Tri-State Aluminum’s Anodizing Capabilities
Tri-State Aluminum provides high-quality aluminum anodizing services. We seek to meet and exceed our clients’ needs by offering additional benefits like:
- Increased corrosion and wear resistance
- Creation of a porous surface better suited for accepting dyes
- Improved paint, primer, and glue adhesion
- Increased surface emissivity
Our facilities specialize in creating anodized aluminum extrusions including bars, tubes, rods, and a wide range of die-formed shapes. We operate with an inventory of more than 2,000 standard dies, and we can custom design a die if you seek a more specialized design. Tri-State also provides electrolytic coloring, which produces highly advanced color quality to anodized aluminum products.
About Tri-State’s Anodized Aluminum Extrusions
Decorative and corrosion-resistant components that take advantage of the lightweight, durable properties of anodized aluminum extrusions provide benefits to a wide range of industries and applications.
Anodizing uses electrochemical processes to form a uniform layer of highly durable anodic oxide on the surface of aluminum material by augmenting its natural aluminum oxide layer. This allows the surface of aluminum extrusions to accept a broader range of finishes and colors, unaffected by environmental elements and wear common in other surface finishes.
The Anodizing Process
During the anodizing process, manufacturers first clean, rinse, and etch aluminum workpieces to remove contaminants and impurities. Then, they immerse aluminum parts into an acid–electrolyte bath while passing an electric current through the solution. A cathode mounted to the inside of the anodizing tank provides the positively charged cations that flow through the electrolyte solution, while the aluminum extrusions act as an anode, providing negatively charged cations.
The electrolyte-charged process taking place within the bath releases oxygen ions, which combine with aluminum atoms on the surface of the extrusion. This forms a chemical bond known as an aluminum oxide or anodic oxide layer, which fully integrates with the underlying aluminum atoms on the surface of the extrusion. This in turn results in a hardened, corrosion-resistant layer that prevents chipping and peeling.
Anodizing
Anodizing successfully combines science with nature to create one of the world’s best metal finishes. It is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the naturally occurring protective oxide. The resulting finish, depending on the process, is the second hardest substance known to man (second only to the diamond). The anodic coating is part of the metal but has a porous structure which allows secondary infusions, (i.e. organic and inorganic coloring, lubricity aids, etc.) Tri-State Aluminum has over 25 years experience in anodizing aluminum extrusions.
Electrolytic Coloring (The two-step method)
After anodizing, the metal is immersed in a bath containing an inorganic metal salt. Current is applied which deposits the metal salt in the base of the pores. The resulting color is dependent on the metal used and the processing conditions (the range of colors can be expanded by over-dyeing the organic dyes). This process offers color versatility and the most technically advanced coloring quality.
Benefits
Several benefits result from creating this hardened layer on the surface of aluminum extrusions, such as:
- Aesthetically pleasing appearance
- Outstanding durability
- Lower maintenance costs
- Greater resistance to corrosion
- Resistance to chipping, peeling, flaking, fingerprints, and chalking
These benefits make anodized aluminum extrusions a viable solution for many industrial finishing applications, including:
- Commercial and residential architecture
- Appliances
- Food preparation equipment
- Furniture
- Sporting goods
- Motor-vehicle components
Find Quality Aluminum Extrusions With Tri-State Aluminum
Tri-State Aluminum brings more than 40 years of experience working with aluminum to provide one-stop-shop solutions. We help clients design, extrude, cut, fabricate, and finish their products, and we also provide quality labeling and shipping services to reduce handling and carrying costs. Our facilities follow strict industry standards and quality control measures throughout our production processes.
Contact us to learn how Tri State Aluminum’s anodized aluminum extrusions can enhance your products and benefit your organization.
About Anodized Aluminum Extrusions
Decorative and corrosion-resistant components that take advantage of the lightweight, durable properties of anodized aluminum extrusions provide benefits to a wide range of industries and applications.
Anodizing uses electrochemical processes to form a uniform layer of highly durable anodic oxide on the surface of aluminum material by augmenting its natural aluminum oxide layer. This allows the surface of aluminum extrusions to accept a broader range of finishes and colors, unaffected by environmental elements and wear common in other surface finishes.
The Anodizing Process
During the anodizing process, manufacturers first clean, rinse, and etch aluminum workpieces to remove contaminants and impurities. Then, they immerse aluminum parts into an acid–electrolyte bath while passing an electric current through the solution. A cathode mounted to the inside of the anodizing tank provides the positively charged cations that flow through the electrolyte solution, while the aluminum extrusions act as an anode, providing negatively charged cations.
The electrolyte-charged process taking place within the bath releases oxygen ions, which combine with aluminum atoms on the surface of the extrusion. This forms a chemical bond known as an aluminum oxide or anodic oxide layer, which fully integrates with the underlying aluminum atoms on the surface of the extrusion. This in turn results in a hardened, corrosion-resistant layer that prevents chipping and peeling.
Anodizing
Anodizing successfully combines science with nature to create one of the world’s best metal finishes. It is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the naturally occurring protective oxide. The resulting finish, depending on the process, is the second hardest substance known to man (second only to the diamond). The anodic coating is part of the metal but has a porous structure which allows secondary infusions, (i.e. organic and inorganic coloring, lubricity aids, etc.) Tri-State Aluminum has over 25 years experience in anodizing aluminum extrusions.
Electrolytic Coloring (The two-step method)
After anodizing, the metal is immersed in a bath containing an inorganic metal salt. Current is applied which deposits the metal salt in the base of the pores. The resulting color is dependent on the metal used and the processing conditions (the range of colors can be expanded by over-dyeing the organic dyes). This process offers color versatility and the most technically advanced coloring quality.
Benefits
Several benefits result from creating this hardened layer on the surface of aluminum extrusions, such as:
- Aesthetically pleasing appearance
- Outstanding durability
- Lower maintenance costs
- Greater resistance to corrosion
- Resistance to chipping, peeling, flaking, fingerprints, and chalking
These benefits make anodized aluminum extrusions a viable solution for many industrial finishing applications, including:
- Commercial and residential architecture
- Appliances
- Food preparation equipment
- Furniture
- Sporting goods
- Motor-vehicle components