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Epoch provides the option of hard anodizing the surface of aluminum rolls to provide a hard, abrasion resistant surface. Hard anodizing is an electrical process that forms a thick, hard coating on the outer shell of an idler roll (MIL Spec-A-8625, Type III). The coating is aluminum oxide and is typically 0.0015" to 0.002" thick (0.038mm - 0.051mm). Aluminum oxide is the abrasive ingredient of sandpaper. Since hard anodizing is just an extreme oxidation process and not a coating, debonding from the surface is not a consideration. The color Epoch uses is black. The color of anodizing doesn't affect the performance. Epoch does not seal the anodized surface since some sealing processes will reduce the abrasion resistance Hard anodizing has limitations and disadvantages, which should be known before using. Aluminum oxide is nonconductive, so static electricity may not be transferred from web to roll, and thus to ground. To transfer static electricity away from the rolls, special provisions can be made, like leaving a small area unanodized. Also, hard anodizing provides too thin of a hard surface to improve the dent resistance of aluminum. Finally, hard anodizing does nothing for protecting the aluminum from strong acids and bases¹. 1. David R. Roisum, Ph.D, The Mechanics of Rollers, Chapter 9. TAPPI Press, 1996 |
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