the sodium hydroxide is both a surface cleaner and acts as an
electrolytic cavitator in the process.
It's etching lightly the surface & initiating a network of
pores within the terminal (hardened) layer of the aluminum which
will accept the pigments uniformly.
A critical detail, is only some aluminums are receptive of
anodizing.
My preferences are 6061, 6063 & 5052 grades.
On 12/8/2019 9:08 PM, Tony Smith wrote:
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NaOH
(Sodium hydroxide aka lye aka drain cleaner) is mainly used
to degrease the part, gets that last bit of crap off.
?
It’ll
strip the oxide layer off as well, and giving the part a
slight etch probably isn’t a bad idea.? It’ll eat the part
completely if left in too long – try it with a drink can.?
You wind up with the plastic layer.
?
Tony
?
?
?
Did you
click on the links? NaOH is just part of the process.
On 04/12/2019 16:18, Dave wrote:
I don't think NaOH would work - some people use it to etch
the aluminium prior to anodizing (gives a better finish
seemingly)? but you need an acid for the actual anodizing.
--
Steven Greenfield AE7HD
