Newbie Q's
Hi All
I've just anodised my first few items and have had success and failure at the same time. I'm thinking my success maybe down to luck but I'm unsure. I'm using a constant current power supply, worked out my surface area then used the 720 calculator to work out the amps and thickness required.
I set the part in the tank then set the amps on my power supply, I notice the voltage drops over time.
Q- Is this is normal as I have built up a thickness?
I then decided to place 4 parts in the tank. I worked out the individual surface area then multiplied this by the number of parts going in the tank.I noticed only one part had small bubbles coming from it so turned the power supply off, took the parts out and checked my connections. I placed them back in knowing I probably had some coating already. Again only one showed bubbles again I checked my connections and put them back in the tank.
Only one part still showed bubbles so I left them this time. By the time I took them out they had been in the tank for 1 1/2 hours at 3amps. All parts were going to be coloured 2 red 2 blue. The 2 blue came out really good although they were not in the dye as long as my 1st attempt as more anodise had been grown. The red- well here lies the problem one came out an interesting shade of pink and the other darker than a good red wine. I had noted which
part had shown bubbles in the ano tank, this is the one which turned out darker, it also has a very rough finish. Although this doesn't show in the picture very well. The bad red part is the small circular one sitting on top of red another part which I previously anodised
Q- Why did 1 part grow very little, 2 parts be ok and 1 part grow too much an
Is this problem just bad connections?
Parts placed in sealer, first thing I notice is a chalky residue on the fume balls,
I assume this is sealer evaporating with the water ?
When I remove the part it dries very quickly because of the heat, this leaves a chalky residue on the part and looks dull. I wash it with distilled water and unless I spray it straight away with WD40 the dull chalky finish stays. Please see pics, the red parts are two different parts anodised at different times.
Q- I am not washing this enough, why does this happen?
All of my tanks and solutions are new and I have been very careful not to contaminate any of them by making sure all parts are very well rinsed before the next stage. I have made sure my parts are away from the plates, that I have good agitation in Ano and Dye tanks.
Ano tank is heated to 68 degrees although this rises slightly during the process. My acid ratio is correct.
I was supplied an airstone to aggitate the water, not a good idea it fell apart after sitting in the Ano tank for 2 days, the solution in the Ano tank has since been replaced but after the above parts were anodised. Parts are held with welding rod, clamped through the tank bar.
Having said this I am really happy with the good parts, they are of a better colour than we have ever had done by our anodising shop they even feel different due to better sealing.
I know this is a massive post but I though it best I give a little background to my issues.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
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