What is Anodizing?
WHAT IS ANODIZING?
Anodizing is a process where a coating is built up on the surface of certain metals (titanium, niobium, tantalum, aluminum, magnesium and zinc) by heating, with chemicals, or by electricity. In the case of titanium, the coating that is built up is a layer of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide, which is also known as titanium oxide, occurs naturally on the surface of titanium. Anodizing the surface of titanium can be done by the use of heat but the results are not easily controlled. The most common method is to form an oxide layer on the surface with the use of electricity. The way that this is done is with a variable power supply in which an electrode is connected to the positive side (anode), and one to the negative side (cathode). Both are then submerged into a mildly conductive solution, thus completing the electrical circuit. The piece that is to be anodized is connected to the positive side, and that is why the process is called “anodizing”.
HOW ARE THE DIFFERENT COLORS ACHIEVED?
Anodizing does not involve any dyes. The color on the surface is apparent because light reflects through the created oxide layer to create a color. Without the presence of light that color wouldn't be there. Light reflects off of the surface of titanium. When a piece is high polished and not anodized, it reflects its mirror finish. When a piece is anodized, the light has to reflect [refract] off of the surface through the added oxide layer. The oxide layer filters the light waves passing through it and causes interference in the light reflected. This causes the light to reflect in a color. The color that is apparent on an anodized piece of titanium depends on the thickness of the oxide layer that has been applied to it. The thickness of the oxide layer that is formed during the process depends on the voltage of electricity that has been that has been applied to it.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN ANODIZED SURFACE?
Pretty colors,Color coding,A more smooth, durable, and bio compatible surface,Removal of microscopic debris embedded in the surface and Passivation according to the ASTM F86 Standard Practice for Surface Preparation and Marking of Metallic Surgical Implants
This information has been shared from Brian Skellie. More information on Anodization and many other amazing things, can be found at his Website.
Anodizing is a process where a coating is built up on the surface of certain metals (titanium, niobium, tantalum, aluminum, magnesium and zinc) by heating, with chemicals, or by electricity. In the case of titanium, the coating that is built up is a layer of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide, which is also known as titanium oxide, occurs naturally on the surface of titanium. Anodizing the surface of titanium can be done by the use of heat but the results are not easily controlled. The most common method is to form an oxide layer on the surface with the use of electricity. The way that this is done is with a variable power supply in which an electrode is connected to the positive side (anode), and one to the negative side (cathode). Both are then submerged into a mildly conductive solution, thus completing the electrical circuit. The piece that is to be anodized is connected to the positive side, and that is why the process is called “anodizing”.
HOW ARE THE DIFFERENT COLORS ACHIEVED?
Anodizing does not involve any dyes. The color on the surface is apparent because light reflects through the created oxide layer to create a color. Without the presence of light that color wouldn't be there. Light reflects off of the surface of titanium. When a piece is high polished and not anodized, it reflects its mirror finish. When a piece is anodized, the light has to reflect [refract] off of the surface through the added oxide layer. The oxide layer filters the light waves passing through it and causes interference in the light reflected. This causes the light to reflect in a color. The color that is apparent on an anodized piece of titanium depends on the thickness of the oxide layer that has been applied to it. The thickness of the oxide layer that is formed during the process depends on the voltage of electricity that has been that has been applied to it.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN ANODIZED SURFACE?
Pretty colors,Color coding,A more smooth, durable, and bio compatible surface,Removal of microscopic debris embedded in the surface and Passivation according to the ASTM F86 Standard Practice for Surface Preparation and Marking of Metallic Surgical Implants
This information has been shared from Brian Skellie. More information on Anodization and many other amazing things, can be found at his Website.
