Anodizing

Wilson Partitions’ Anodizing Process

Steps 1 & 2: Cleaning

Aluminum extrusions are first cleaned in soap and a hot water tank in order to get rid of contaminants including dirt and light oils.

Extrusions are then rinsed in order to remove all byproducts of the previous stage.

Step 3: Etching

This process places aluminum extrusions into a caustic bath designed to get rid of light scratches and develop a smooth, matte finish.

Step 4: Deoxidizing and Desmutting

Aluminum extrusions are rinsed a number of times and then placed into an acidic rinse in order to remove residue that may be left over from the previous caustic bath. After another rinsing, extrusions are now ready for anodizing.

Step 5: Anodizing Aluminum

Aluminum extrusions are placed in a sulfuric acid anodizing tank. Anodizing leaves behind a hard, porous layer of aluminum and oxygen that is resistant against scratches and wear from the natural environment. Below is a picture of the basic structure of anodized aluminum.

Once coating is built to the required thickness, extrusions are sealed if the color desired is clear. Otherwise, extrusions are placed in the tin coloring tank.

Step 6: Electrolytic Coloring or “Two Step”

The pores created in the anodizing tank allows color to be deposited into it. Wilson Partitions deposits tin into the aluminum extrusions. The amount of tin that is deposited into the pores determine the resulting color. Light Champagne only requires 18 seconds while black ano takes about 12 minutes.

Step 7: Sealing the Anodic Coatings

Extrusions are then placed in the seal tank. This closes the pore structures so that colors remain permanent. It also makes the aluminum non-reactive, non-absorbing, and non-corroding. Extrusions are then rinsed in a hot bath in order to speed up the drying process.