Anodizing

Anodizing is an <a href="/facts/Electrolyte/4YE8bIVa">electrolytic</a> <a href="/facts/Passivation_(chemistry)/tPADJj5G">passivation</a> process used to increase the thickness of the natural <a href="/facts/Oxide/DXtoVe1C">oxide</a> layer on the surface of metal parts.
The process is called anodizing because the part to be treated forms the <a href="/facts/Anode/TjYt95zG">anode</a> electrode of an <a href="/facts/Electrolytic_cell/Cn3U4dSp">electrolytic cell</a>. Anodizing increases resistance to <a href="/facts/Corrosion/lIC7H4we">corrosion</a> and wear, and provides better adhesion for paint primers and glues than bare metal does. Anodic films can also be used for several cosmetic effects, either with thick porous coatings that can absorb dyes or with thin transparent coatings that add reflected <a href="/facts/Interference_(wave_propagation)/lI5f78I4">light wave interference</a> effects.
Anodizing is also used to prevent <a href="/facts/Galling/bmsgk8qW">galling</a> of threaded components and to make dielectric films for <a href="/facts/Electrolytic_capacitor/0v22NBVt">electrolytic capacitors</a>. Anodic films are most commonly applied to protect <a href="/facts/Aluminium_alloy/1EzR3Y4t">aluminium alloys</a>, although processes also exist for <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a>, <a href="/facts/Zinc/80b1qgk3">zinc</a>, <a href="/facts/Magnesium/XyIhd2FG">magnesium</a>, <a href="/facts/Niobium/3zNI8AKp">niobium</a>, <a href="/facts/Zirconium/y7gsoQFz">zirconium</a>, <a href="/facts/Hafnium/rBNnlxDS">hafnium</a>, and <a href="/facts/Tantalum/VwaxMm33">tantalum</a>. Iron or <a href="/facts/Carbon_steel/QGYURvFA">carbon steel</a> metal exfoliates when oxidized under neutral or alkaline micro-electrolytic conditions; i.e., the <a href="/facts/Iron_oxide/KDo8hLWn">iron oxide</a> (actually <a href="/facts/Ferric_hydroxide/YpW6aAAS">ferric hydroxide</a> or <a href="/facts/Hydrated_iron_oxide/YpW6aAAS">hydrated iron oxide</a>, also known as <a href="/facts/Rust/sajUmaz8">rust</a>) forms by anoxic anodic pits and large cathodic surface, these pits concentrate anions such as <a href="/facts/Sulfate/yuWVxsUf">sulfate</a> and <a href="/facts/Chloride/m9NUaUDR">chloride</a> accelerating the underlying metal to corrosion. Carbon flakes or nodules in iron or steel with high carbon content (<a href="/facts/High-carbon_steel/QGYURvFA">high-carbon steel</a>, <a href="/facts/Cast_iron/lASt55k2">cast iron</a>) may cause an electrolytic potential and interfere with coating or plating. <a href="/facts/Ferrous_metals/AGImjWqq">Ferrous metals</a> are commonly anodized electrolytically in <a href="/facts/Nitric_acid/UDbwGp6s">nitric acid</a> or by treatment with <a href="/facts/Red_fuming_nitric_acid/nPLqRxdo">red fuming nitric acid</a> to form hard black <a href="/facts/Iron(II%2cIII)_oxide/8VzDaSxu">Iron(II,III) oxide</a>. This oxide remains conformal even when plated on wiring and the wiring is bent.
Anodizing changes the microscopic texture of the surface and the <a href="/facts/Crystal_structure/bJ4bCeHd">crystal structure</a> of the metal near the surface. Thick coatings are normally porous, so a sealing process is often needed to achieve <a href="/facts/Corrosion_resistance/lIC7H4we">corrosion resistance</a>. Anodized aluminium surfaces, for example, are harder than aluminium but have low to moderate wear resistance that can be improved with increasing thickness or by applying suitable sealing substances. Anodic films are generally much stronger and more adherent than most types of paint and metal plating, but also more brittle. This makes them less likely to crack and peel from ageing and wear, but more susceptible to cracking from thermal stress.

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Anodizing