Anodising is an electrolytic process which coats a metal substrate with a protective oxide layer. The anodised coating on aluminium increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance, is electrically insulative, provides a good key for paint or adhesive and is often used as a decorative finish. The oxide layer that forms on iron or carbon steel is commonly known as rust, which readily flakes off and actually promotes the corrosion of the underlying material. So an anodising process for steel would not be terribly useful. At MF we anodise aluminium alloys (which are by far the most commonly anodised substrates) and titanium, producing coatings with desirable properties.

It is important that steel is not accidentally introduced to our anodising tanks (by way of inserts or parts in an aluminium assembly) as it will be destroyed by the processing solution, potentially damaging the rest of the assembly and our processing solution (see Non-Aluminium Inserts and Anodising).

The term “steel anodising” may refer to a process which is not commercially available for the electrochemical growth of magnetite film on steel substrates in a hot caustic solution. The term may also be used inaccurately to describe other methods of applying a protective coating to steel.

Possibilities for the protection of steel

Carbon steel parts can be given varying degrees of corrosion protection by painting, plating or conversion coating of the surface. At MF we offer zinc electroplating, zinc-nickel electroplating and a variety of paint systems.

Disclaimer

This page is provided for information only, it should not be considered advice and we cannot accept any responsibility or liability for your use of the information on this page. The information on this page is used and relied on at your own risk and you bear the sole responsibility for any outcomes. E&OE.