Materials & Finishes

• Type II (Standard): Decorative, corrosion-resistant, available in clear and dyed colors. Typical thickness: 0.0002"–0.001".
• Type III (Hardcoat): Thicker, more wear-resistant, suitable for functional and high-wear parts. Limed to clear, gray, or black.Typical thickness: 0.001"–0.004".
• Color Options: Clear, black, red, blue, green, gold, and more. Color may vary by alloy and thickness. Color matching is available on request with a provided sample.
• Notes: Not all alloys anodize equally well. Masking and selective anodizing available on request.

Specify anodizing type, color, and any masking requirements on your print or order.

• Type Offered: Mid-phosphorus (6–9% P, general purpose). Provides a balance of hardness, corrosion resistance, and appearance suitable for most applications.
• Benefits: Excellent corrosion resistance, improved wear resistance, uniform thickness, good solderability, and enhanced surface hardness. Suitable for parts requiring tight tolerances and consistent coating.
• Typical Thickness: 0.0005"–0.001" (12.5–25 μm). Thicker deposits available on request.
• Appearance: Bright, semi-bright, or matte finish depending on bath chemistry and substrate. Slight yellowish tint is typical.
• Notes: RoHS-compliant options available. Masking for selective plating can be provided. Post-plate heat treatment can further increase hardness. Specify if you require masking or post-plate heat treat on your print or order.

Specify thickness and any masking or post-plate heat treat requirements on your print or order.

• Supported Materials: Only applicable to ferrous materials (carbon steel, alloy steel, some stainless steels). Not available for aluminum, brass, copper, or plastics.
• Appearance: Matte to satin black finish. Does not add measurable thickness to the part, so it is ideal for tight-tolerance components.
• Corrosion Resistance: Provides mild corrosion resistance, which is significantly improved when the part is post-treated with oil or wax. Not suitable for outdoor or high-humidity environments without additional protection.
• Applications: Commonly used for tools, fasteners, machine parts, and aesthetic components where dimensional accuracy is critical and a non-reflective black finish is desired.
• Notes: Specify if post-treatment oiling or additional corrosion protection is required on your print or order. Black oxide is primarily for appearance and light corrosion resistance, not for heavy-duty protection.

For best results, include any specific requirements for finish appearance or post-treatment in your order notes.

• Supported Materials: Most metals (aluminum, steel, stainless, brass, copper) and some plastics.
• Types of Marks: Text, serial numbers, barcodes, QR codes, logos, and graphics.
• Appearance: Mark color and contrast depend on material and finish. Marks may be dark, white, or engraved. Minimal depth; no added material.
• Benefits: Permanent, precise, tamper-resistant, and fast. No risk of smudging or fading.
• Applications: Part identification, traceability, branding, and compliance marking.
• Notes: Marking quality and contrast may vary by material and finish. Specify location, size, and content of marking on your print or order. Sample marking available on request.

Include marking details (text, location, size, etc.) on your print or order for best results.

• Bead Blasting: Commonly performed on aluminum before anodizing to produce a uniform matte finish. Removes tool marks and burrs.
• Sand Blasting: Typically used for steels to clean and texture the surface, remove tool marks or scale, or prepare for further finishing.
• Tumbling: Rounds sharp corners, deburrs, and produces an even finish on parts of all materials.
• Polishing: Creates a smooth, mirror finish. May require special packagaing considerations for shipping and be limited by part size and geometry. Specify which surfaces need polishing and finish requirements when ordering.
• Typical Results: Matte, satin, or bright finishes; smooth or textured surfaces; reduced sharp edges and burrs. All abrasive finishing methods will alter the part's dimensions slightly—design accordingly for critical features.
• Notes: Specify requirements (e.g., Ra value, gloss, or finish type) on your print or order. Masking for selective finishing available on request.

Include surface finish requirements or preferences on your print or order for best results.