Before we talk about the topic, I’d like to introduce what is anodizing? to you.

Anodizing is most commonly used for improved corrosion resistance on certain types of aluminum alloys.

Aluminum alloys that are subject to marine environments typically benefit from anodizing. Ship hulls, dock components, and oil rig structures are common examples of these.

Anodizing is also used for abrasion control. Aluminum that has not been oxidized is a relatively soft material when compared with steel or titanium.

Aluminum oxide is an extremely hard material. In fact, aluminum oxide is often used in sandpapers because of its high hardness. When the anodizing process forms an aluminum oxide layer on the outside of an aluminum alloy, it greatly increases its wear resistance.

Applications, where anodizing is used for wear resistance, include aluminum components that are subjected to constant movement and contact with other materials.

Dyeing is another popular application of anodized aluminum. The aluminum oxide layer that is created on an aluminum alloy during the anodizing process is porous. This allows some dyes to be absorbed by the oxide layer.

Aluminum alloys that couldn’t be dyed before can now be made to be a variety of colors. Applications of dyeing anodized aluminum include artwork and aluminum signs.

But which kind of metals can be anodized?

As we all know, aluminum is the most commonly anodized material.

However, there are several other types of materials that can be anodized.

Magnesium can be anodized but its applications are very limited.

Titanium is perhaps the second most commonly anodized material, though still nowhere near as popular as aluminum.

Some materials simply should not be anodized. For example, carbon steel will simply corrode if it is brought through an anodizing process.