Xometry.pro
en – Global
Knowledge & Community
Search
K
Quote & source your parts
Europe Europe
English Deutsch Français Italiano Español
Türkiye Türkiye
English Türkçe
United Kingdom United Kingdom
English
Global Global
English
select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Get Instant Quote

Use our Instant Quoting Engine to easily quote and source your parts online

Get a Quote
Back
 Profile
Menu
Materials Library
Manufacturing Stories & Cases
Articles
E-books & Guides
Free Tools
Webinars
Free Courses
Community Discussions
Create Topic
Quote & Source Your Parts
Get a Quote

Edit topic

Home Xometry Community Materials & Finishes Painting or anodizing?

Painting or anodizing?

0
P
3

Hello, I’m working on the design of an avionic system. When the outline of the parts is complex (like for example with a large heat sink), I use a hard black anodizing according to the MIL-A-8625 standard. The rest of the parts are painted with epoxy or polyurethane paint in accordance with our specifications. But so I wonder: wouldn’t it be simpler to use this hard anodized coating for all parts and save and at the same time avoid additional painting costs? Are there advantages / disadvantages of anodizing compared to painting? For example, in the case of anodizing, I have to mask certain areas (like electrical contact areas), while with painting, the entire piece can be painted without masking the contact areas. Ideas, feedback?

Automatically translated from: Français
See original
Link copied
Solved by Pierre-Yves Huet

Hello
As a Senior Technical Support Engineer at Xometry, I have seen a great number of orders for parts treated according to the different processes you mention. Hard anodizing has the advantage of improving the surface hardness of the part while only slightly altering the dimensions. But indeed it significantly reduces conductivity.
I did not know, however, that powder coating (epoxy/PU) maintained the conductivity of the parts, and we see for both processes parts ordered with requests for localized masking. 
For this particular need, I don't know if there is a solution that would allow local conductivity with anodized parts, particularly type III (hard). If one of my colleagues has an experience that can be useful to you, I will contact you.

    • P
      Xometry Engineer

      Hello
      As a Senior Technical Support Engineer at Xometry, I have seen a great number of orders for parts treated according to the different processes you mention. Hard anodizing has the advantage of improving the surface hardness of the part while only slightly altering the dimensions. But indeed it significantly reduces conductivity.
      I did not know, however, that powder coating (epoxy/PU) maintained the conductivity of the parts, and we see for both processes parts ordered with requests for localized masking. 
      For this particular need, I don’t know if there is a solution that would allow local conductivity with anodized parts, particularly type III (hard). If one of my colleagues has an experience that can be useful to you, I will contact you.

      Automatically translated from: Français

      See original
      0
      Reply
      Link copied
      • P
        Pierre-Yves Huet

        Hello Pierre-Yves, thank you for your detailed response. I will reflect on these points and see how I can adjust my surface treatment choices accordingly. If you ever manage to find specific solutions to maintain local conductivity with anodized parts, I am interested.

        Automatically translated from: Français

        See original
        0
        Reply
        Link copied

    • I’m waiting for your piece. How long will it take?

      Thank you very much, I await your response

      Automatically translated from: Français

      See original
      0
      Reply
      Link copied
Painting or anodizing?
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
MJF material with the best low-temp resistance
Materials & Finishes
Hello, I need to produce a small housing component for an outdoor sensor unit. I thought MJF could be a good fit for prototyping and potentially low-volume production. The part needs to handle exposure... read more
J
1
24
Apr 15
Best material for vibration-dampers fan spacers
Materials & Finishes
Help, I need to reduce vibrations transmitted to the enclosure and improve airflow efficiency for 3D-printed spacers for mounting cooling fans on an industrial control cabinet. These spacers need to provide some damping without... read more
Y
C
2
122
Mar 20
Coated fasteners for stainless steel in coastal environments
Materials & Finishes
We need to create a stainless steel structure for outdoor use in a coastal environment, and corrosion is our primary concern. We're considering coated fasteners but need to understand whether thicker coatings provide adequate... read more
M
C
1
100
Mar 18
Aluminium 5083 stiff enough for electronic keyboard enclosure?
Materials & Finishes
I’m working on an enclosure for a compact electronic keyboard system, including a weighted key mechanism, and have chosen Aluminium 5083 for all parts due to its corrosion resistance and machinability. My main concern... read more
S
o
B
3
127
Apr 15
Best injection molding plastic for plastic enclosure
Materials & Finishes
Hi everyone, we’re talking about a snap-fit design for a small electronic enclosure that needs to be opened and closed frequently—about 20 cycles per week. The part should be injection molded, and I’m deciding... read more
M
B
V
3
169
Apr 16

Edit topic