Does Aluminum to receive an anodize coating require pre-treatment first?
Hello, Jerome. I had the same question back in September. The metal component is immersed into an electrolyte bath and an electrical current is passed through it. For a more thorough answer I recommend taking the AEC Daily online course “Anodizing 101: Building, Construction & Design”. It helped me clarify the concept in my own mind.
Thanks David, yes I just spoke to George Allan at SAF in Atlanta and had an email conversation with Tammy Schroeder at Linetec, they confirmed the same. Courses are great, but I rather speak directly to experts, unfortunately my Florida expert on finishing aluminum, Fred Dula has retired.
Wow, SAF must be hungry, I received an email from Eliz Evans, their Fabrication Sales Manager, confirming the same thing. Its actually nice to get so many responses.
Unfortunately in So FL Anodize Aluminum does not hold up due to all the salt in the air, the finish starts pitting after a year or two.
There is a series of tanks, and I believe they clean/degrease/etch first…if this is what you mean by “pre-treatment”. They do a post-treatment to seal the pores.
Pre-treatment for paint/coating systems also includes a conversion coat.