Hard Coat Anodizing - for maximum durability
Hardcoating results in a protective finish that is up to 8 times thicker and 10 times more durable than standard anodizing.Other properties of hardcoating include: super long life span, resistance to outdoor conditions, exceptionally hard surface, easily cleaned and heat resistant.
Hard coating has applications in industries where components require wear-resistant surfaces - for example, cylinders, hydraulic gears, and machine molds.
Our Anodizing Process
We consistently follow the same documented process to obtain a truly high-quality and long-lasting anodize finish. Many steps are involved, including the following:• Cleaning - At Pilkington, your product is cleaned using ultrasonic vapor degreasing, acid wash, and/or alkaline cleaning.
• Mechanical and Chemical Pre-Treatments - After cleaning, your product is pre-treated to achieve the desired degree of reflectivity. Three of the chemical pre-treatments we offer are bright dip (highly reflective, gloss-like finish), satin (low lustre - the most common finish), and matte (flat finish).
• Treatment - This is the step where your product is actually anodized. Your anodizing options include standard sulfuric anodizing and hardcoat anodizing. We use approved and particular specifications to finish your products. See our
complete list of specifications.
• Finish - In the last step of the anodizing process, the final finish is achieved through application of color dye and sealants.
Advantages of Anodizing
• Durability - Anodizing results in a complete bonding of the finish coating and the aluminum - so the finish cannot peel off because it is actually part of the metal. An anodized finish is chemically stable and heat resistant to the melting point of aluminum, which occurs around 1,221 degrees F.• Cost - Due to their extremely long life span, most anodized products offer significant economic advantages.
• Color Stability and Selection - Anodizing gives aluminum a deep, rich metallic sheen. The anodized coating is translucent, which is why the aluminum retains its metallic appearance after it is anodized. Exterior anodized color coatings do not chip or peel and are resistant to ultraviolet rays.




