Anodizing and powder coating are 2 main and popular surface finishing processes for aluminum casting. If you are choosing aluminum parts or products, they are good surface treatment methods. If you have been confused about the 2 processes, This article will introduce and compare the most popular surface finishing processes ( Anodizing vs Powder Coating ). So it can help you to understand them and make the right selection.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is another metal finishing process. It is a drying process. Do not use solvents. By this process, the product’s surface can create a protective and decorative layer.
In the Powder coating process, firstly, clean the aluminum parts. Then spread the powder with a spray gun. The gun makes a negative electrostatic charge on the powder. The powder is attracted to the grounded aluminum part. Then cured the parts in an oven to keep the powder remains on the surface of the part. Then keep drying. After drying, the powder layer turns into a uniform and solid layer.
Typical Applications of Powder Coating
Automotive Parts, Lawn Equipment, Playgrounds, Fire Hydrants
What is Anodizing?
Anodizing is a metal surface treatment process. It refers to a material protection technology that forms an oxide film on the surface of metal material in an electrolyte solution by applying an anode current. Also known as surface anodizing.
The so-called anodizing of aluminum is an electrolytic oxidation process. During this process, the surface of aluminum and aluminum alloys is transformed into an oxide film. This oxide film is protective and decorative. The anodization of aluminum only includes the formation of anodized film.
Typical Applications of Anodizing
Electronic Equipment, Automotive Components Furniture, Sporting Goods
Anodizing vs Powder Coating
The below table shows the comparison of anodizing vs powder coatings as aluminum part surface finishing processes.
| Powder Coating | Anodizing |
| Can be thick coats. Can not a thin layer. | Can be very thin. No changes to the part dimensions. |
| Variety in colors and textures can be! | Variety of metallic colors, smooth finishes. |
| No solvents. Very environmentally friendly. | Be environmentally friendly with electrolyte recycling. |
| Excelent corrosion resistance.But easier wear and scratch more than anodizing. | Good corrosion resistance, wear, scratch. |
| Very resistant to color fading. Even exposed to UV light. | With good sealing, can not be fading |
| There is Electrical conductivity in the coating. But not the same as pure aluminum. | Makes the aluminum surface electrically non-conductive. |
| Be More cost-effective than anodizing. | Be an expensive process. |
How to choose Powder Coating vs Anodizing Surface Finish?
The aluminum parts applications decided the part surface finishing. No matter tp choose anodizing or powder coating, both are environmentally friendly. Anodizing has excellent corrosion and wears a resistant character. And it can offer tight dimensional margins and a metallic appearance. So, if you need heat dissipation in your aluminum casting. Or if you need to glue or primer application. This process is a good choice.
If you are focusing on the part colors or textures, powder coating is a good choice. Compared with anodizing, it offers good protection at an affordable cost.
If you have any inquiries on aluminum casting on anodizing or powder coating finish, kindly contact us freely. info@jccasting.com