Anodal Anodizing Chemistry
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Published on November 14, 2013
A new additive which promises to significantly improve the processing cost of acid etched aluminum has recently been developed by Reliant Aluminum Products. It is based on the effect that some transition metal salts have on the etch rate and gloss/consumption ratio. As shown in the accompanying chart, the additive and/or blended product promises to save 30% or more on acid etch chemical costs incurred by the aluminum finisher. To illustrate this saving, achieving a gloss of 20 in the "as etched" state for conventional chemistry (blue line) requires the consumption of 1.10 g/ft2 of aluminum from the metal surface. The red and green curves illustrate that this same level of gloss can be achieved with the consumption of 0.81 g/ft2 and 0.70 g/ft2 aluminum respectively.
Published on February 21, 2014
Increased phosphate levels in ammonium bifluoride acid etch have demonstrated in the lab and proven in production to produce a low gloss matte finish on aluminum with excellent surface blemish hiding power. In a recent production trial, etch chemistries comprising active fluoride concentrations of 25-45 g/l and phosphate levels of 40-50 g/l produced defect free surfaces anodized with gloss levels of 6 or less as measured at 60 degrees. This was done while reducing chemical consumption by 28%.