- Apr 18, 2001
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I've got some aluminum (or similar alloy) parts that are anodized. I want to remove the anodizing without damaging the underlying metal. Any suggestions?
That would damage the underlying metal, would it not?Originally posted by: Harvey
Anodizing is very thin coating of aluminum oxide, the same material as sapphire, rubies, and the abrasive, carburundum. You can grind or sand it off to the bare aluminum below the surface with a fine grit, durable sanding paper. Since it's quite hard, you can't use cheap sandpaper. You'll probably want to polish the surface when you're done.
Originally posted by: Harvey
Anodizing is very thin coating of aluminum oxide, the same material as sapphire, rubies, and the abrasive, carburundum. You can grind or sand it off to the bare aluminum below the surface with a fine grit, durable sanding paper. Since it's quite hard, you can't use cheap sandpaper. You'll probably want to polish the surface when you're done.
Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Originally posted by: Harvey
Anodizing is very thin coating of aluminum oxide, the same material as sapphire, rubies, and the abrasive, carburundum. You can grind or sand it off to the bare aluminum below the surface with a fine grit, durable sanding paper. Since it's quite hard, you can't use cheap sandpaper. You'll probably want to polish the surface when you're done.
But then you expose fresh aluminum to the atmosphere, which will react with atmospheric oxygen, thus forming a layer of... aluminum oxide on the surface.
Really. Pure aluminum reacts with air to form aluminum oxide. The only way to prevent it is to coat the aluminum with something to keep it from the air.
Anodized aluminum leaves a layer of alumina on the surface which is thicker than it would be if it formed naturally. Maybe he just wants bare metal so he can get a powdercoat done, or maybe even just a normal paint job.Originally posted by: NogginBoink
But then you expose fresh aluminum to the atmosphere, which will react with atmospheric oxygen, thus forming a layer of... aluminum oxide on the surface. Really. Pure aluminum reacts with air to form aluminum oxide. The only way to prevent it is to coat the aluminum with something to keep it from the air.Originally posted by: Harvey Anodizing is very thin coating of aluminum oxide, the same material as sapphire, rubies, and the abrasive, carburundum. You can grind or sand it off to the bare aluminum below the surface with a fine grit, durable sanding paper. Since it's quite hard, you can't use cheap sandpaper. You'll probably want to polish the surface when you're done.
Originally posted by: Howard
BTW, the best way is to dip the part in chromic-phosphoric acid. Don't even think of trying this yourself.