A Unique Process for the Bulk Anodizing of Small Aluminum Parts

Currently, small aluminum parts are racked on aluminum prongs for anodizing which is time consuming, ineffective and costly. Bulk anodizing of small parts without the need for individual racking of parts has become a necessity for anodizing small arms parts to reduce cost, and enhance performance and reliability including uniformity of the anodized layer. Barrel type anodizing in state-of-the-art acid solutions is not effective due to the intermediate and poor anodic electrical contact. A different green manufacturing approach not involving solutions that achieves a conductive medium orders of magnitude more conductive than acid anodizing solutions permits bulk barrel type processing to achieve a uniform anodic oxide conversion coating on small aluminum parts at a foster rate. A small scale system will be fabricated without the need for individual racking of parts and bulk processing demonstrated to produce uniform oxide conversion layers/anodization on several aluminum alloys which will be characterized and compared to state-of-the-art anodizing processes. A conceptional pilot design for bulk anodizing will be prepared.