Anodic Printing

The principle of anodising developed out of aluminium's ability to form an oxide layer which can be electrochemically produced under controlled conditions to provide thick protective coatings. In essence the process consists of passing an electric current through an acid solution in which the immersed aluminium component acts as the anode, and aluminium or lead typically provides the cathode.

During the process electrolysis breaks down the water into oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen combines with the aluminium to produce aluminium oxide and the hydrogen is liberated. The anodic oxide coating produced by anodising is able to absorb inks and pigments during processing.

Some alloys give a better cosmetic finish than others when anodised