TABLE 3.

12 Anodizing Thicknesses
Description
Thickness
(mils)
Thickness
(#m) AA Designation
Protective and Decorative t # 0.4 t # 10 A2#
Architectural Class II 0.4 # t # 0.7 10 # t # 18 A3#
Architectural Cass I t # 0.7 t # 18 A4#
Note:
1 mil # 0.001 in.
availability of other colors depends on the anodizing process used. These
processes, and the resulting typical colors, are summarized below:
Integral Coloring: The color is inherent in the oxide layer itself in this process
and ranges from pale champagne to bronze to black. This process has been
largely replaced by electrolytic coloring.
Electrolytic (two-step) Coloring: The first step in this process is to clearanodize
the surface, and the second is to deposit another metal oxide in the
pores of the aluminum by means of an electric current. Electrolytic deposition
of tin is commonly used as a more efficient method of producing the bronze
shades that have been associated with integral coloring. Shades of burgundy
and blue, which are achieved by modulating power-supply wave form or by
depositing copper salts, are also commercially available.
Impregnated Coloring: In this process, color is produced by the use of dyes.
While this allows a greater variety of color to be achieved, you should take
extreme care in selecting a dye that is suitable for exterior use. Only a handful
are colorfast, including a gold that has been used with good results and certain
reds and blues that have been reported to have superior performance. All
dyed, anodized coatings for exterior use should be processed to a Class I
coating thickness.
Anodizing may be specified in accordance with the Aluminum Association�s
Designation System for Aluminum Finishes (14). The nomenclature is illustrated
as follows:
Aluminum Association
Mechanical and Chemical Surface Preparation
AA MXX CXX AXX
Coloring Process
Architectural Class
where AA indicates Aluminum Association
M # prefix for mechanical finishes
C # prefix for chemical etches
A # prefix for the architectural class and coloring process to be used in
the anodizing.
Common mechanical and chemical preparations for anodizing are designated
M12 and C22, respectively. The architectural class designations are A3X for
Class II and A4X for Class I. The coloring process designations are:
AX1�Clear
AX2�Integral (no longer in common use)
AX3�Impregnated (dyed)
AX4�Electrolytic (two-step).