Anodized Titanium

[rhrocker]

Does the thickness of the titanium have any effect on the anodizing process? I'm wanting to make up a little sample board of colors, using very thin sheet (say .030 or so). Will that sheet anodizethe same as a .050 piece? Other than time, type and mixture of electrolyte, and voltage, are there any other variables?
Thanks!

[Frank J Warner]

Thickness of the ti has no affect on the colors you'll get. The only variables are voltage (of course), electrolyte solution strength, and the amount of polish on your piece.

I made up a swatch piece like the one you're contemplating and it's a big help. Mine is about 8" long, two inches wide. One side is "rough" polished (sandblasted and satin finished), the other side is mirror polished. I scribed lines across the width at half inch intervals and stamped the voltages (10, 20, 30, etc., up to 100) next to the lines. Then anodized each section at those voltages (actually, in 5-volt increments). Drilled a hole and hung it from the pegboard above my anodizer.

It really helps when you're trying to dial in a certain color.

-Frank J Warner

[rhrocker]

Thanks Frank. Y ou're absolutely right in your statment, "and the amount of polish you put on your piece". I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the other info also!!

[AUBE]

differences in titanium alloy will affect the colors too. i made the same type of color sheet as you two. if i was aiming for say teal, i would aim a few volts low and creep my way up to it (my anodizer had a knob u turn to raise the current) that way i didnt accidently overshoot. you can always anodize up the scale but not back down without having to repolish

-Jason Aube