Keith Krome
Stainless
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Location
- Auburn, Alabama
I have a little experience getting items hard coat anodized (I've used a anodize shop and spec'd the anodize). Before I call the anodizer/plater I thought I'd ask my question here.
I have an item I'd like to make. I understand that it is recommended not to anodize threads due to unusual build up and also for galling and strength issues (hard coat anodize can crack easily and is bad for fatigue). I have seen hard anodized (HA) parts where the threaded portion was masked and later coated with Alodine. I have also seen aluminum with EN plating, which I understand is good for coating threads in aluminum as it provides lubricity and hardness to the thread.
So, my question is:
Is it possible to combine hard anodize and electroless nickel to the same part?
I understand that to do EN you must strip of any oxide layer, etch with a zinc coating, and then EN plate.
I understand that HA is an oxide layer. Could one combine the two on a single part by order of operations and careful masking? Can you mask the portion to be anodized, EN plate the other areas of the part, and then HA the area that was previously masked? Or could you mask the area for EN plating, anodize the part, then mask the HA area, and EN plate the rest?
Or is all this way to complex?
My part idea is a tube with threaded ends. The inside and threads I'd like to have EN plated for electrical conductivity and good thread wear characteristics, and the outside of the tube I would like to be HA for wear resistance.
any anodizers and platers out there?
Thanks,
Keith
I have an item I'd like to make. I understand that it is recommended not to anodize threads due to unusual build up and also for galling and strength issues (hard coat anodize can crack easily and is bad for fatigue). I have seen hard anodized (HA) parts where the threaded portion was masked and later coated with Alodine. I have also seen aluminum with EN plating, which I understand is good for coating threads in aluminum as it provides lubricity and hardness to the thread.
So, my question is:
Is it possible to combine hard anodize and electroless nickel to the same part?
I understand that to do EN you must strip of any oxide layer, etch with a zinc coating, and then EN plate.
I understand that HA is an oxide layer. Could one combine the two on a single part by order of operations and careful masking? Can you mask the portion to be anodized, EN plate the other areas of the part, and then HA the area that was previously masked? Or could you mask the area for EN plating, anodize the part, then mask the HA area, and EN plate the rest?
Or is all this way to complex?
My part idea is a tube with threaded ends. The inside and threads I'd like to have EN plated for electrical conductivity and good thread wear characteristics, and the outside of the tube I would like to be HA for wear resistance.
any anodizers and platers out there?
Thanks,
Keith