Type III Anodizing

Gleco Plating offers Type III Anodizing for aluminum parts and products requiring increased surface hardness, thermal and dialectical properties, and wear/corrosion/abrasion resistance. Available in AMS 2468, AMS 2469, and Mil-A-8625, this finishing process increases the thickness of the naturally occurring oxide layer, giving it the name hard coating anodizing
Anodizing Process Options
The basic Type III Anodizing process involves:
- The aluminum part is connected to an anode.
- The part is submerged in an acidic electrolyte solution.
- A metal electrode is turned into a cathode.
- An electric current of up to 100 volts is added to the solution.
- The current is drawn across the anode to the cathode, depositing aluminum oxide onto the part.
Type III Anodizing can be employed in a nearly endless array of combinations of aluminum substrates, colors, and seals.
First, aluminum alloys that can be anodized include:
- 1,000 series
- 2,000 series
- 3,000 series
- 5,000 series
- 6,000 series
- 7,000 series
- Sand-cast
- Die-cast
Second, depending on the finishing process the anodized aluminum can be colored as:
- Undyed or clear
- Black
- Blue
- Red
- Yellow/gold
- Purple
- Green
- Brown
Finally, the anodized aluminum can be sealed using:
- Hot deionized water
- Nickel acetate
- Impregnated Teflon
- Sodium dichromate
Benefits of Type III Anodizing
Type III Anodizing is used as a finishing option for aluminum for its:
- Wear resistance: More than ten times more wear-resistant than ordinary anodized aluminum
- Hardness: Values of 500 to 530 VPN
- Heat resistance: Can withstand short exposure to temperatures up to 2000 degrees centigrade
- Corrosion resistance: Can pass the 1000-hour 5% salt-spray test
- Lubricity: For slide applications
Typical Anodizing III Applications
Type III anodized aluminum is often selected for aerospace, automotive, food manufacturing, robotics, and industrial applications such as:
- Valves
- Gears and pistons
- Actuating cams
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Swivel joints
- Sliding parts
- Hinge mechanisms
- Insulation plates
If you’re searching for a finish to keep your aluminum parts or products from corroding or wearing when exposed to the elements, contact Gleco Plating to discuss our Type III Anodizing services.