Return-Path: Received: from mail.cruzio.com ([208.226.92.37]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.1.2 release (PO203-101c) ID# 0-44819U2500L250S0) with ESMTP id AAA6924 for ; Thu, 17 Sep 1998 02:52:23 -0400 Received: from testelectronics.mail (sa-207-251-8-101.cruzio.com [207.251.8.101]) by mail.cruzio.com with SMTP id XAA22173 for ; Wed, 16 Sep 1998 23:52:17 -0700 (PDT) Received: from main [192.168.1.1] by testelectronics.mail [192.168.1.1] with SMTP (MDaemon.v2.5.rB.b2.32-R) for ; Wed, 16 Sep 98 23:48:45 -0700 Received: by localhost with Microsoft MAPI; Wed, 16 Sep 1998 23:48:45 -0700 Message-ID: <01BDE1CC.8ACB9E20.ed@testelectronics.com> From: Ed Armstrong Reply-To: "ed@testelectronics.com" To: "Lancair [Lancair.List@Olsusa.Com] (E-mail)" Cc: "'mreinath@mail.arc.nasa.gov'" Subject: Anodizing Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 23:48:43 -0700 Organization: Test Electronics X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> I did some checking with the local plating shops and was told that there are 2 basic types of aluminum anodizing, type I and type II Mike Reinath San Jose, CA Hi Mike, It helps me to avoid using the terminology type I and type II. I recommend using the nick names "hard anodizing" or "soft anodizing" every one understands it, and it never leads to confusion by mixing them up. Soft anodizing is the cosmetic stuff, and rubs right off. Yes, soft anodizing will give you more color choices, but the stuff is just decorative. Soft anodizing will fade in a couple years just from handling. I wouldn't even use it for nonstructural parts inside the cockpit. Hard Anodizing will withstand a lot more abrasion, and will protect your aluminum against salt water corrosion. My favorite Anodizer in our San Jose CA area is MS Anodize 354 Umburger unit 11. Talk to Steve or John (408) 224-0370. They have a lot of color choices in hard anodizing. If you give them some extra scrap pieces of your aluminum, they can run a test batch and better match the color shade that you want. There is also Electroless Nickel in Santa Clara (408) 496-0740. Despite their name, they also do anodizing. However they kind of got too big over the years. They are usually a bit more expensive, have a longer turnaround, and won't give your project much personal attention. Most people like the looks of the lighter shiny silvery shades of all the colors. However, take into consideration that the color shade of the anodizing darkens with the thickness of the aluminum oxide buildup. So, for purposes of durability, it is usually more desirable to have your color of choice come out on the slightly uglier darker side. Regards, Ed Watsonville CA.