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Anodizing

Metallurgical Engineering

Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process that thickens the natural oxide layer on the surface of a metal part, most often aluminum, to improve its corrosion resistance and surface hardness. First used industrially in 1923 to protect aircraft parts, it remains a standard surface treatment in aerospace and consumer goods manufacturing. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Core Principle
An electric current is passed through an electrolyte with the metal part as the anode, growing a thicker, more durable oxide layer on its surface than would form naturally. 1
Origin Year
1923 1
Connections

Associated With

Aluminum, Materials
Source Anodizing (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Aluminum, Materials

Anodizing thickens the natural oxide layer on aluminum for corrosion and wear resistance.

Materials Engineering, Fields

In Field

Metallurgical Engineering, Fields
Source Anodizing (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Sources
1. Anodizing (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
  • lead sentence
    Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts.
  • History section
    Anodizing was first used on an industrial scale in 1923 to protect Duralumin seaplane parts from corrosion. This early chromic acid-based process was called the Bengough-Stuart process.
  • Associated With: Aluminum, Aluminium section
    Anodic films are most commonly applied to protect aluminium alloys, although processes also exist for titanium, zinc, magnesium, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, and tantalum.
  • In Group: Steel Heat Treating and Finishing, Introduction
    Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts.
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