Thread: Roll your own
View Single Post
  #12  
Old 15-03-2009, 05:59 PM
marki's Avatar
marki
Waiting for next electron

marki is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,427
Quote:
Originally Posted by PCH View Post
Guys,

at risk of sounding thick, - what does 'anodising' mean and what's it for?

Cheers
Anodising is a process in which aluminium is chemically forced to oxidise. A thin layer of aluminium oxide (Al2O3 ) forms on the outside of the aluminium giving a hardened and corrosion resistent surface. Colour can be added if the process leaves large pores in the oxide but this decreases the hardness. Small pores offer a harder suface but do not colour up well with black being the only real option. Pore size can be controlled by varying the sulfuric acid concentration and the temperature of the solution.


Ciao Mark

Last edited by marki; 15-03-2009 at 06:34 PM.
Reply With Quote