Aluminium Anodising
Aluminium Anodising
SPA Aluminium provides specialist aluminium anodising services for aluminium extrusions, fabricated components and architectural profiles.
With over 50 years of experience in aluminium finishing and fully in-house anodising facilities, we are able to deliver consistent anodised finishes suitable for both decorative and functional applications.
Our anodising capabilities include;
- Natural/Silver & Architectural Anodising
- Electrolytic Colour Anodising
- Free Issue Anodising (customer supplied materials)
This allows us to support a wide range of customer requirements.
Located just south of the M25 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, our facility allows us to efficiently serve customers across the UK, with nationwide delivery available via our fleet of vehicles.
What is Aluminium Anodising?
Aluminium anodising is an electrochemical process that converts the surface of aluminium into a durable oxide layer.
This anodised coating improves the performance of aluminium by increasing:
- Corrosion resistance
- Surface hardness
- Wear resistance
- Long-term durability
In addition to these functional benefits, anodising also enhances the visual appearance of aluminium, making it widely used in architectural, engineering and decorative applications.
Because the anodised layer becomes part of the aluminium itself, it provides a long-lasting finish that does not peel or flake like traditional coatings.
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Natural/Silver & Architectural Anodising
Natural anodising, often referred to as silver anodising and architectural anodising, produces a clean metallic aluminium appearance while significantly improving corrosion resistance and durability.
We offer natural anodised finishes in coating thicknesses ranging from 5 to 25 microns, allowing finishes to be matched to the environmental conditions and specification requirements of different applications.
Natural anodised aluminium is widely used in:
• Architectural façades
• Window and door systems
• Curtain walling
• Balustrades and handrails
• Structural aluminium profiles
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Electrolytic Colour Anodising
In addition to natural anodising, we offer electrolytic colour anodising, producing durable architectural finishes in a range of colours including:
• Light Grey
• Light Bronze
• Medium Bronze
• Dark Bronze
• Black
Electrolytic colouring integrates colour within the anodised layer itself, providing excellent colour stability and resistance to fading when compared with traditional dye processes.
These finishes are commonly specified for architectural aluminium applications requiring both durability and consistent colour appearance.
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Free Issue Anodising
For customers who supply their own aluminium materials, SPA Aluminium also provides a free issue anodising service.
This allows manufacturers, fabricators and engineers to send aluminium components or extrusions to our facility for finishing.
By offering anodising as a subcontract finishing service, we support customers who require high quality anodised finishes without operating their own anodising facilities.
Jigging & Contact Points in the Anodising Process
In order for aluminium components to be anodised successfully, they must be securely fixed to a jig or “carrying stick” during processing. This jigging arrangement serves two important purposes: it supports the aluminium during the anodising cycle and provides the electrical contact required for the electrochemical process to take place.
Because electrical contact must be made between the aluminium component and the jig, the point where the metal is clamped cannot receive the anodised coating. As a result, a small contact mark will remain on the finished component.
Where possible, these jigging marks are positioned in non-critical areas of the component, typically close to the ends of extrusion lengths. On many extrusion profiles these contact points are normally located within approximately 25 mm of each end, allowing the marked area to be removed if the material is subsequently cut to length.
For fabricated parts or customer-supplied components, suitable jigging locations can often be arranged using:
- Edges of the component
- Existing holes or bores
- Non-visible surfaces
If a particular area of a component must remain completely free from contact marks, this should be clearly identified on drawings or discussed with our team prior to production so that suitable jigging arrangements can be planned.
Understanding these standard jigging requirements ensures the anodising process can be completed effectively while minimising visible contact marks on finished components.
Why choose SPA Aluminium for Aluminium Anodising?
Customers choose SPA Aluminium for aluminium anodising because of our experience, in-house facilities and ability to support projects from raw material through to finished component.
Key advantages include:
- Over 50 years of anodising experience
- Fully in-house anodising facility
- Capability for long aluminium sections, up to 7.5M
- Natural and colour anodising options
- Free issue anodising for customer materials
- Integration with extrusion supply and polishing services
- Nationwide delivery via our fleet of vehicles
Integrated Aluminium Finishing Services
Because SPA Aluminium offers multiple finishing services under one roof, we are able to support customers throughout the entire aluminium manufacturing process.
In addition to anodising, our services include:
- Extrusion supply and stockholding
- Aluminium polishing
- Aluminium fabrication and machining
This integrated approach allows customers to source aluminium materials, finishing and fabrication services through a single supplier, helping simplify project coordination creating an all-under-one-roof solution.
Request a Quotation
If you require aluminium anodising services, our team will be happy to discuss your requirements including coating thickness, colour finish and material sizes.
Contact SPA Aluminium to learn more about our anodising capabilities or to request a quotation.