through chemical reactions, improving the film’s protection.
• Reason: Sealing increases the corrosion and wear resistance of the oxide film and prevents dyes from leaching out, maintaining color stability.