Anodizing process

 I can't wait to try this anodising my mesh as soon as we are allowed back at campus. Ganoksin has a tutorial on how to do aluminium anodizing. My process may not be exactly the same as the article but I summarised the notes and attached the diagram of the process below as a starting point.

Tisdale, D., (1985). Diagram B

Notes about Diagram B:

Caustic Soda- 113-170g of soda to 4 litres of water for 5-10 min

Nitric Dip-5-10% solution for 2min

Anodise-Sulfuric Acid bath of 15-18% solution at 21C, with a positive current at +/-12 volts

Neutralize- Baking Soda and water solution

Dying- cool dyes and short anodizing time for pale shades and hot dyes and longer anodizing time for darker colours

Seal-boiling water with Sandoz Sealing Salt for 10min

Do not touch the aluminium surface until after it has been sealed as the porous surface is susceptible to dirt.

Anodizing Aluminum

 In a discussion with Samantha Vincent, she informed me that aluminium can be anodized which is a process I thought could only be done to titanium. The process of anodizing aluminium is a process where acid and dye is used to change the colour of the metal. Therefore I can change the colour of the mesh I use in my platinum piece making the leaf skeleton appear more realistic. To get an idea of what it could look like I edited the photo of my prototype.

Bowes, K.,(2021). Edited mesh leaf

Possible colour outcomes of anodizing according to Modern Metal Finishing Inc :

Anon. (n.d.) Anodizing colours