Cast Plate
The type of finish a project gets is hotly debated these days. Metal components of manufactured goods, particularly aluminum, tend to receive one of two types of coatings: anodized or powder coating.
When it comes to anodizing aluminum vs. powder coating, it can be difficult to see the difference between the two. The final result of the two processes appear to be similar. However, they are two very different processes down to the chemical reactions involved in producing them. These differences amount to substantial differences between how the coating on the finished product reacts, the amount of time it lasts, and the ultimate lifespan of the finished product.
Options When Anodizing Aluminum
At the most basic level, the difference between anodizing and powder coating is that powder is an organic coating, or a protective coating containing carbon, while anodizing is a metal oxide coating. In the aluminum anodizing process the base metal workpiece is inserted into an acid bath where it serves as the anode—negative pole—in an electrical circuit. This frees up aluminum atoms that bond with oxygen that form a thicker layer of aluminum oxide than would be formed naturally. This creates a hard surface that resists corrosion and wear.
While there are different levels of anodizing, they are all creating a similar oxide layer. The difference lies mainly in the strength of the acid. Stronger acids increase the thickness of the oxide layer. Thicker layers can withstand more. There are roughly four types of anodizing:
Of the four anodization processes, the most directly comparable to powder coating is hardcoat anodizing. The process allows for the introduction of different materials into the anodization process that creates a unique surface with different properties that can make the resulting product more useful in certain roles, like bearings, that make contact with other parts under corrosive or high-heat environments.
The advantages of powder coatings is that there is a wide range of options available from color to the chemistry of the coating used. However, an important difference is that powder coating is essentially a very strong paint and not suitable for surfaces that will encounter direct contact, mechanical wear, or intense heat or chemical corrosion.
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Types of Powder Coating
Powder coatings start off—unsurprisingly—as a fine powder that is applied to a part or component. The powder is fine enough that it electrostatically sticks to the component. Once a satisfactory coating of powder is applied the part is then baked or exposed to UV light to melt the powder into a uniform film across the surface of the workpiece. Since there is no liquid solvent involved, this powder coating process can allow for some very thick coating across a workpiece without creating runs or sagging in the coating. The biggest advantage of powder coating though is probably the sheer variety of coating types available.
These different powder coating types can also be combined either by multiple powders going into a single layer before curing, or additional layers being added after curing. This allows for a variety of effects. On the cosmetic side different colors and finishes can be added. On the more practical side, combining different layers like covering an epoxy base coat with a fluoropolymer protects the epoxy coat from UV rays that would damage it. This ability to mix and match as needed, and get desirable results is the biggest advantage of powder coating vs anodizing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Anodizing Aluminum vs. Powder Coating
The major advantage of anodizing aluminum vs. powder coating is that the anodized coating process creates a coating that is ionically bonded to the aluminum substrate. It is substantially more difficult to remove than a layer of powder coat which is a film that is mechanically bonded to the aluminum like a glue or layer of paint. Since aluminum forms a layer of oxides when exposed to the atmosphere under normal circumstances the anodized surfaces are in some respects self repairing even if it they are scratched or damaged through to the substrate. Although this freshly generated layer will be much thinner than an anodized coating.
This strong electrochemical process means that an anodized coating is much stronger and longer lasting than most powder coatings. The disadvantages of anodized coating aluminum are cost, smaller color and texture selection, and inconsistent alloy reaction.
In contrast, powder coating can be applied to any aluminum alloy. In fact it can be applied to plastics, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and all manner of composites. While it does not bond to the substrate at the molecular level, the bond it does have with the substrate isn’t exactly weak. Although you wouldn’t expect a powder coat metal surface to hold up inside of an automotive engine, powder coating is frequently used to give engine manifolds and automotive rims a more colorful and pleasing appearance. Anodizing is also used in this role, although it is used more often for production parts rather than custom products from small shops.
When it comes to anodizing aluminum vs. powder coating there isn’t really a clearly superior choice, because even though they are different processes they are comparable in many ways. The only clear advantage is that anodizing performs significantly better under UV and other weathering conditions than powder coating. Although fluoropolymers weather better than other powder coat options they’re still not as long lasting as anodized coatings. This means anodizing is a better option for architectural aluminum that is expected to last for decades while powder coating may be a more affordable option for architectural trim aluminum that may be replaced as soon as trends change. Whatever coating option is chosen, it should be paired with quality aluminum.