What is anodized aluminum Used For?
aluhm > 02-02-2018, 01:55 AM
Anodizing is most commonly used for improved corrosion resistance on certain types of aluminum alloys. Aluminum alloys that are subject to marine environments typically benefit from anodizing. Ship hulls, dock components, and oil rig structures are common examples of these.
Anodizing is also used for abrasion control. Aluminum that has not been oxidized is a relatively soft material when compared with steel or titanium. Aluminum oxide, on the other hand, is an extremely hard material. In fact, aluminum oxide is often used in sandpapers because of its high hardness. When the anodizing process forms an aluminum oxide layer on the outside of an aluminum alloy, it greatly increases its wear resistance because aluminum oxide is such a hard material. Applications where anodizing is used for wear resistance include aluminum components that are subjected to constant movement and contact with other materials.
Dyeing is another popular application of anodized aluminum. The aluminum oxide layer that is created on an aluminum alloy during the anodizing process is porous. This allows some dyes to be absorbed by the oxide layer. Aluminum alloys that couldn’t be dyed before can now be made to be a variety of colors. Applications of dyeing anodized aluminum include artwork and and aluminum signs.