Technology and Gadgets

How to perform Aluminium Anodising at Home

Planning on performing some aluminium anodising at home? Here is how:

Before you start:

-Finish your piece properly. Anodizing will not cover up imperfections. Clean and smooth all surfaces. Ideally prepare with caustic soda solution until it is peroperly greyed.

-Cover working area with something disposable in case of spillage. Keep a bucket of alkali handy to neutralise the acid should an emergency occur.

-Make sure you adhere to proper safety protocols – safety glasses, overcoat, gloves, etc. Be safe!

-Allow only lead or aluminium to be suspended in the acid solution!

Ready to go?

-Create the electrolyte by adding 2 parts sulphuric acid to 8 parts distilled water

-Suspend the piece in the acid using aluminium wire. Ensure this constitutes a good electrical connection. This will comprise the anode in the electrolytic reaction

-Suspend a lead cathode which is at least twice the surface area of the anode in the acid bath

-Attach the power supply to the process – anode should be positive and cathode should connected to the negative terminal. Run at 12v for about 45 minutes. The acid will bubble and fizz a little, but the acid should not be allowed to significantly heat up.

-Remove the part, wash it with distilled water.

-If you require, now is the point that you should submerge the part in a dye for around 15 minutes. Afterwards, the part should be boiled to seal the dye.
aluminium anodising, electrolysis, metalwork, finishing, metal dye

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