Hardcoating
Hardcoat (Hard Anodize) involves converting an aluminum surface into aluminum oxide using a sulfuric acid electrolyte. The process involves both penetration and build up on all affected surfaces to desired thicknesses.
Hardcoat is similar to sulfuric acid anodizing, though hardcoating baths typically run at lower temperatures, higher amperages and higher voltages.
Dav-Tech Hardcoat Anodizing Properties
| Thickness | .002″ to .004″ |
| Penetration | 50% |
| Buildup | 50% |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent Can be processed to meet specific requirements. |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent Can be processed to meet specific requirements. |
| Available Finishes |
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| Reference Specifications | Meets or exceeds all requirements of:
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| Compliance |
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Benefits of Dav-Tech Hardcoat Anodizing
Dav-Tech Plating’s hardcoat anodizing, when properly applied, can enhance the ability of a light metal (aluminum) to withstand heavy wear application as well as severe corrosive environments.
Other benefits of Dav-Tech Hardcoat include:
Abrasion, corrosion and erosion resistance
Low coefficient of friction
Flame resistance
Dielectric properties
Excellent heat emissivity
Safe for food stuffs (cookware)
Non-contaminating to blood supplies (medical instrumentation)
Ceramic-like
Lightweight
Applicable to most aluminum alloys
Planning for Dav-Tech Hardcoating
The total thickness of the anodic coating produced during hardcoating is 50% penetration and 50% buildup. This penetration feature renders the coating integral with the substrate and differentiates it from other electrolytic coatings.
It also requires planning of critical dimensions on parts that need to be hardcoated.
Example: A 1.000” diameter shaft hardcoated .002” will increase to 1.002″ as a final diameter, representing a .001″ buildup per side. Similarly, a 1.000″ bore will decrease to .998″.
The typical hardcoating thickness of .002” to .004” can be controlled to close tolerances and can be finished by precise abrasive methods to meet extremely fine dimensional requirements.