Primary Keywords: anodizing aluminum costs

Secondary Keywords: costs of anodizing aluminum, anodize aluminum costs

LSI Keywords: CNC, parts, service, components, products, medical, aerospace, precision, shop, process

Keywords from Sheet: precision machining parts, machining shop, machined metal parts, custom metal fabrication, CNC machined parts, precision machining services

Meta Description: Wondering how much anodizing aluminum costs? Learn about factors affecting the price, like techniques, coating thickness, and more, and get cost estimates. 

——————————————————

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to transform plain aluminum into a beautiful anodized product? Anodizing is a process that can add striking colors and a durable oxide layer to aluminum surfaces. It’s used for manufacturing anodized aluminum tubing, precision machining parts, cookware, and many other things. In this article, we’ll explore how much anodizing aluminum costs.

The costs of anodizing aluminum can range in price from a few cents per square foot to a few dollars per square foot, depending on the size and intricacy of the job. The type of anodizing technique used, size, detail work, and coating thickness all factor into the final price.

Keep reading to learn various factors that affect the final costs of anodizing and get an estimation of expenses. 

Key Factors to Consider for Anodized Aluminum Cost

We’ve discussed the various factors that determine anodizing aluminum costs. Let’s check them out:

a. DIY or Shop

Whether you do the anodizing yourself or have a shop do the work can make a big difference in price.

If you want to try anodizing at home, it may not cost too much, depending on what tools you already have. It’s possible to set up a DIY system for around $30 if you already have some items, like an electrical box, wires, and the anodizing solution. In that case, you just need to purchase some small parts from a hardware store. But you need to have time and skills to do the process correctly.

A full anodizing kit to do small projects at home can be around $100. Bigger commercial kits might cost from one thousand to a few thousand dollars. Also think about other costs like protective equipment or replacement parts over time. Unless you plan to anodize aluminum as a hobby, having a shop do it may be more practical to save money in the long run.

Professional anodizing companies determine their prices based on things like the size, thickness, and type of aluminum. Generally, the bigger the project, the lower the per-square-foot cost will be. 

Most shops charge between $0.50 to $5 per square foot, depending on the material and process. The thickness of the aluminum also affects the cost, with thicker pieces costing more. Different coatings and colors can add to the price too.

b. Aluminum Parts Complexity

The complexity of the pieces plays a big role. Simple shapes that are smaller tend to be quicker and cheaper to anodize. But if you have parts that are tricky to cover evenly or need holes filled, the extra work increases the cost. Larger parts cost more too because they need more liquid solution, larger tanks and equipment. 

Also, complex pieces could be harder to fit into tanks. Workers also must take extra care not to damage fine edges or irregular surfaces during the process. You have to pay more for difficult designs and extra handling needs.

Keeping designs simple if possible helps save money. Try to choose sizes and shapes that are easy to immerse without lots of nooks and crannies. Reducing extra steps keeps the labor down.

c. Coating Thickness

Most people think that a thicker coating will cost more, but that’s not always the case. While a basic thickness is the most affordable, very thin or narrow coatings are actually more expensive to do. It’s easier to control a thicker layer of oxide on the metal. Getting an even finish that’s only a tiny bit thick, like less than one-thousandth of an inch, takes a lot more skill.

A worker must be highly experienced to do very precise and thin coatings. The equipment has to be very well adjusted too. All of this expertise and special equipment leads to a higher cost compared to a thicker coating that’s a bit easier.

So, when choosing a coating thickness for your aluminum, it’s best not to go too thin unless you really need to. A basic or medium thickness is often the most cost-effective choice. 

d. Dimension and Components of Anodized Aluminium

The size and number of pieces of aluminum you want to anodize affects the price. Bigger pieces of aluminum mean there’s more surface to cover. More surface takes more time and materials. That adds up when it comes to cost.

The dimensions of aluminum parts matter too. Thicker and longer pieces require more solution and electricity during anodizing than small machined metal parts. Workers also need special equipment to handle large aluminum. All of this costs money. Smaller pieces are quicker and easier to do.

e. Racking

Racking holds the aluminum during the anodizing process and provides an electrical connection. Different racking styles like weld, clamp, or bolt racking are options. Manufacturers will choose the most cost-effective racking that still gives good quality results. Anodizing aluminum costs can be higher if you request for a particular racking style.

The material used for racks is also something that impacts anodized aluminum cost. Aluminum or titanium racks are common choices. Suppliers will select the most affordable rack material that meets your job needs. If you have no preference, they’ll go with the cheapest option. Any special shelf requirements for your parts could drive the cost up too.

f. Anodizing Types

There are three different anodizing types with unique properties that can affect the final price. Let’s discuss them in detail: 

Type I

The most affordable of all options, Type I uses chromic acid in the electrolyte bath. Chromic acid is relatively inexpensive compared to other electrolytes. It also takes less energy to run since the voltage is kept at around 40 volts during the process. 

Another benefit is that Type I coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance despite being very thin, normally ranging from 0.08 to 0.2 mils thick. The oxide layer that forms is dense and protects the aluminum well. Even though it doesn’t offer much color variation, the coatings can take on a green tint when sealed, which makes them suitable for some applications.

Type II

Type 2 or sulfuric acid anodizing is the most common type of coating for aluminum parts. This method creates a protective aluminum oxide coating that gives the metal high hardness and resistance to abrasion and wear.

The anodizing type works well when you need strong protection against corrosion or abrasion. It’s often used for parts that see tough conditions, like in factories or machinery. Another benefit is that sulfuric acid anodizing allows colors to be added, which many manufacturers like for finished products. All these qualities make it a go-to option across many industries.

Another factor is what industry standard is being followed for the anodizing. A very common one, especially for aerospace, automotive, and medical use, is MIL-A-8625. Following this established standard ensures the coating meets specifications for corrosion resistance, coating thickness and other factors. Of course, meeting a strict standard tends to drive costs up compared to a more basic anodizing process.

Type III

Type III anodizing, also called hard anodizing, produces a thicker, harder oxide layer than other methods. However, it requires more expensive materials, such as sulfuric acid, instead of chromic acid. It also uses more electricity during the process.

This anodizing creates an oxide layer over 50 micrometers thick. This hardened surface improves attributes such as thermal and mechanical strength, wear and corrosion resistance, and the ability to hold lubricants. It results in uniformly coated aluminum parts.

While Type III anodizing carries a higher price tag, it provides superior performance for applications requiring an extremely durable finish. The military specification Mil-A-8625 established it as the standard for demanding conditions. 

The Final Cost Is…

We’ve already discussed that the final price depends on a few different things, like how big the parts are, what kind of anodizing it is, how thick the parts are, and a few more factors. Usually, anodizing costs between 50 cents to $5 for each square foot of part if you take the service of a machining shop.

Some other factors that affect the cost are how many parts you need done. A single small part might cost around $125 but if you get 5 of the same part done together, each one would be $24 and still take about a week. Getting 10 parts would lower the price to $12 each. 

Even bigger orders of 500 parts would be $2.20 each. But the cost will go down to $1.95 each if you place a large order like 1,000 parts.

The anodizing shop also looks at how complex the process is and how long you can wait. Doing the math is important to know the final price of getting your aluminum parts anodized.

Conclusion

This breakdown of factors will help you get an idea about the anodizing aluminum costs for your projects. Remember to get quotes from a few local shops to get the best price. Being aware of how costs are determined can empower you to make choices that minimize expenses.

Need custom metal fabrication or aluminum CNC machined parts? Zintilon delivers precision machining services and casting solutions. Contact us for a quote!

—————————————————