Whats the difference between anodizing and hard anodizing?
A. Both processes work essentially in the same way by converting the surface of raw aluminum using an electrolyte bath (acid) and electricity to create an anodic or oxide film. Hard anodizing requires a stronger acid bath and lower bath temperatures to achieve an anodic film that can be thicker and either more corrosion resistant or abrasion resistant. While standard anodizing offers excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance, it is primarily intended as a decorative process. Hard anodizing is primarily intended to produce a functional finish. However, the heavier anodic film is attractive in its own right.
