Quelles normes définissent la performance de l’arc anodisation pour les composants industriels ?

Key Standards Governing Arc Anodizing Performance

The performance requirements for Arc Anodizing in industrial applications are defined by a set of international standards that establish expectations for coating thickness, hardness, corrosion protection, and overall quality stability. These specifications ensure that Arc Anodized components meet the demanding mechanical and environmental conditions found in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, defense, and industrial machinery.

Coating Property and Composition Standards

The foundational document governing anodic coatings is MIL-A-8625, which categorizes anodizing into several types. Arc Anodizing falls under Type III (Hardcoat Anodizing), a classification that defines a minimum coating thickness—typically 50.8 µm (2 mils)—and mandates high-density, wear-resistant oxide layers.

For applications requiring even tighter control of coating properties, aerospace specifications such as AMS 2469 are used. These documents define parameters including coating hardness, porosity, microstructure, and allowable defect levels. Material selection is an integral part of compliance; alloys listed in our Die Cast Aluminum Alloys database must exhibit proper compatibility to ensure crack-free, uniform hardcoat formation.

Performance and Testing Standards

Arc Anodized coatings are validated through standardized testing that measures wear resistance, hardness, corrosion resistance, and adhesion.

Abrasion and Wear Resistance: Hardness performance is verified using ASTM B647 (Knoop hardness) or ASTM E384 (Vickers microhardness). High-quality Arc Anodized films commonly achieve >400 HK under a 500 g load, with premium coatings exceeding this significantly. Abrasion resistance is measured using ASTM G65 (Dry Sand/Rubber Wheel test), which quantifies material loss under controlled abrasive wear.

Corrosion Resistance: The standard test method is ASTM B117 (Salt Spray). While conventional anodizing targets 96–300 hours, fully sealed Arc Anodized coatings often specify 1000 hours or more without pitting or base-metal corrosion. Seal integrity—critical for corrosion protection—is evaluated by ASTM B136 (Phosphoric Acid Dissolution test) or ASTM B680 (Electrochemical Impedance test).

Adhesion and Coating Integrity: Coating adhesion is validated using ASTM D3359 (Crosshatch Tape Test). For parts undergoing subsequent Post Machining, this verification is critical to ensure the oxide layer remains firmly bonded, particularly at edges, corners, and machined interfaces.

Industry-Specific Specifications

In addition to MIL and ASTM standards, major industries implement their own proprietary anodizing specifications. Automotive OEMs, aerospace manufacturers, and power tool companies often develop internal performance requirements that exceed standard benchmarks.

For example, projects involving power tools or automotive hardware may require Arc Anodizing processes to pass cyclic corrosion tests, mechanical impact loading, thermal cycling, and fluid exposure protocols that closely simulate real-world operating environments.