Aluminum plates are often used to manufacture various mechanical and electrical equipment because they have good conductivity and processability. However, due to the oxidizing properties of aluminum metal, the surface of aluminum plates is prone to oxidation. This oxidation process will reduce the strength of the metal and also cause corrosion and discoloration on the surface of the aluminum plate. To protect the aluminum plate from oxidation, some measures need to be taken. This article will introduce several methods for aluminum plate oxidation resistance and analyze which method is the most effective.
Method 1: Anodization method
Anodizing is a method of placing aluminum products in an electrolytic cell and controlling the current through electrolysis to undergo oxidation reactions. This method has two main functions: first, to increase the hardness and surface quality of the aluminum plate, and second, to form a anti-corrosion layer on the surface of the aluminum plate to protect it from oxidation.
In anodizing, aluminum products are first placed in an acidic electrolyte and then subjected to an electrolysis reaction, ultimately forming a layer of aluminum oxide film with a thickness of about 10 microns. This type of aluminum oxide film can protect the surface of aluminum plates from oxidation reactions and make the surface of aluminum plates smoother and smoother. At the same time, this film also has certain wear resistance and corrosion resistance, which can make aluminum products more durable and sturdy.
Anodizing is currently one of the most widely used methods for oxidation resistance of aluminum plates. However, this method also has some drawbacks. Firstly, the anodizing method requires a large amount of electricity and chemicals, resulting in high production costs. Secondly, due to the thin thickness of the alumina film and its relatively short service life, it needs to be replaced regularly. Finally, the aluminum oxide film will limit the coating and dyeing, affecting the aesthetic appearance of the material after anodizing.
Method 2: Chemical oxidation method
Chemical oxidation is a method of reacting aluminum plates by soaking them in a chemical solution. This method can oxidize the surface of aluminum plates without using current. By using different chemical composition schemes, aluminum oxide films of different colors and thicknesses can be obtained.
The advantage of chemical oxidation method is that it can produce a thicker and softer alumina film than anodizing method, which has better corrosion resistance and resistance to artificial wear. Meanwhile, this method has fewer restrictions on coating and dyeing, allowing for a wider range of color choices.
The disadvantage of chemical oxidation method is that its production process requires the use of chemical substances, which causes significant environmental pollution. In addition, in most cases, chemical oxidation requires high-temperature treatment, which also poses some requirements for industrial production.
Method 3: Coating method
Coating method is a method of covering the surface of an aluminum plate with a layer of paint. This method has a good effect on the antioxidant performance of aluminum plates. The coating method can choose different types of coatings according to needs, such as polyester, polyurethane PVDF, etc. Among them, PVDF has excellent weather resistance and corrosion resistance, which can form an airtight coating on the surface of the aluminum plate, effectively preventing oxidation of the aluminum plate.
The advantage of coating method is that it can achieve different antioxidant effects through different types of coating options and has good aesthetics. In addition, the coating method is relatively simple in production process.
However, the disadvantage of the coating method is that the selected coating has a significant difference in weather resistance, which can affect the antioxidant effect of the aluminum plate. In addition, during post-processing such as cutting of colored coatings, the coatings are prone to damage, which affects the oxidation resistance of aluminum sheets.
Overall analysis shows that anodizing and chemical oxidation are two advanced methods for oxidation resistance of aluminum plates. They can form a relatively hard and dense aluminum oxide film on the surface of the aluminum plate, preventing the aluminum plate from being corroded by oxidation reactions. Meanwhile, these two methods have good aesthetics and economy. Although the coating method has a wide range of applications, its performance is not as good as anodizing and chemical oxidation methods. Therefore, when choosing the antioxidant method for aluminum plates, the above factors should be comprehensively considered to choose the most suitable antioxidant method for one's own needs.
