Anodizing aluminium profiles means growing a protective oxide layer. The anodizing process steps are as follows: profiles are placed in an immersion bath containing sulphuric or chromic acid, which in turn leads to advantages like an improved protection of the metal. The metal serves as an anode, which is why we call this surface treatment anodizing. Mifa uses anodization to increase the overall quality of extrusion products.
Layer thicknesses from 5 to 20 µm can be achieved depending on the application of the profile, the desired layer properties, and other parameters. Only 1/3 of the oxide layer is built up; the rest penetrates the aluminium during anodizing. It is important to carefully consider this during the design phase, in order to get the highest quality anodized aluminium extrusions.
Surface treatment to improve products
Surface treatments improve your magnesium or aluminium components. Corrosion cannot take place, and wear resistance increases while friction decreases. When aluminium profiles are visible, an attractive surface is essential. Coatings can also provide this. All custom aluminium extrusion profiles benefit from an optimal surface treatment. Mifa can perform many different surface treatments. And if necessary, we can develop a tailor-made coating.
Mifa Surface Treatment focuses entirely on surface treatments for various markets, such as the automotive and aerospace industries.
Types of aluminium anodizing
At Mifa, we have three methods to anodizing aluminium profiles:
- Sulphuric acid anodizing.
- Hard anodizing of aluminium profiles.
- Technical anodizing.
- Chromic acid anodizing.
Almost all aluminium alloys can be anodized. The alloy is a determining factor for the colour of the anodized part. An alloy of the 3000 series turns grey, and a 7000 alloy turns gold. At Mifa however, we can supply the protective oxide layer in different colours. Black or orange are included in our package as standard. Other colours are always possible on request. Of course, you can also receive your anodized aluminium extrusion untreated and colorless. Here you will find more information about the different types of anodizing.
Sulphuric acid anodizing
Sulphuric acid anodizing is primarily used for corrosion protection and to maintain appearance. The thickness of the layer depends on the alloy and desired properties, typically ranging from 5 to 25 µm in practice.
Hard anodizing aluminium profiles
For hard anodizing, we use the HART-COAT® coating. This coating is specifically designed to enhance the functionality of aluminum materials. HART-COAT® provides numerous functional properties to aluminum materials. The achievable hardness of the HART-COAT® coating ranges between 400 and 500 HV0.025, depending on the composition and structure of the base material.
HART-COAT® imparts numerous functional properties to aluminum materials and can be used in a wide range of areas, such as:
- Machinery & Equipment
- Automotive
- Household appliance industry
- Medical equipment
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Defense technology
Technical anodizing
Another example of our anodizing aluminium processes, is by using technical anodizing. The main advantages are:
- Protection against corrosion
- Protection against wear
This way of anodzing is also known as normal anodizing. Next to the mentioned advantages, the coating is also used to improve aluminum parts in a more decorative way. The coating is performed in an acid electrolyte at temperatures slightly below room temperature. Make sure to contact us for more details on technical anodizing.
Anodizing layer properties
|
MAX. LAYER THICKNESS |
up to 20 µm |
|
CORROSION PROTECTION |
Max. 2,000-hour salt spray test – in conformance with DIN 50021 ESS |
|
HARDNESS |
approx. 250 HV 0.025 depending on the alloy |
|
GENERAL STANDARD |
MIL-A-8625F Type II |
Industrial coating for magnesium alloys
In addition to aluminum, we also anodize magnesium. For this purpose, we use MAGOXID-COAT®. MAGOXID-COAT® is a plasma-chemical surface treatment for improving magnesium alloys. The coating is applied in an electrolytic salt solution.
This surface treatment is a crystalline oxide ceramic with a high proportion of highly resistant compounds such as spinels, for example, MgAl2O4. The plasma-chemical process results in ceramic coatings that meet additional requirements in addition to wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant oxides, such as:
- Hardness
- Contour accuracy
- Flexural strength
- Dimensional stability
- Temperature stress
Mifa renews AS 9100 certificate
The aviation industry imposes strict quality and safety requirements on manufacturers and suppliers. Since 2013, Mifa has held the AS-9100 quality certificate for the aerospace industry, and we are proud to announce that the certificate has been renewed for the upcoming years. The renewal of the AS-9100 certificate demonstrates that Mifa and Mifa Surface Treatment prove that Mifa's production and business facilities meet the high-quality standards required by the aviation industry.
Would you like to know more about anodized aluminium profiles?
We understand that you may want to learn more about the anodizing of aluminum. We would be happy to provide you with more information. The easiest way is to fill out the contact form. We will then get in touch with you as soon as possible.
