Anodizing - What is it and How Does it Work? Complete Aluminium Anodizing Process Explained

#anodizing Learn what aluminium anodizing is and how it works. At the end of the video, you will know what the complete anodizing process entails and how it can work to your advantage as an engineer. The entire aluminium anodizing process will be discussed in this video from correct racking, cleaning and etching, desmutting, the actual aluminium anodizing, coloring, sealing and finally curing/wrapping.
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00:00 Introduction. We talk about what will be discussed in this video on aluminium anodizing.
00:31 Bead blasting. First, one of the parts is being bead blasted before it get's anodized. Bead blasting is a pre surface treatment that is often done before anodizing.
01:15 Racking. The second step of the anodizing process is racking. This seems like a simple step but is very important to do correctly.
01:47 Cleaning and etching. The next step is cleaning and etching of the parts. It's the first chemical step in the aluminium anodizing process. Here we explain why this first bath is so important for the anodizing process.
02:53 Desmutting. After cleaning and etching the parts we'll talk about what desmutting in the anodizing process is and why it's needed. Smut is problematic and needs to be removed from the aluminium.
03:47 Anodizing. In this part of the video, the actual anodizing happens and we'll discuss what anodizing is. It involves electrical currents running through a bath. We'll also mention why rinsing after anodizing is extremely important.
05:15 Coloring. Next up is the coloring of the anodized parts.
05:49 Sealing. The final part of the anodizing process is sealing. Here, we'll discuss why sealing is so important but unfortunately often underestimated.
06:41 Wrapping. To finish the anodizing process would be to check all the parts for quality, wrap them and send them to the customer.
07:03 Outro
This video was filmed at KO-AR: 3dhu.bs/bet5mN
Presentation: Antoin Bihr
Protolabs is the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world, combining in-house quick-turn factories and premium manufacturing partners at Protolabs Network. Users can easily upload their design, instantly receive a quote, and start production at the click of a button.
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[@anisshjayaraj367]

Great Video with good visuals and crisp explanation. One can completely understand the Anodizing process. Thanks for posting

[@joefitzy]

Great explanation - thanks for sharing!

[@treycamp2657]

Well done, very informative.

[@whothewho82]

This was a great video and so helpful in understanding how this process actually works!

[@wojtekszelag123]

Thanks for the video!

[@MrJuzzi3]

Excellent video!

[@tahoefor]

awesome level of detail.

[@jamesrobinson3588]

Great explanation. Would be good to see bead blasting vs glossy anodising finishes and process

[@nivedbalakrishnan246]

Thanks for doing this. Great details. Can you have a detailed video on Casting and Machining processes for huge parts - like compressor , engine heads etc. of trailers / trucks or heavy vehicles

[@TheSupercarDiaries]

Incredible work.

[@varun-mohanmatta4689]

Great Video

[@AntiVaganza]

That was basically a really nice video, basically. Joke aside, thanks for the run down, that was cool and concise:). Well done to the presenter too - just a tiiiiny bit of advice: The team behind the camera is actually allowed to say: "Hey, you are doing super, but let's try the last one again without the 'not like a cake but like a cake' analogy, if you don't mind. And try not to say 'basically' in almost every sentence;). OK, from the top... Rolling". Not only are they allowed, it's kinda their job and though it feels weird at first, the end result usally gets better from it. And no, I am not shitting on anyone here, but I do this for a living, the shooting, not the video - so, just wanted to offer up a small piece of advice. I trust the Dutch(?) know how to take it for just that:)

[@jsnjcnt]

Cool, thank you buddy

[@jafferarfatkhan6013]

Tha ks great video.

[@thivaharan7339]

Hi may I know what are the quality check or process controls done during each process?

[@MinakWanda]

Izin bertanya, Kak kenapa proses elektrokimia (proses anodizing) selalu menggunakan larutan asam pekat (H2SO4) ? Kenapa tidak menggunakan air atau larutan basa

[@ngoctinhnguyen364]

Cho mình hỏi sao khi mình anodize mình rửa sạch bằng hóa chất gì vậy.

[@Mr.Flo.Official]

Can I ask what you use for de-smutting? And how much microns you are removing in process of doing it?

[@jeremyk7748]

Great Video. What Companies do you Anodize for?

[@MarkGarutti]

how to maintain an anodized aluminum, especially a colored one?

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

Can lead be anodized?

[@nickb193]

great video! already signed up and your website is well refined! quicky... you mentioned at 1:00 that it's best to let the anodizer carry out the work for bulk items? Do you only recommend Hubs for prototypes if doing anodizing or can you do bulk order with consistent results?

[@ProtolabsMFG]

Hi Nick, great question and thanks for the compliment! We do bulk work on a regular basis. It is preferred to do as many items in 1 order, to make sure that items will be manufactured at the same time and look the same. We’re used to working with people doing functional and cosmetic parts, and have options made especially for that on the website/platform. It's easy to upload a design(totally free) on the Hubs platform and play around with specifications. If you would like to get in touch with a sales rep for more info let me know :)

[@mekimbler1968]

Excellent explanation. I would like to ask your opinion regarding some parts that my company has received from an anodization facility. We are visually and dimensionally inspecting 1/16" thick sheet metal welded cases (5052-H32 aluminum) before sending to the anodization facility. Several parts have been received from the finishing facility with small hole burned through the sides and corners of the cases. Have you seen this before and have an option of where this could be happening in the process. Could it be low quality material composition in the sheet metal which is etched away in the desmutting step or is it in in the anodizing step when current is applied and physical contact is made through the part to the cathode.

[@ryanstockdale5663]

This will be done in the anodising process, it could be a temperature problem in the anodiser, acid levels too high or low when anodising or maybe volts/amps too high

[@tommyslatts3202]

Temperature too high or voltage too high. Ask if they are using a solution mover in the ano tank to stop it from getting heat spots.

[@agueconfle4889]

Interesting video, thanks! Btw, what is the name of the instrument used for checking anodizing layer?

[@sandeshrajput2078]

DFT (dry film thickness) meter.

[@agueconfle4889]

@@sandeshrajput2078 Thanks! Do you have any recommendation about where I can buy an affordable one?

[@sandeshrajput2078]

@@agueconfle4889 'Fischer' is most trusted brand but very expensive..if you want cheap one then go for Chinese brand like 'linshang' you can search online for supplies

[@agueconfle4889]

@@sandeshrajput2078 Excellent, thanks for the info!

[@mustafasimsek5055]

👍

[@chrise202]

You answered the How. But oddly enough missed entirely the Why? Apart from aesthetics what is the benefit versus non anodized part.

[@snicker576]

it looks better

[@Jason-vz6hm]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqfaYZiabMmigJI

[@tommyslatts3202]

Scratch resistance. Protects from tarnishing and corrosion. Colour dyes. Food safe. Aesthetics.

[@jimloneso234]

I wish u told us y u anodize???

[@Manwhoreieo]

That is a lot of faith in gravity racks.. I couldn't do it.