Aluminium surface treatments for aerospace applications
Which aluminium surface treatment fits your aerospace application?
In aerospace, you do not choose an aluminium surface treatment based on intuition, but on load, environment, and alloy. Our engineers look beyond the surface and always validate with test coatings. This ensures that your profile performs in practice – lightweight, dimensionally stable, and corrosion-resistant.
For 6xxx and 7xxx alloys, the right treatment is crucial: these alloys are often used in components where weight, corrosion protection, and tolerance are decisive.
The best aluminium coating for 6xxx/7xxx alloys in aerospace
- Maximum corrosion protection in humid or chemical environments → Hard anodizing or chemical nickel
- Wear resistance for moving components → TUFRAM® (aluminium aerospace coating) or hard anodizing
- Thermal stability at high temperatures and pressure differences → Anodizing with specific sealing or TUFRAM®
- Cr6-free and REACH-compliant alternative → Sustainable aluminium coatings that combine protection and circularity
We always provide advice through co-engineering and, if necessary, test coatings, so you can be certain that the chosen treatment will reliably perform under aerospace-specific conditions.
The Surface Selector
Are you looking for the right aluminium coating for your profile or component? We’ll work with you to determine the best aluminium surface treatment based on the application and the properties you require.
Use our Surface Selector and we’ll provide you with tailored advice.
Whether it’s wear resistance, corrosion protection, Cr6-free alternatives or visual requirements, we’ll help you make the right choice.
Start with The Surface Selector
Concrete benefits of aluminium coating in aerospace
Combine low weight, corrosion protection, and dimensional stability in one solution.
- Weight & fit: layer build-up tailored to critical fitting surfaces; <10 μm deviation achievable.
- Visual requirements (interior/cockpit): Mechanical and/or chemical pre-treatment and color are possible.
- Corrosion: 336–720 h NSS achievable; sealing adapted to the environment.
- Wear/tribology: TUFRAM® or hard anodizing for rails, locks, and guides.
- REACH/ROHS, Cr6-free: Surtec® 650.
Our technology in practice
A customer in the aerospace industry was looking for an anodized layer that complies with REACH while at the same time providing maximum corrosion resistance for structural components in the aircraft cabin.
After a process of test coatings and adhesion tests, they chose a hard anodized layer combined with a specific sealing for extra resistance against humid airflows.
- ≥480 h NSS (ISO 9227) without breakthrough
- Dimensional variation on critical fit <8–10 μm
- Cr6-free and suitable for aerospace applications
We’d be happy to help you with similar issues too! Please feel free to request a quote.
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Are your aluminium coatings for aerospace REACH-compliant and Cr6-free?
Yes, all our aluminium surface treatments for aerospace applications are carried out with Cr6-free processes and are fully REACH-compliant. This ensures compliance with the strictest aerospace standards as well as sustainability.
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Which aluminium surface treatment is suitable for 7xxx alloys in aerospace applications?
For aerospace profiles in 7xxx alloys, we often recommend an aluminium coating process such as hard anodizing or TUFRAM®. These treatments combine high wear resistance with excellent corrosion protection.
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Can aluminium surface treatments such as anodizing show color variation between different batches?
Not at Mifa. We maintain strict control of our process baths and procedures, which are carried out in a fully automated process line.
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How do aluminium coatings for aerospace perform under extreme conditions such as temperature fluctuations and moisture?
Our aluminium surface treatments for aerospace applications can, if necessary, be tested through trial coatings and measurement reports. Think of corrosion testing, adhesion, roughness checks, and climate tests. This way you can be sure that the chosen coating is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and fluctuating temperatures.
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Are aluminium coatings for aerospace profiles compatible with assembly and adhesive bonding techniques?
Yes. In our recommendations, our engineers take into account post-treatments such as bonding, adhesive bonding, and assembly processes. Aluminium surface treatments are therefore selected to be both functional and practically applicable throughout the entire aerospace chain.
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Does Mifa operate according to AS9100 processes?
Yes. We safeguard every project under the AS9100 quality management system (Aalberts Group) with traceability and measurement reports.
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Can you validate against aerospace standards?
On request. We align this with your program and specifications.
Mifa is part of Aalberts N.V.
Mifa Aluminium is part of the publicly listed company Aalberts. In addition to offering various surface treatments in-house, at Mifa we outsource certain treatments to sister companies under Aalberts Surface Technologies. This enables us to offer the best possible end product at all times.
Would you like more information about aluminium surface treatments for the aviation industry?
Call or E-mail Fons
Manager Surface Treatment