Protect Your Projects with Anodized Finishes

When it comes to successfully completing building projects large and small, there is a lot to consider. From budget to timeline to design and more, you will likely find yourself making a variety of decisions to ultimately ensure your project comes out as desired. Additionally, likely the biggest and most important choice you will have to make is what materials to use. For many embarking on building projects, using anodized aluminum is key for protecting aluminum from oxidation. But just what is anodized aluminum, and what is the process in anodizing aluminum? Read on to learn more about the aluminum anodized coating process, and more.

What is Anodized Aluminum?

For those wondering what is anodized aluminum, simply put, it is aluminum that has gone through the aluminum anodizing process that puts a thin layer of protectant on the surface of the aluminum. It results in a metal surface that is highly durable, resistant to corrosion, and can be decorative in nature.

How to Anodize Aluminum

An electrochemical process that is done through a highly controlled process of oxidation. While a variety of metals, such as titanium and magnesium, can also be anodized, aluminum is ideally structured for the process. In the aluminum anodizing process, the aluminum is submerged in an acid electrolyte bath. The next step in how to anodize aluminum is to pass an electric current through the medium in which the aluminum is submerged. This step in the aluminum anodized coating process is done by mounting a cathode inside the anodizing tank. The aluminum serves as an anode, enabling oxygen ions to release from the electrolyte. The oxygen ions combine with the aluminum atoms developing an oxide layer that is chemically built on the surface of the aluminum. This oxide layer is key when it comes to how to protect aluminum from oxidation, since it provides surface corrosion protection along with an excellent substrate for decorative finishes.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Giving aluminum a anodized coating brings out natural luster, smooth texture, and beauty of the metal while imparting a hard coating. Anodizing converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant finish. The aluminum oxide that is formed beneath the surface is not applied like paint or plating. It is fully integrated with the underlying aluminum substrate, so it cannot chip, peel, chalk, or flake. Anodized aluminum finishes are available in virtually any color, so you are able to customize your building project to your exact specifications. The anodized finishes maintain the integrity of the metal and can protect against harsh weather conditions and damage from harmful UV light.

Anodized coatings are available in virtually any color, so you are able to customize your building project to your exact specifications.

How to Protect Aluminum & Benefits of Anodizing

 One of the most important benefits of anodizing aluminum is that it is an effective method for protecting the aluminum, specifically how to stop aluminum corrosion and how to protect the aluminum from oxidation. The specific benefits of anodized coated aluminum include:

Increased Durability. As mentioned throughout, the anodization process ultimately protects the aluminum surface, increasing its durability. The oxide layer applied to the surface of the aluminum is effective in protecting the aluminum from corrosion, ensuring the metal does not break down even when exposed to harsh conditions. Aluminum that has been anodized has a very long life span, so your building project will hold up over a very long period of time.

Low Maintenance. The results from the anodizing process protecting the aluminum are beneficial at every stage from start to finish, ensuring you have little to do to maintain its appearance. In fact, most people find they only need to rinse or use mild soap and water to restore their anodized aluminum to its original appearance.

Appearance and Color. Ultimately, you want your building to look great. Not only is the anodization process effective in protecting aluminum so that it holds up over time, it also looks great. Anodizing allows the aluminum to keep its metallic appearance, while also lending itself to endless choices of finishes and colors to suit the aesthetic you’re looking for. By anodizing, you can add a flat luster or a high shine as another option.

Price. Anodizing aluminum is not a particularly expensive process, so you’ll enjoy quality aluminum finishes at an affordable price. However, the real benefit of anodization comes with the appearance of the metal while also having the benefit of lower maintenance costs over time.

Custom Finishes from Eagle Mouldings

With so many benefits, particularly its role in how to protect aluminum from corrosion and how to protect aluminum from oxidation, selecting anodized aluminum coatings for your next building project is key. Eagle Mouldings specializes in providing customers with a wide range of anodized aluminum finishes to suit any and all projects. Our selection of anodized aluminum finishes and aluminum finishing options is unmatched, from the bright and bold to subtle and sleek, so you can easily customize your project for the exact look you want and need. Improving aesthetics and performance, our anodized finishes are unmatched. Contact our experts today to find the anodized aluminum finishes your project is missing.