Cooling for type III

[496hemi]

With a 10 Gal tank what type of cooling systems are being used?

[Fibergeek]

A recirculating chiller, using a mechanical refrigeration unit is popular. These can be configured to provide the mandatory electrolyte agitation as well.
For my 5 gallon "research tank", a 1/4 HP chiller can deal with 300W of power dissipation and hold the electrolyte at 32 deg. F..

Be advised; Caswell Plating and I are not prepared to support Type III anodizing. If you get into trouble, you're on your own.

[496hemi]

We are going to give it a shot this spring. Just trying to eliminate as many problems as we can before we start. This should be a unique learning experience.

Ralph

[jtsuttle]

Originally Posted by Fibergeek

A recirculating chiller, using a mechanical refrigeration unit is popular. These can be configured to provide the mandatory electrolyte agitation as well.
For my 5 gallon "research tank", a 1/4 HP chiller can deal with 300W of power dissipation and hold the electrolyte at 32 deg. F..

Be advised; Caswell Plating and I are not prepared to support Type III anodizing. If you get into trouble, you're on your own.

Where is a good source for a chiller that is capable of circulating the acid? Right now I have an 18 gallon tank and will upgrading to about 30-50 gallon soon. Everything I have looked at is not acid proof and requires cooling coils to be installed around the outside of the ano tank.
Thanks in advance.

[Fibergeek]

Re-read the third sticky at the top of the page ("quick question about,,,")
on the second page M_D and I describe what we are using and where we got it.

If you want to get into Type III just for grins, that's fine. Its real different than Type II. Be sure to identify and understand all of the equipment requirements first. This can easily get to 3X - 5X more than a Type II setup of the same capacity.

Are you really sure you need Type III? It would be prudent for you to ask why, for your own sake you better have a real good technical answer.

(Hint; if its because you think Type III produces a harder coating you will be dissapointed, it ain't true.)

[jtsuttle]

Thanks Fibergeek. I've already been doing quite a bit of type III. I was just looking into some better cooling methods.

[Fibergeek]

No kidding, I'd like to talk to you offline; trade some technical observations.

One issue I've been struggling with:

How does one know that what was formed is Type III, and not just extra thick Type II ("Type II 1/2") with smaller than usual pores?

I can form coatings that measure 1 to 3 mils thick, have a dark grey to bronze natural color (depending on alloy) and are nasty to dye. But all this alone doesn't prove Type III. What I can't do is measure the coating density (coating measured weight for an accuratly known volume of the coating) this is the only conclusive test from what I have read. A Taber Abrasion Test can give an indirect indication, not that its much easier to do than a density measurement.

I'll just have to muster the nerve (and funds) to have some samples measured by a materials testing lab, and find out what it actually is.

[jtsuttle]

Originally Posted by Fibergeek

...One issue I've been struggling with:

How does one know that what was formed is Type III, and not just extra thick Type II ("Type II 1/2") with smaller than usual pores?...

I too have had the same concern. I have no way to prove that it is truely Type III. Basically, I use an additive from a well known supplier and follow the tech guys recommendations. Lucky for me, the parts that I've been doing do not have to pass any sort of testing, they just have to work (and that, they do). I'll dig up my info over the weekend and share what I've got with you. Feel free to contact me: jtsuttle@yahoo.com