Aluminum Anodizing Process

Aluminum Anodizing Explained

Aluminum anodizing is a controlled oxidation process that includes 5 distinct stages: cleaning to remove grease and other contaminants, pre-treatment, which comprises etching and brightening, anodising, in which the anodic film is built and combined with the metal by passing an electrical current through an acid electrolyte bath, colouring, which can be done in a variety of ways, and finally sealing, which closes the pores in the anodic film.

The coating thickness and surface characteristics are tightly controlled to meet end product specifications.

The Anodizing Process

De-smutting

De-smutting after etching is an important part of anodizing. De-smutting gently cleans the surface, removing metals and caustic etching residues. BONDERITE^® products do not affect the etching finish and do not etch the surface. We offer two kinds of de-smutting agent, a liquid pack product, which can be diluted in water, and a liquid and powder product used as an additive in exhausted sulfuric acid. BONDERITE^® products are superior to traditional nitric acid. Non-existent or low levels of nitric compound ensure water discharge compliant with WWT legislation. The products help to reduce energy consumption and ultimately costs.

Anodizing

BONDERITE^® anodizing additive helps to make your anodising tank more efficient, enabling you to maximise your existing anodising process. By using anodising additives you can optimise your production, generate energy savings and increase coating thickness within the same treatment time.

Electro-colouring

Making a perfect and reproducible colour in one go is the first step in avoiding extra cost. Increasing treatment time, remaking a colour and creating a scrap material affect unit cost and profitability. BONDERITE^® electro-colouring was developed to overcome all these issues. High tin content, perfect stabilisation and high throwing power ensure perfect colour and perfect reproducibility from the very first batch. High-quality BONDERITE^® products allow you to set the best chemical and electrical parameters to achieve the best colour in minimum time. Chemical product performance will help you avoid extra costs or tin precipitation, generating savings and best performance.

Sealing

These products seal the pores created by anodizing to ensure and increase corrosion protection in outdoor exposure. All BONDERITE^® sealing products for cold and hot processes fulfil the European - Qualanod and GSB specification. BONDERITE^® sealing products help you achieve the corrosion protection required for architectural aluminum in external use. The BONDERITE^® sealing process has been developed to deliver high bath stability, high performance, less consumption and energy savings.  

Benefits of BONDERITE^® Aluminum Anodizing Process

BONDERITE^® solutions create competitive advantages across the industrial manufacturing marketplace. Its processes deliver superior cost-in-use and operational efficiency through a broad portfolio of cleaners, surface treatment and coating products.

BONDERITE^® coating processes lead to superior performance. Your manufacturing operations benefit from the combination of reliable and sustainable coating processes and improved product properties.

The main benefits of the BONDERITE^® Anodizing Process are corrosion resistance, abrasion protection, insulation and aesthetic appearance.

We offer products for all steps of the anodizing process:

• Cleaning – e.g. borate-free and low/no foam behaviour
• Etching – low foam and less viscosity at high Al concentration
• Bright etching – ready-to-use solution
• De-smutting – NOx reduction and no etching on surface
• Electrolytic colouration – high uniformity and high throwing power
• Ni-free cold seal works at: 35 – 40 °C

New products are developed in Henkel’s own R&D centres and undergo rigorous testing. Coupled with a state-of-the-art analytical department, this ensures customers always get the highest quality and outstanding service.

With vast experience spanning more than 90 years, Henkel’s mission is to serve its customers and consumers worldwide as the most trusted partner with leading positions in all relevant markets and categories – as a passionate team united by shared values.

Take advantage of Henkel’s commitment to quality and customer partnership and enjoy customised equipment solutions.