Gold anodizing is a process that coats base metals to produce a golden color. Anodizing creates an oxide film on the metal in an electrolytic solution. The process can be performed on various base metals, and gold color can be produced using different methods, including organic and inorganic. Anodizing also protects the metal from corrosion and changes its surface structure. Sealing the anodized coating can increase its life.
Also sometimes referred to as gold dipping, gold anodizing is a process by which base metals are coated to produce a golden color, but are not necessarily dipped in real gold. This can be done in a couple of different ways. The most common gold anodizing method is a two-part process that first anodizes a base metal and then coats it in a gold dye. Color can also be produced in the coating film by mixing the sulfuric acid electrolyte with an organic acid.
Anodizing is an electrochemical process that creates an oxide film on a base metal, in an electrolytic solution. The metal to be treated becomes the anode, or positive electrode, and current is passed between it and a cathode, or negative electrode. Sulfuric acid is commonly used as an electrolyte solution. When current passes through the solution, an anode film is formed. When aluminum is used as the base metal, the film is called aluminum oxide.
The anodizing process can be performed on a variety of base metals, with aluminum being one of the most common. Titanium, zinc and magnesium can also be used as the base metal. The use of titanium can produce a gold coating without the use of dyes. A nitride coating can form with titanium, which can produce the golden color and still maintain corrosion resistance. Gold anodizing on titanium is often used to create jewelry and artwork.
With normal anodizing processes, electric current is applied at a steady, constant rate. However, the same gold color can also be produced as part of the anode film in a different process. This is done using a mixture of an organic acid and a sulfuric electrolyte and a pulsed current is applied, creating a golden anode film.
Inorganic methods can also be used in gold anodizing. The use of ferric ammonium sulfate as an electrolyte solution produces black or gold colors on the base metal. Anodizing gold created using an inorganic method produces a stronger coating that is less likely to lose its color. When inorganic dyes are used they are normally sealed to protect the finish.
The metals are anodized to protect them from corrosion. Andodizing changes the surface structure of a metal. Corrosion resistance can be achieved with a sealing process. Base metals may become harder than the original metal, but may lose some wear resistance. Increasing the thickness of the anodized coating or applying a sealant can increase the life of the outer layer.
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