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About a year ago I set up a small anodizing line according to the Caswells LCD guidelines. There's been a little bit of a learning curve, though for the most part things have been going smoothly. Just recently I went to run a batch and noticed the anodizing tank had taken on a reddish brown opaque hue. Until yesterday the tank had always been a translucent green/blue with a small amount of brownish material that would build up on the lead cathodes. Initially I thought it might just be from agitation, but a day later it still looks more or less the same. I might see if it settles out given more time.
Some details on the setup -
All tanks set up to the Caswells LCD spec
Almost exclusively anodizing 6061
Lead Cathodes, left in tank
Titanium Racking
Titanium aquarium chiller, little giant pump, all plastic fittings
Parts mostly tumbled with Agsco JC 212 R degreaser then degreased in SP degreaser tank
My understanding is that the color change could indicate copper contamination. But I thought that would be more of an issue with 2xxx and 7xxx alloys. And we've been pretty careful to keep copper and other metals away from the tank.
Any ideas what could have caused the change? Is it even an issue?
Cheers and thanks!
Some details on the setup -
All tanks set up to the Caswells LCD spec
Almost exclusively anodizing 6061
Lead Cathodes, left in tank
Titanium Racking
Titanium aquarium chiller, little giant pump, all plastic fittings
Parts mostly tumbled with Agsco JC 212 R degreaser then degreased in SP degreaser tank
My understanding is that the color change could indicate copper contamination. But I thought that would be more of an issue with 2xxx and 7xxx alloys. And we've been pretty careful to keep copper and other metals away from the tank.
Any ideas what could have caused the change? Is it even an issue?
Cheers and thanks!