tips for 2xxx series alloy?

[mkriegs]

I was reading through this old thread (Fibergeek's Anodization Curves, 1 of 3) for some info on 2000 series aluminum and gathered that if I want to anno 2x series aluminum properly I should raise my CD and chill the acid bath. Is this correct? I'm kind of assuming that these principles carry over to the newer LCD mentod. I don't see why they wouldn't, but I just wanted to check.

[acidrain]

My suggestion is this:
Don't change any of your ano perameters. Ano at the same temperatures and current densities, but cut down on your ano time for 2xxx and 7xxx alloys. The way you can tell what alloy it is, is by the smut. 2xxx and 7xxx smut a lot, while 5xxx and 6xxx smut very little, so:
For 5xxx and 6xxx, ano per 720 rule.
For 2xxx and 7xxx, calculate per 720 rule, then multiply the time by .75.

Example: to build 1 mil at 6 amps per square foot, the 720 calculator says ano for 2 hrs. Cut this down to 1.5 hrs for 2xxx and 7xxx alloys.

The colors will be very close between 2xxx and 6xxx if you follow this tip.

[mkriegs]

thanks, that helps a lot.

EDIT - one more question, if I'm running 2xxx and 6xxx in the same batch can I just take out the 2xxx parts 3/4ths of the way through and adjust the amps accordingly? or do they need to be run separately.

[Empire03]

Reduce by ~25%

5xxx and 6xxx alloys (@6ASF)
.5 mil - gold, clear, light colors 1 hr
.75 mil - medium colors like blue, orange, etc 1 h 30 m
1 mil - red and black 2 hr

2xxx and 7xxx alloys (@6ASF)
.5 mil 45 min
.75 mil 1 hr 12 m
1 mil 1 hr 30 min

theres ya some run times.

I often run all alloys together and just take the 2x and 7x out when there time is up.This does not work every time.It can cause the ps to jump and possibly cause the parts to lose connection.You also have to have the the sq area of the parts left in the tank that way you know how much to turn the amperage down.


Good luck man

[destroyer125]

I do 2xxx and 7xxx stuff half time and get the same results as 6061

[acidrain]

Originally Posted by mkriegs

thanks, that helps a lot.

EDIT - one more question, if I'm running 2xxx and 6xxx in the same batch can I just take out the 2xxx parts 3/4ths of the way through and adjust the amps accordingly? or do they need to be run separately.

I run mixed batches with two different power sources (both PS's connected to a common cathode). I seperate out the 2xxx and 7xxx and run them on one PS, and the 5xxx and 6xxx on the other. I wouldn't attempt removing part of the batch from a common PS.