Overview:
Anodising successfully combines science with nature to create one of nature’s best metal finishes. 

What Is Anodising?
Anodising is a controlled electro-chemical process that uniformly creates a thick oxide film as part of the aluminium itself.  The specification for the thickness of the anodised oxide film depends on the required application and location, and is measured in microns.  Generally, the greater the thickness of oxide, the greater the ability to withstand harsh corrosive conditions.

Anodising is an extremely hard, durable and resistant finish to severe environmental conditions such as UV, and harsh coastal extremes.  The unique anodised finish is the only one in the metals industry that satisfies each of the factors that must be considered when selecting a high performance aluminium finish.

Durability:  Most anodised products have an extremely long life span and offer significant economic advantages through maintenance and operating savings.  Anodising is an integrated finish with the underlying aluminium for total bonding and unmatched adhesion.

Colour Stability:  Exterior anodic coatings provide good stability to ultraviolet rays and do not chip or peel.

Ease of Maintenance:  Scars and wear from fabrication, handling, installation, frequent surface dirt, cleaning and usage are virtually non-existent.  Rinsing or mild soap and water cleaning usually will restore an anodised surface to its original appearance.

The Anodising process :

	1. Nuclei form on the surface of the aluminium at the start of the oxidisation process
	2. The oxide spreads across the surface and pores form, which become uniformly spaced
	3. Hexagonal cells form, perpetuating the pores
	4. The barrier layer continues to reform as the oxide grows

Anodising Options:
Anodising is available in film thickness of 12.5, 15, 20 and 25 microns:

10-15 microns  Residential
15-20 microns  Light Commercial
20-25 microns High rise, industrial or coastal environments, or where maintenance does not occur regularly.

Colour Range:
Anodising produces a transparent oxide film so that the attractive natural metallic appearance of the material is preserved.  This process optimises the hardness and abrasion resistance of the film and provides maximum resistance to weathering.  To produce colours an electro-chemical colouring process is used to deposit inorganic salts into the open pores created during anodising.

To receive an Anoguard wallet containing colour samples of anodised metal please contact Keri O'Neil