In this article, we’ll explore the anodizing process for aluminum, its various applications, and why more and more professionals are choosing this material.
Table of contents:
Anodized aluminum is aluminum that has undergone an electrochemical treatment known as anodizing, which alters the metal’s surface layer to make it more resistant to corrosion, wear, and atmospheric agents.
Unlike natural aluminum, which tends to oxidize over time, anodized aluminum has a compact surface protected by a thin oxide layer formed during the process. This makes it particularly suitable for sectors where durability, aesthetics, and resistance are crucial: construction, interior design, automotive, electronics, and architecture.
Anodizing is a controlled electrochemical process that modifies the aluminum surface, increasing its resistance without altering the material’s internal structure.
Depending on the final application, you can choose between two main types of anodizing: decorative (or thin) and hard.
Each has distinct features and specific uses. Let’s look at them in detail.
Also known as decorative anodizing, this is the most common treatment when a visually appealing yet protected aluminum finish is desired. This type creates a thin oxide layer (about 5–20 µm), which provides good corrosion resistance.
It’s mostly used in architectural and design contexts, where both protection and visual impact are important. This treatment also allows for surface coloring in a wide range of shades—from black to bronze, blue to red—offering extensive customization options.
Hard anodizing is designed for applications requiring high mechanical or chemical resistance, where durability outweighs aesthetics. Here, the oxide layer can reach up to 100 µm in thickness, making the surface extremely hard, dense, and abrasion-resistant.
This treatment is ideal for advanced industrial sectors such as aerospace, mechanical engineering, hydraulics, and automation, where components must withstand friction, impacts, corrosive agents, or extreme environments.
Anodized aluminum is highly versatile and widely used in many industries:
What are the advantages of anodized aluminum compared to untreated aluminum?
What is natural anodized aluminum?
It’s anodized aluminum with no added color, featuring a typical matte silver-gray tone. It offers a uniform, modern, and professional finish.
How can you recognize anodized aluminum?
It has a smooth, matte or satin surface, free from visible scratches or imperfections, and often looks more “professional” than raw aluminum. To the touch, it feels harder and doesn’t leave any residue.
What colors does anodized aluminum come in?
It can range from natural silver to black, bronze, gold, blue, or red, thanks to the ability to add pigments during the process.
How strong is anodized aluminum?
Extremely strong. Hard anodizing can reach hardness levels up to 500 HV, making it suitable for heavy-duty use, with resistance to salt corrosion, chemicals, impacts, and abrasions.
Profall is an Italian company specializing in the production of custom aluminum profiles, including anodized ones.
Thanks to top-level technical expertise and state-of-the-art production facilities, Profall offers:
With 90% of its production dedicated to special profiles, Profall stands out for its technical know-how, production flexibility, and ability to handle complex projects with precision and reliability.
Explore all the anodized profiles available from Profall.
Need a custom anodized aluminum profile?
The Profall technical team is here to offer free consultations, even for complex projects.
Contact us today for a quote or more information!