Mobile Full Width Tablet Small Desktop
  • Home
  • Services
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Get A Quote
  • Home
  • Services
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Get A Quote

Anodizing vs. Chromating – Metal Fabrication Finishes

Anodizing vs. Chromating – Metal Fabrication Finishes

June 26, 2020 10:18 am

Chromated Machined Gears and Screws

 

If you are a regular reader of our blogs, it has probably become apparent the metal fabrication is an intricate and involved process.  Of all the stages involved, one of the last, yet most important, is choosing the right finish.  While we prefer to finish with a powder coat application done in-house, there are moments when a powder coat will not suffice, in those instances, a chemical dip process will finish your metal parts and protect them.  While there are seemingly countless finishes to choose from, anodizing, and chromating are popular finish choices.  If you are not familiar with these finishes and the processes that go into creating them, keep reading.

What is Anodizing?

Anodized Caribiners

Anodizing is best described as a process by which metal is electrochemically converted into a durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish.  Anodized finishes are most often used for decorative purposes.  The best kind of metal for anodizing is aluminum.  Other nonferrous metals like titanium and magnesium can easily be anodized as well.

The anodizing process starts by soaking aluminum is a solution of acid electrolyte and running electric current through the bath.  Inside the tank, a negatively charged cathode is mounted.  Acting as an anode, the metal allows for the release of oxygen ions that interact with the metal’s atoms.  The result is anodization. This is a naturally occurring process that when carried out in a highly controlled environment, produces exacting results.

What is Chromating?

Chromate BearingsChromating is another popular finish for metals like zinc, magnesium, copper, tin, and aluminum.  Much like anodizing, chromating finishes are popular for their corrosion-resistant qualities.  Even though the finish is only a thin layer, it is highly durable and favorable when metals need to be transported.  Adhesion to organic coatings is yet another advantage of chromating finishes.

A popular finish for hardware like screws, hinges, and tools, the chromating process begins by immersing the chosen metal is a bath of chemicals until a film is formed.  Bath solutions can vary depending on the desired finish.  However, most consist of varying levels of hexavalent chromium compounds like chromates or dichromates.

Once the metal has been soaked, it has then removed, rinsed, and dried.  This simple process has gained increased popularity because it can be carried out at room temperature and only requires a few short minutes of immersion.

When chromating coats are first applied, they are somewhat soft and gelatinous.  As the finish continues to dry over the course of 24 hours, it hardens to the point that it becomes hydrophobic.

When carrying out the chromating finish process, safety is a paramount priority.  Hexavalent compounds have come under considerable scrutiny due to their carcinogenic nature.  Only a few shops remain in the Portland area that offers chromating because of these tight health-related regulations.  At Metafab, we have a long history of working with these shops and are able to offer quick turns when this process is needed.

Final Thoughts

There is no shortage of finishes to choose from for your metal prototypes.  With so many choices, making the right decision for your metal finish can be a confusing, if not daunting process.  At Metafab, we are happy to help you understand the different kinds of finishes and the processes by which they come about.  While we hope that you will select a powder coat finish, because we are able to perform that process quickly and control the quality by doing this in house, when anodizing or chromating is needed, we can help you with this too!  If you have questions or are curious to find out more, give us a call today.

 

META FAB IS READY FOR YOUR PROJECT

Meta Fab is a world class, full service, concept to finished goods metal manufacturing house with customers around the world. Get a quote today!

Get a Quote

Meta Fab Blog

  • General
  • Resources
  • Trends
  • Current Events

Post Archives

  • February 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019

META FAB IS READY FOR YOUR PROJECT

Meta Fab is a world class, full service, concept to finished goods metal manufacturing house with customers around the world serving the healthcare, computer, automotive, aviation, consumer electronics, computer peripheral, communications industries, among many more.

Get a Quote

Meta Fab

922 W. MAIN STREET
HILLSBORO, OR, 97123

Phone

503-640-2527

Email

sales@metafab.com

Site Links

  • Home
  • Services
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Get A Quote
© 2025 Copyright Meta Fab, Inc.  |  Terms and Conditions  |  Careers  |  Site by Deep Root Design

Get the Meta Fab Newsletter

Join 1,000's of other subscribers and get monthly updates and resources from Meta Fab.