Temperature limits

[sgunn911]

Does anyone know what temperature the anodize can withstand using this system? I have searched the topics, but only found very general statements that it has a high tolerance to heat. What do you think about anodizing an exhaust or heat sink? I know it's done with full scale anodizing methods, but did not know about the LCD method.

I know I post a lot of questions, but figure that's what a forum is for! I always try to search first though.

Thanks,
Scott

[Fibergeek]

There is no reason to think that LCD layers will behave any differently than any other Type II layer, LCD is Type II.

Nearly all ceramics exhibit very high heat resistance, and anodize is a ceramic. Ceramics, because of their extreme hardness are brittle. An internal combustion engine exhaust wouldn't be a good application, you would have to worry about the coating cracking do to the high mechanical vibration.

Heatsinks used in power electronics are traditionally anodized, have been for many years. If you see a black or metallic colored heatsink, it more than likely is anodized and dyed.

Anodic layers can stand up to temperatures well over 1000 deg. C. The aluminum base metal will melt first cracking the anodize, with sustained heat.

[sgunn911]

Actually, I have seen a number of heatsinks and exhaust pipes on nitro powered RC trucks, some from the factory (XTM Mammoth). I just didn't know if this system would work. I have also seen a post somewhere in here about a guy who restores older OS engines, and has several pictures, but I can't find it again.

Thanks for the reply on the temp specs.

[Fibergeek]

I looked up XTM Mammoth; a "whopping 2.6 horsepower", now I undertand, I was assuming real full size vehicles, not models. By "nitro" you mean nitromethane, right?

[NeoMoses]

My experience with high heat and Caswell kit anodizes is limited, but usually you will see a shift in the dye color and possible cracking once you reach temperatures over 300 degrees. The cracking is due to the differences in thermal expansion ratios between aluminum and the ceramic aluminum oxide. It is worse around tight radii and sharp corners.

How high of temperatures are you planning on running?