- Joined
- Feb 14, 2015
- Messages
- 293
Ok so I finally made my anodizing bath but am having some curious problems. First off, this is my setup: I'm using 15% dilute of sulphuric acid (dilution done via deionized and filtered water) along with lead cathodes. My cathodes are pure lead plates on either side of my tank connected via an external connection wire. Plates are 4" x 8" each and 1/32" thick. All of this is contained within a plastic bin.
Ok - so I know my setup seems good. I'm trying to anodize titanium knife clips. I'm using 9v batteries for the moment until I can get a true DC power source. I also have used multi-etch properly on each clip to prepare for anodizing. So my concern is this: I am using pure aluminum wire as the hanger for the part. In other words, I attach this aluminum wire to the part and then dip it into the solution.
Ok, now a general understanding of how the color band works. Purple is one of the earliest colors in the titanium anodizing band followed by blue then green.
So I dip my first part and it comes out purple as expected. So I ready my next part and dip it; nothing happens. My lead plate is still fizzing and I'm getting a small arc between my connecting wire and anode, yet no color change on the part. I readjust everything I can think of then try again to no avail. I get an idea that perhaps my aluminum hanger wire was anodized and interfering, so I get a new piece and try - success! Ok so now I want blue. I get a new piece and add 2 more batteries to get my desired current for blue. I dip the part and it hits purple, then slowly begins to hit blue at the bottom of the part. After that, nothing. I pull the part and add two more batteries. After this, I begin to get blue after a few seconds, but now the bottom of the piece has begun to go green. I pull the piece and call it quits to meditate.
So my understanding is this: the aluminum hangers I used anodized along with the part and caused a reduction in current to the part. I have seen many videos saying to use either titanium or pure aluminum as the contact hanger, but this obviously isn't working for me. My concern is two fold - in the videos with aluminum as the hanger, it seems as though where it connects to the part is also waterproof and thus no resistant anodizing is occurring at this contact point so it anodizes as normal. 2nd concern is that, if I use titanium, wouldn't the same anodizing principals be taking place to my hanger - which would also cause excess resistance and thus similar issues? Also, a new piece of titanium would anodize along with the fresh part, making both the same color; but if I wanted to use that hanger again, would I have to etch it clean for it to work due to the anodized layer causing resistance and thus the same problem?
I know this is a multilayered question, but I can definitely see this being an issue that plagues many beginner craftsmen as myself. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Ok - so I know my setup seems good. I'm trying to anodize titanium knife clips. I'm using 9v batteries for the moment until I can get a true DC power source. I also have used multi-etch properly on each clip to prepare for anodizing. So my concern is this: I am using pure aluminum wire as the hanger for the part. In other words, I attach this aluminum wire to the part and then dip it into the solution.
Ok, now a general understanding of how the color band works. Purple is one of the earliest colors in the titanium anodizing band followed by blue then green.
So I dip my first part and it comes out purple as expected. So I ready my next part and dip it; nothing happens. My lead plate is still fizzing and I'm getting a small arc between my connecting wire and anode, yet no color change on the part. I readjust everything I can think of then try again to no avail. I get an idea that perhaps my aluminum hanger wire was anodized and interfering, so I get a new piece and try - success! Ok so now I want blue. I get a new piece and add 2 more batteries to get my desired current for blue. I dip the part and it hits purple, then slowly begins to hit blue at the bottom of the part. After that, nothing. I pull the part and add two more batteries. After this, I begin to get blue after a few seconds, but now the bottom of the piece has begun to go green. I pull the piece and call it quits to meditate.
So my understanding is this: the aluminum hangers I used anodized along with the part and caused a reduction in current to the part. I have seen many videos saying to use either titanium or pure aluminum as the contact hanger, but this obviously isn't working for me. My concern is two fold - in the videos with aluminum as the hanger, it seems as though where it connects to the part is also waterproof and thus no resistant anodizing is occurring at this contact point so it anodizes as normal. 2nd concern is that, if I use titanium, wouldn't the same anodizing principals be taking place to my hanger - which would also cause excess resistance and thus similar issues? Also, a new piece of titanium would anodize along with the fresh part, making both the same color; but if I wanted to use that hanger again, would I have to etch it clean for it to work due to the anodized layer causing resistance and thus the same problem?
I know this is a multilayered question, but I can definitely see this being an issue that plagues many beginner craftsmen as myself. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
