What is an alkaline etch?
Etching aluminum in sodium hydroxide is by far the most common pretreatment for aluminum that is to be anodized. It imparts a matte finish to the end product. Alkaline etches are also used to strip off anodic coatings. However, under no circumstances should an etch-only finish be used in a finish product because there is no way to prevent the rapid onset of corrosion. I play paint ball and would like to anodize my gun. It is aluminum and I read an article that you can anodize at home with battery electrolyte and battery charger. If there is any information you can give me, I would greatly appreciate it. For safety reasons, the Council does not advocate “at home” anodizing, and cannot provide the requested information.
Etching aluminum in sodium hydroxide is by far the most common pretreatment for aluminum that is to be anodized. Alkaline etches are also used to strip off anodic coatings prior to painting. However, under no circumstances should an etch-only finish be used in a finish product because there is no way to prevent the rapid onset of corrosion. An etch-only finish normally is regarded as an unsightly mess by our customers. It must be anodized or painted immediately after etching to protect the metal.
Etching aluminum in sodium hydroxide is by far the most common pretreatment for aluminum that is to be anodized. It imparts a matte finish to the end product. Alkaline etches are also used to strip off anodic coatings. However, under no circumstances should an etch-only finish be used in a finish product because there is no way to prevent the rapid onset of corrosion. An etch-only finish normally is regarded as an unsighly mess by our customers. It must be anodized immediately upon etching to preserve the uniformly satin appearance imparted by the etch.
