Eloxal

Brief technical description:

• Eloxal stands for the electrolytical oxidation of aluminium. In contrast with the electrolytical precipitation process, no coating is precipitated onto the component. Instead, a conversion process (oxidation) of the top aluminium layer of the component takes place. A 10-20 µm thick, very hard and wear-resistant surface with many capillary-like pores is formed. As the aluminium oxide layer grows from the surface into the metal, its adhesion to the substratum is particularly good. Highly decorative surface effects can be achieved by pre-treating the basic material mechanically or chemically. Eloxal coatings have very good insulation properties, as the layer consists of aluminium oxide which, in contrast with the base material, is not electrically conductive.

• Upstream and downstream processing steps such as blasting, pickling, polishing, but also passivation, chemical gloss or a PTFE coating to improve the gliding properties complete the range on offer.

Advantages:

• good corrosion protection for aluminium
• very decorative surface
• hardness up to 350 HV0.1

Please note:

• The pore structure results in a particularly good absorptive capacity for liquids. This effect is particularly used for colouring eloxal surfaces: the pores are filled with suitable colourants and then sealed. This process is chemically or electrolytically achieved, depending on the colours chosen and the light fastness required. A large range of colours with many colour samples is available, e.g. (Clariant)

Area of utilisation:

• Automotive and supplier industry (high-quality interior and exterior)
• Consumer (household appliances, designer and luxury items)
• Electrical equipment (front panels, plates, cooling elements, etc.)
• Electronics (housings, covers, etc.)
• Optics (lens components, camera housings, frames for the optical industry)
• Solar technology
• Packaging industry