Cost of Type II vs Type III?

[LightCannon]

Hi guys, not sure if this is in the right thread or not, but I'm gonna give it a shot anyways.

A short while ago, I began to wonder why some manufacturers stuck with Type II anodization, when HA-III was clearly preferred. Someone told me that cost played a factor.

So, I was wondering, why does it cost more (procedural differences?) and just how much more (approximately) will HA-III cost?

 

[rje58]

That's a great question! The best information I have is that HA-III is more expensive, and has trade-offs. For example, I've read that HA-III isn't necessarily more desirable on parts like bezels and tailcaps, because it is weaker at edges - although it is much preferable for surface areas, ie. bodies. Also, it's hardness can make it brittle, and it can chip on impact.

I'm no expert, though. I'm sure someone else more knowledgable will chime in.

 

[csshih]

Hard anodize is done in refrigerated tanks with higher voltages.. and I suspect it probably takes longer times. now anyone have a solid cost comparison?

 

[gadget_lover]

Other things come into play.

HA (type III) is hard to do in colors. Type II can be died.

If not done right, anodizing will eat away the base metal. That means more parts are wasted when they are done wrong with Type III.

Even type III will chip when used on a soft metal. The underlying metal distorts and the anodizing cracks.

Anodizing in general is weakest at sharp corners.

I've learned that bare aluminum, HA or type II can all scratch and yet still be perfectly usable.

Daniel

 

[cmacclel]

Hard anodize is done in refrigerated tanks with higher voltages.. and I suspect it probably takes longer times. now anyone have a solid cost comparison?

My anodizer

http://www.ttanodizing.com/minch.html

 

[Rothrandir]

From what I understand, type III is a lot more difficult, in addition to being more time consuming and requiring more equipment.
Even when dyed black (which will cover up most of the inconsistencies in the annodize if there are any) I've still had type 3 parts come back wrong from the annodizer.