Aluminum is a very versatile metal. It is currently only second to steel as a structural component. Finished aluminum produces a metal capable of addressing many issues faced by those in the automotive industry. Aluminum anodizing is one finishing process embraced by those automobile companies in Georgia and elsewhere in the United States, looking to improve the overall functionality, durability, and aesthetics of their products.
The Process
An electrochemical method, it converts the metal surface of aluminum – although magnesium and other nonferrous metals can also be anodized, into a finish that offers several desirable qualities including:
- Durability
- Corrosion resistance
- Weather resistance
- Aesthetic attractiveness
This porous anodic oxide finish makes aluminum more favorable for use in the automotive industry.
Common Automotive Applications
When it comes to using anodized aluminum, it is hard to beat the automotive industry for the variety and sheer numbers. Anodizing aluminum has allowed its use in literally thousands of applications with finishing chops producing hundreds of products and components. Among the most common automotive applications of anodized aluminum are:
- Air filter covers
- Battery cases
- Carburetors
- Control panels
- Fittings e.g., brake calipers, brake lines, cooling lines hydraulic lines
- Fuel-handling tanks
- Lower transom units
- Mirror Housings
- Motorcycle front forks
- Nameplates
- Piston rings for Indy Cars
- Transmission spools and spindles
- Trim Parts including those for the windows for buses and trains
From the above list, it is obvious that anodized aluminum parts are omnipresent in the automotive industry.
Anodizing Aluminum
In Georgia, finishing companies and manufacturers understand the capabilities of aluminum to address various problems. By anodizing aluminum, it is possible to further increase the metal’s properties of durability and corrosion/chemical resistance. Furthermore, the process increases rather than decreases the overall physical appearance of any component made from this metal. In the automotive industry, this combination of aesthetics and functionality is the ultimate goal.
