Anodizing Aluminum:

It is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish.

This electrochemical process provides additional protection aside from the natural oxide film.

A durable, porous anodic oxide layer is formed on the surface of the aluminum. Anodized aluminum will also accept vibrant colors. You can anodize any kind of aluminum alloy.

Powder Coating Aluminum:

The powder sticks to the parts due to electrostatic charging of the powder and grounding of the parts. Any substrate can be used that can tolerate the heat of curing the powder and that can be electrically grounded to enhance charged particle attachment. The powder flows and cures during the application of heat.

Difference Between Anodizing and Powder Coating

1. Process. Anodizing is an electrochemical process, which thickens and strengthens the existing thin natural oxide coating, while powder coating is an electrostatic process that electrostatically charged dry powder is sprayed for coating. 

2. Color choices. Anodising has a very limited choice of colors, matching with the building color scheme is difficult. But powder coating has unlimited colors to choose from, it can match any building color scheme. 

3. Finish. Anodizing is available in clear and satin finishes, powder coating is available in simple matt, satin, and gloss finish to super matt, gloss, and textured finishes. 

4. Color variation. Anodizing shows shade variation between batches, the color formed by powder coating is consistent and uniform, with no shade variation between batches. 

5. Uses. Anodizing can be done only over aluminum products, powder coating can be done on any surface, such as steel, wood, composite, etc. 

6. Repairing & repainting. Anodizing can’t be repaired, dented, or repainted, anodized aluminum products need to be protected by wrapping in the construction stage. Powder-coated parts can be repainted easily, and the product will retain the same color and texture after denting and repainting. 

7. Strength. Anodizing is harder than powder coating. 

8. Wear and abrasion resistance. Anodized components are highly resistant to wear and abrasion, easy to clean and maintain. Powder coating is not wear-resistant and abrasion-resistant as anodizing. 

9. Lifespan. Anodized parts have a longer life than powder-coated objects. 

10. Applications. Anodized aluminum or products are usually used in high traffic areas and applications subjected to continuous wear and tear. Powder-coated products are not usually preferred in heavy traffic areas. 

11. Durability. Anodizing becomes a part of the metal, but powder coating is just a coating. On exposure to external atmospheric conditions like sunlight, moisture and heat, anodized parts never fade or peel off. No effect on any climate changes or heat. Powder-coated parts are vulnerable to external atmospheric conditions and may fade on long exposure to sunlight, crack or peel off on exposure to humidity and moisture. 

12. Chemical resistance. Anodizing is vulnerable to chemical attack, hence to be protected from cement, lime, etc., in the construction stage by wrapping it. Powder coating can resist chemical attacks better than anodizing. Cement and lime have no impact on powder coating. 

13. Price. Anodizing is relatively costly, and a powder coating is cheap.

14. Recycling. Anodized materials can be recycled directly without any coating removal, the recycled product has the same properties as a virgin product, powder coating has to be removed before commencing recycling. 

15. Surface visibility. Weld joints are visible in anodizing, powder coating covers the welded joints.

HOMI products cover aluminium construction profiles, aluminium industry profiles, aluminium windows & aluminium doors, aluminium curtain walls and formwork.