There are four basic steps to anodizing: Cleaning, Anodizing, Dyeing, and Sealing. Each step has its own procedure and precautions that have to be accounted for in anodizing as a whole. The main goal of anodization is to harden a part of aluminum. A positive upside to this is that while anodizing, you can add color to the piece to make it look more pleasing to the eye.
EYE PROTECTION, RUBBER GLOVES, AND CLOTHING COVER-UPS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERY STEP IN THE PROCEDURE OF THIS LAB FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOU AND THOSE AROUND YOU. DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND HIGH VOLTAGE/AMPERAGE EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED. ALL STEPS IN THE PROCEDURE MUST ALSO BE DONE UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD.
Materials Required:
Plastic Containers (located in the Material Science Lab)
Large Glass Beaker (located in Kanbar Lab)
Lots of DI Water (about 10 litres, but you may need more)
Power Supply of 15V and 40 Amps (borrowed from Junior EE Lab)
Sulfuric acid (bought by Professor Lima; Dionne Lutz has the remainder from last time)
Aluminum hanging wire
Thin aluminum plate for use as a Cathode (make sure this is the same material as your part)
Anodizing dye (located in the Material Science Lab)
Nickel Acetate sealer (located in the Material Science Lab)
Aluminum cleaner (located in the Material Science Lab)
Hot-Plate (borrowed from Kanbar Lab; talk to Dionne Lutz)
A C-4 level safety adviser (Dionne Lutz)
An outline of the steps are as follows:
Cleaning
Placing in Cleaning Solution
Rinsing
Anodizing
Set-up
Process
Rinsing
Dyeing
Dyeing
Rinsing
Sealing
Boiling Water
Chemical Sealer
Rinsing