Anodic Oxidation of Aluminium and Its Alloys focuses on the basic principles of anodic oxidation, choice of materials, pretreatment, design, properties of the anodic film, testing, and maintenance. Organized into 16 chapters, this book begins with the principles of anodizing; applications of anodized aluminum; factors influencing the choice of grade of aluminum for anodizing; and factors influencing the choice of anodizing process. Subsequent chapters explain designing for anodizing; anodizing equipment; jigging (racking) methods for anodizing; chemical treatment processes before anodizing; and the anodizing process. The coloring, sealing, and stripping of the anodic coating; testing anodized aluminum; properties of anodized aluminum; maintenance of anodized aluminum; and effluent treatment for anodizing plants are also described. This text will be useful to students, technicians, product designers, architects, and engineers in the aluminum industry.

In this book, the history of the concepts critical to the discovery and development of aluminum, its alloys and the anodizing process are reviewed to provide a foundation for the challenges, achievements, and understanding of the complex relationship between the aluminum alloy and the reactions that occur during anodic oxidation. Empirical knowledge that has long sustained industrial anodizing is clarified by viewing the process as corrosion science, addressing each element of the anodizing circuit in terms of the Tafel Equation. This innovative approach enables a new level of understanding and engineering control for the mechanisms that occur as the oxide nucleates and grows, developing its characteristic highly ordered structure, which impact the practical function of the anodic aluminum oxide.