Anodized pipe is a metal pipe treated with an electrolytic process to create a wear and corrosion-resistant surface. It can be applied to non-ferrous metals, with aluminum being the most common. Anodized tubing is often used in manufacturing and can be decorated with various finishes.
Anodized pipe is any suitable metal pipe that has been exposed to an anodizing treatment. Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process that imparts the finish to metal at the atomic level making parts such as anodized pipes extremely strong and durable. This treatment is mainly applied to give the metal a wear and corrosion resistant surface, but it can also form the basis of various decorative processes. This treatment can be applied to a variety of non-ferrous metals, including magnesium, titanium, and zinc, although aluminum is by far the most frequently anodized metal. Ferrous or iron-based metals cannot be anodized.
Most untreated metals respond to the rigors of regular use and exposure to the elements by accumulating surface wear and corrosion. Unchecked, both will eventually reduce the item’s functionality and aesthetic appeal to the point of requiring replacement. Anodizing is one of many treatments that can be applied to metals, in this case the non-ferrous types, to slow or avoid wear and corrosion. The treatment is an electrolytic process which coats the metal part with an extremely resistant atomically bonded oxide layer. This process is applicable to a range of non-ferrous metals and alloys such as zinc, titanium and most commonly aluminum.
An anodized finish can be applied to any common end product manufactured with these metals. One such product that you come across on a regular basis is anodized tubing. These tubes are typically constructed from extruded aluminum rods or rolled and welded sheets. While aluminum is by far the most commonly used material, pipes made from other non-ferrous metals are regularly made for special applications. The anodizing process is typically applied to pipes after they are formed, coating both the external and internal surfaces with the characteristic durable and protective finish.
As with most metals so treated, the finish on anodized pipe not only serves to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of the product but, due to the porous nature of the oxide layer, also serves as a receptive base for various decorative finishes. A good range of such finishes, including paints and dyes, are well suited to anodized surfaces, opening up a wide range of possibilities for the post-treatment decoration of products. These finishes make anodized tubing ideal for ornamental construction, in addition to its obvious value as rugged, long-lasting tubing components in manufacturing, domestic, and industrial applications.
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