Electrolytic Colour Anodising
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Electrolytic Colour Anodising
At SPA Aluminium we provide in-house electrolytic colour anodising for aluminium extrusions & components, delivering consistent architectural-grade finishes with excellent colour stability and durability. Our process produces long-lasting coloured anodised surfaces suitable for architectural, construction and engineering applications.
With extensive anodising experience and tanks capable of accommodating long aluminium profiles in lengths up to 7.5 metres, we offer a reliable UK solution for projects requiring uniform colouring, repeatability and high-quality finishing.
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What is Electrolytic Colour Anodising?
Electrolytic colour anodising is a two-stage electrochemical process where aluminium is first anodised to create a controlled oxide layer - 20 microns as standard, followed by electrolytic deposition of tin metal salts within the pores of the coating.
Unlike dye colouring, the colour becomes integrated within the anodic layer itself, creating a finish that is highly resistant to UV fading, weathering and wear.
This makes electrolytic colouring the preferred choice for architectural aluminium and external applications, as well as harsh environments such as marine applications.
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Why Choose Electrolytic Colour Anodising?
Electrolytic colouring provides significantly improved long-term performance compared with other colour anodising processes; Key advantages include:
- Superior UV resistance
- Excellent colour fastness
- Increased weather durability
- Improved suitability for exterior environments
- Hard, wear-resistant surface
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Low maintenance requirements
- Environmentally stable coating
- Consistent architectural appearance
Because the colour is formed within the anodic coating rather than applied as a dye, fading and colour variation are greatly reduced over time.
Available Colour Range
We offer a consistent architectural colour range.
All our finishes at SPA Aluminium are produced under tightly controlled process conditions to ensure colour consistency across batches and long production runs, we make use of a spectrometer and preset tolerances to ensure each batch is within a working colour tolerance.
Please note that representation of colours shown are a close example of our anodising finishes, for an exact reference please request a sample pack of our finishes from our sales team below.
Choice of Colours
- Light Grey Anodised (SPA-G001)
- Light Bronze Anodised (SPA- BZ001)
- Medium Bronze Anodised (SPA- BZ002)
- Dark Bronze Anodised (SPA- BZ003)
- Black Anodised (SPA- BL001)
Light Grey Anodised
SPA-G001
Light Bronze Anodised
SPA-BZ001
Medium Bronze Anodised
SPA-BZ002
Dark Bronze Anodised
SPA-BZ003
Black Anodised
SPA-BL001
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Long-Length Anodising Capability
A key advantage of our facility is the ability to anodise long aluminium sections in-house, with a maximum acceptable length of 7.5M (subject to extrusion design).
Our tank capacity allows processing of extended extrusion lengths, reducing the need for sectional finishing and ensuring:
- Improved colour uniformity
- Reduced handling damage
- Faster project turnaround
- Greater consistency across architectural installations
This capability is particularly valuable for façade systems, curtain walling and structural aluminium profiles.
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Our In-House Processes & Experience
All anodising is completed in-house, giving us full control over preparation, anodising parameters and colouring stages.
This allows us to maintain strict quality standards, repeatable finishes and reliable lead times while supporting both production volumes and specialist projects.
Our experienced team works closely with customers to achieve the required finish performance and visual specification.
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Typical Applications
Electrolytic colouring provides significantly improved long-term performance compared with other colour anodising processes; Key advantages include:
- Architectural façades
- Window and door systems
- Curtain walling
- Marine Industry
- Balustrades and handrails
- External cladding
- Machined components requiring decorative durability
Request a Quotation
Contact our sales team to discuss your anodising requirements, material sizes and finish specifications.
We are happy to advise on the most suitable anodising solution for your next project.
| Feature | Electrolytic Colour Anodising | Dye Anodising |
|---|---|---|
| Colour Method | Metal salts deposited electrochemically | Organic dyes absorbed into pores |
| UV Resistance | Excellent | Moderate to poor |
| Colour Fade Resistance | Very high | Can fade over time |
| Exterior Suitability | Ideal for architectural use | Limited long-term exterior use |
| Colour Consistency | Highly repeatable | Can vary between batches |
| Wear Resistance | High | Moderate |
| Typical Use | Architectural aluminium, façades, external systems | Decorative interior components |
WHY ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS CHOOSE ELECTROLYTIC COLOURING?
Electrolytic colouring produces a finish where colour becomes part of the anodic layer itself. This results in superior durability, long-term appearance retention and reduced maintenance compared with dye-based finishes.