Secoa Metal Finishing

The Benefits of Anodized Aluminum in Marine Environments

Category: Anodizing

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The Benefits of Anodized Aluminum in Marine Environments

Keeping equipment from being damaged in a marine environment is no easy task. Constant exposure to salt and water can take a toll on even the toughest materials. Fortunately, we at Secoa Metal Finishing know exactly how to protect your marine equipment from corrosion and deterioration: have it anodized.



Anodizing is an electrochemical process used to produce an anodic oxide film on an aluminum surface. The result is an extremely durable finish that’s particularly well suited for marine applications. Aluminum has a fairly high corrosion resistance to begin with, but it’s not nearly enough to fight off the effects of being regularly exposed, or even submerged, in salt water. Anodized aluminum, on the other hand, offers superior corrosion resistance that holds up even in the harshest environments.

At Secoa, we offer high quality anodizing services for all of your marine equipment. But that’s not all; we take anodizing to the next level with DiamonDyze™. DiamonDyze™ is a nanoceramic technology that can be incorporated into the anodizing process. It dramatically improves a part’s wear, corrosion, thermal, and chemical resistance—offering even more protection than standard anodizing. It is especially effective against salt-spray, and is therefore ideal for marine applications.



Secoa Metal Finishing is one of just a few licensed DiamonDyze™ applicators in the United States. So, if you want to use the best possible coating for your marine equipment, contact us today and ask about DiamonDyze™. To learn more, give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com.
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How Does Anodizing Work?

Anodizing is a popular metal finishing process often used to coat aluminum, though it can be used on other substrates, as well. It is an electrochemical process that results in the formation of a tough oxide surface layer. This process can be broken down into five simple steps

1- The anodizing process begins when an aluminum part is connected to a positive terminal of an electrical circuit (which causes the part to become an anode)

2- The second step in the anodizing process is creating a cathode. While an anode is the positive part of the circuit, the cathode is the negative part of the circuit. This step is achieved by applying a negative charge to the metal plates.

3- Next, the aluminum part (which is now an anode) and the metal plates that comprise the cathode are submerged in an acidic electrolyte bath solution. This solution contains a variety of chemical compounds that add positive and negative ions to the bath.

4- Then, once the aluminum part is submerged in the solution, the cathode is applied to a metal electrode in the bath, which sends voltage through the circuit.

5- When voltage is applied to the circuit, the aluminum part loses positive ions while attracting negative ions. This causes a layer of aluminum oxide to grow on the part’s surface.

The anodizing process makes metal surfaces more durable and corrosion resistant, which makes it useful for applications in a wide array of industries, ranging from architectural to automotive. Looking for anodizing services in Georgia? Contact Secoa Metal Finishing at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com.  
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The Importance of Anodizing Aluminum

As an easy process used to keep aluminum protected from unnecessary wear and damage, anodizing provides an aluminum oxide coating to the metal surface. The longevity and durability of the resulting finish corresponds directly to the thickness of the applied coating. At Secoa Technology, we help you protect your equipment and associated components through the wide range of specialty metal finishing coatings we offer.

Aluminum oxide provides superb and effective protection against the effects of weathering. At the same time, the electromechanical bonding involved allows you to apply dyes to the metal for coloring purposes without the risk of peeling and flaking in the future.

Anodizing Benefits

The primary benefits of anodizing aluminum components are dual purpose: greater durability and increased service life. Although the protection afforded by this application is significant, any shortcomings in protection are far less consequential due to the reduced maintenance involved in reapplying this type of coating compared to organic coatings. Anodized surfaces that accumulate stains or dirt can be cleaned easily using mild detergent, enabling you to recover the appearance of a new finish.

The lifespan of restored anodized finishes is approximately 20 years, which is much greater than the lifespan of the finish provided by a coating of nonvolatile organic paint. Anodizing produces a harder surface than powder coating and is optimal for heavy traffic and equipment use. This coating does not actively incur damage from exposure to harsh chemicals or physical contact. It is also not negatively impacted by sunlight.

Applications

As with various types of manufacturing and production applications, there is an optimal as well as a less than adequate way to anodize your aluminum components. The quality and thickness of the anodic coating process are significant factors in the results achieved in terms of durability and effective service life. Thinner coatings will provide less protection against physical impact. Higher quality and thicker coatings will last longer and provide a higher level of protection against wear and tear.

For more information about how our team at Secoa Technology can help you with your anodizing and other metal finishing needs, call us today at 706.272.0133 or send us a message through our contact form.

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Aluminum Anodizing: Producing A Superior Finish

For versatility, it is hard to beat aluminum. It is open to a variety of finishing processes. One of the most common means of treating it is through anodizing. Aluminum anodizing produces a metal that resembles other metals. By adding color, you can also have an aesthetically pleasing product.

What Is Anodizing?

Anodizing is a surface treatment. An electrochemical process, it deposits an even layer of clear, colorless, or gray to black aluminum oxide on the surface of the aluminum product. The thickness and color of the layer will depend upon the purpose behind the anodization process.

The intent of aluminum anodizing is simple – to produce a protective and/or a decorative coating. It does so by strengthening the naturally occurring development of oxidization. The addition of color to complete any of the processes is possible. This improves the attractiveness of the material and increases its potential use in the marketplace.

Three Types of Anodizing

Three major types of anodizing processes exist:

  • Type I (Chromic acid anodizing): This conventional form is typical for aerospace applications. Its intent is to imbue corrosion resistance as well as solid paint adhesion.
  • Type II (Sulfuric acid anodizing): This is for aluminum for aesthetic purposes. Commonly found in many applications, it produces a clear, even thin layer readily susceptible to the process of coloring.
  • Type III (Hard coat anodizing): The layer is thicker. It tends to range in color from gray through to black. Its purpose is to improve the wear resistance of aluminum. Finishers can dye or leave the product alone

Aluminum Anodizing

At Secoa Technology, we find anodizing to provide a superior finish to aluminum. It provides:

  • A protective layer
  • Extends corrosion resistance
  • Improves resistance to wear and tear
  • Produces an attractive finish

By applying DiamonDyze™, we ensure your company’s components receive a superior protective coating for both Type II and III aluminum anodizing processes.