While the anodising process delivers a bright finish, the preparation work must not be neglected, as failing to diligently conduct all stages of the preparation phase will result in imperfections, a lack of durability, an increased occurrence of corrosion and the need for re-work.
How to Prepare Metal for Anodisation.
Before metal can be anodised, it must be prepared. It should first be carefully selected to be free from inherent flaws which could make the process more challenging or introduce unnecessary complexities. Next it should be treated with chemical levelling deposits and rigorously buffed thereafter.
If any defects such as scratches or tooling marks are present, additional preplate polishing should be undertaken to remove them and to ensure a consistent surface finish before the metal is immersed in an acid electrolyte bath and exposed to an electric current – the anodising process.
Care should be taken at all times that the metal is handled, transported or packaged to protect against unintentional damage. Anodising specialists such as www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/anodising/ are well versed in handling metals in such a way as to preserve their structural and surface integrity prior to, during and after the anodising bath.
Aftercare of Treated Metal
As much as the care of pre-treated metal is important, so too is the care of the treated product. While the anodisation process imparts durability and corrosion protection to the metal, it must still be regularly inspected and cleaned to keep it in optimal condition. Any defects identified should be remedied at the earliest opportunity to prolong the metal’s life.