7594 Chancellor Drive • Orlando, FL 32809

Phone: 407-843-0182
Fax: 407-849-1724
Toll Free: 1-888-663-6136
[Link]

ANODIZING REFERENCE GUIDE

MIL SPEC 8625 F

Type I A Thickness
Conventional coatings produced from chromic acid bath 0.5µ-7.6µ
Type I B
Low voltage chromic acid anodizing (20 volts) 0.5µ-7.6µ
Used for 7xxx series alloys
Type II
Conventional coatings produced from sulfuric acid bath 1.8µ-25.4µ
Type III
Hard coat (Uniform anodic coatings) 12.7µ-115µ
Class 1
Non dyed
Class 2
Dyed

TEST METHODS FOR TYPE II ANODIZED ALUMINUM

Oxide Coating Thickness
ASTM B 244-79
ASTM B 487-85
Min Thickness
Class I 18 Microns
Class II 10 Microns
Oxide Coating Weight and Apparent Density
ASTM B 137-89
Min Weight Min Density
Class I 4.18 mg/cm2 2.32 g/cm3
Class II 2.40 mg/cm2 2.32 g/cm3
Corrosion Resistance
ASTM B 117-90
Min Hours Max Spots
Class I 3000 15
Class II 1000 15
Seal Quality
ASTM B 136-77
ASTM B 680-80
ISO 3210
Max Weight Loss
Class I 40 mg/dm2
Class II 40 mg/dm2
Adopted from AMAA 611
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 ANODIZING REFERENCE GUIDE, CONT.
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ALUMINUM ALLOY REFERENCE FOR ANODIZING

Series Alloying Metal Coating Uses A.Q.** Non-A.Q.**
(AA)* Constituants Properties Properties Types Types
1xxx None soft clear cans none 1100, 1175
conductive bright architectural
Finishing advice: care should be taken when racking this soft material; good for bright coatings; susceptible to etch staining

2xxx Copper very strong yellow aircraft none 2011, 2017 2219, 2224
hard low poor protection mechanical
elongation
Finishing advice: since copper content is >2%, these produce yellow, poor weather-resistant coatings; don't mix with other alloys on load

3xxx Manganese strong grayish-brown

cans none 3003, 3004
small grains architectural
lighting
Finishing advice: difficult to match sheet-to-sheet (varying degrees of gray/brown); used extensively for lighting

4xxx Silicon strong dark gray architectural none 4043, 4343

fluid welding wire
Finishing advice: produce heavy black smut which is hard to remove; 4043 & 4543 used for architectural dark gray finishes in past years

5xxx Magnesium strong clear architectural 5005, 5657 5052, 5252

ductile good protection welding wire
fluid lighting
Finishing advice: for 5005-keep silicon<0.1% and magnesium between 0.7% and 0.9%; watch for oxide streaks; 5005 used extensively
for architectural

6xxx Magnesium & Silicon strong clear architectural 6063, 6463 6061, 6101
ductile good protection structural
Finishing advice: matte-iron>0.2%; bright-iron<0.1%; 6063 best match for 5005; 6463 best for chemical brightening;

7xxx Zinc very strong

clear automotive none 7029, 7046 7075
good protection
Finishing advice: zinc over 5% will produce brown tinted coating; watch zinc in effluent stream; good for bright coatings
* AA - Aluminum Association
** A.Q. - Anodizing Quality - material suitable for architectural anodizing applications

TYPE I “CHROMIC ACID”

Color will vary from clear to dark gray depending on alloy. Copper bearing Type IC
alloys only yield gray colors. Not as readily dyed as sulfuric anodize due to Anodized coating produced in a non-chromic acid electrolyte. As with
thinness of coating. other Type I coating processes, the treatment is designed to impart cor-
rosion resistance, paint adhesion, and/or fatigue resistance to an alu-
New salt spray requirement is 336 hours (5% solution per method 811 or
minum part. Coating weights must fall between 200 - 700 mg/ft2.
FED-STD-No. 151).
Criteria for corrosion resistance, paint adhesion, and paint adhesion
Type I testing must be specified.
Chromic acid anodized coating. This process is used principally for the treat- continues on page 3
ment of aircraft parts. An example is the Bengough-Stewart process where
a 30 - 50 g/l chromic acid bath is maintained at 100° F and the voltage is
gradually raised to 50V. Adjustments are made for high copper, zinc, and sil-
icon alloys. Coating weights must be greater than 200 mg/ft2. Criteria for
corrosion resistance, paint adhesion, and paint adhesion testing must be
A.M. METAL FINISHING, INC.
specified. 7594 Chancellor Drive • Orlando, FL 32809
Type IB Phone: 407-843-0182
Low voltage (22)2V) chromic acid anodized coating. Typically associated Fax: 407-849-1724
with higher temperature, more concentrated chromic acid electrolytes. Toll Free: 1-888-663-6136
Coating weights must be greater than 200 mg/ft2. Criteria for corrosion [Link]
resistance, paint adhesion, and paint adhesion testing must be specified.

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 ANODIZING REFERENCE GUIDE, CONT.
continued from page 2

TYPE II “SULFURIC ACID”

MECHANICAL FINISHING A.A. COMMON DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES OF FINISHING METHODS
As Fabricated M-10 Unspecified
M-12 Nonspecular as fabricated No particular reflectiveness
Buffed M-21 Smooth specular Polished first with coarser than 320 grit, followed by
320 grit, then buffed with Alum oxide.
M-22 Specular Buffed with Alum oxide compound.
Directional Textured M-31 Fine satin Sanded with 320-400 grit Alum oxide.
M-32 Medium satin Sanded with 180-220 grit Alum oxide.
M-33 Coarse satin Sanded with 80-100 grit Alum oxide.
M-35 Brushed Brushed with stainless steel wire brush.
CHEMICAL FINISHING
Nonetched Cleaning C-11 Degreased Organic solvent treated.
C-12 Inhibited chemical cleaned Soap cleaner only.
Etched C-22 R-1 Medium matte Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) 30-45 gr/li @
60-65° C for 5 min.
Brightened C-31 R-5 Highly specular Chemical bright dip solution of the proprietary
phosphoric-nitric acid type, or electropolishing.
C-32 Diffuse bright Etched finish C-22 followed by Brightened finish C-31.
ANODIC COATING
General A-11 Prep for other applied coatings. 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 10 min.
Sometimes not sealed.
Decorative A-21 Clear coating 2.5µ - 7.5µ 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft.
Less than 10µ A-211 200 Clear coating min. 2.5 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 10 min.
A-212 201 Clear coating min. 5µ 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 15 min.
1-213 202 Clear coating min. 7.5µ mil 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 20 min.
A-23 Coating with impregnated color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft., followed by
dyeing with organic or inorganic colors.
A-24 Coating with electrolytically deposited color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. , deposited
color followed by deposition of inorganic metallic
salts.
Architectural Class 2 A-31 204 Clear coating 10µ - 18µ 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft.
10µ-18µ A-33 Coating with impregnated color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 30 min.,
followed by dyeing withorganic or inorganic colors.
A-34 Coating with electrolytically deposited color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. deposited
color for 30 min., followed by deposition of inorganic
metallic salts.
Architectural Class 1 A-41 215 Clear coating min. 18µ 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft.
18µ and more A-43 Coating with impregnated color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. for 60 min.,
followed by dyeing with organic or inorganic colors.
A-44 Coating with electrolytically deposited color 15% Sulfuric acid @ 20° C, 12 amps/sq ft. deposited
color for 60 min., followed by deposition of inorganic
metallic salts.
Data derived from “Designation System for Aluminum Finishes” (DAF45), published by The Aluminum Association.
continues on page 4

A.M. METAL FINISHING, INC.

7594 Chancellor Drive • Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: 407-843-0182
Fax: 407-849-1724
Toll Free: 1-888-663-6136
[Link]

Quality & Service Through Experience

 ANODIZING REFERENCE GUIDE, CONT.
continued from page 4

TYPE III “HARD COATING”

Color will vary from light tan to black depending on alloy and thickness. Color overtones listed below may vary with the use of additives and/or the
process. Can be dyed in darker colors depending on thickness. Coating PENETRATES base metal as much as builds up on the surface. The term THICK-
NESS includes both the buildup and penetration. Provides very hard ceramic type coating. Abrasion resistance will vary with alloy and thickness of coat-
ing. Good dielectric properties. Corrosion resistance is good, but recommend sealing in 5% dichromate solution where increased corrosion resistance is
required. Where extreme abrasion resistance is required do not seal as some softening is encountered.

TYPE III ANODIZE THICKNESS GUIDE

ALLOY MAJOR MAXIMUM COLOR***
CONSTITUENT THICKNESS* OVERTONES
(IN)
1100 ........................99.5% pure Alum. ...............................003..................................**Gray/Green
2011..................................Copper ..........................Not recommended
2014..................................Copper .......................................001 ......................................Bronze
2017..................................Copper .......................................001 ......................................Bronze
2024..................................Copper.......................................0015 ......................................Bronze
3003 ..............................Manganese ...................................002 ........................................Gray
4032 ..................................Silicon .......................................0012........................................Gray
5005 ..............................Magnesium ...................................0035 ..................................Gray/Brown
5052 ..............................Magnesium ...................................0035 ..................................Gray/Brown
5083 ..............................Magnesium ...................................0035 ..................................Gray/Brown
6061 ..............................Mag/Silicon ...................................003 ....................................Dark Gray
6063 ..............................Mag/Silicon ...................................004........................................Green
6105 ..............................Mag/Silicon ...................................0035 ..................................Gray/Green
6262 ..............................Mag/Silicon ...................................0025........................................Gray
6463 ..............................Mag/Silicon ...................................003 ........................................Gray
7075 ....................................Zinc .........................................004 ......................................Bronze
355 ....................................Silicon .......................................0035........................................Gray
356 ....................................Silicon .......................................0035........................................Gray
357 ....................................Silicon .......................................0035........................................Gray
360 ....................................Silicon .......................................0005........................................Gray
380 ....................................Silicon .......................................0005........................................Gray
319 ....................................Silicon .......................................0025 ..................................Light Gray
MIC-6 ................................Silicon .......................................0035....................................Dark Gray
50% Penetration and 50% Buildup per Surface
* Generally Accepted
** Over .0025" Thick
*** May vary

A.M. METAL FINISHING, INC.

7594 Chancellor Drive • Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: 407-843-0182
Fax: 407-849-1724
Toll Free: 1-888-663-6136
[Link]

Quality & Service Through Experience