{"id":6514,"date":"2025-09-15T06:42:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T10:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/?page_id=6514"},"modified":"2025-10-02T09:53:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T13:53:27","slug":"anodizing-nomenclature-designations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/anodizing-nomenclature-designations\/","title":{"rendered":"Anodizing Nomenclature and Designations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b3f77629\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-841ff0af\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-1cfac482\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-1cfac482\">\n\n<p>Anodizing is a key finishing process for aluminum, enhancing corrosion resistance, durability, and appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To simplify communication across the industry, standardized nomenclature and designations are used to describe different anodizing methods, film thicknesses, sealing treatments, and intended performance levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anodizing standards are not created in isolation\u2014they are maintained and validated by key organizations across the metals industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/astm.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASTM International <\/a>publishes widely used standards for anodic coatings, while the <a href=\"https:\/\/ansi.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American National Standards Institute <\/a>ensures those standards are nationally recognized and developed through accredited processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-7cb43c79\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7cb43c79\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c2c61661 contact-box-container contact-box-pdf-page\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-5fbb044c\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-9df871a9\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-9df871a9\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-21511560 gb-headline-text\">Speak with an expert!<\/h5>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-c49a8c51\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c49a8c51 custom-nav\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<nav class=\"secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"inside-navigation grid-container grid-parent\"><div class=\"main nav\"><ul class=\"secondary-menu sf-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-1878\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-1878\"><a><i class=\"fas fa-phone\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-1879\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-1879\"><a href=\"tel:+12523585811\">U.S. (252) 358-5811<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-1880\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-1880\"><a href=\"tel:+14186962545\">Canada (418) 696-2545<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1881\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-1881\"><a href=\"mailto:info@alfiniti.com?Subject=Website%20Inquiry\"><i class=\"fas fa-paper-plane\"><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/nav>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/aluminum.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aluminum Association<\/a> supports the industry with alloy designation systems and technical resources that align with anodizing practices. Together, these organizations help ensure that anodizing nomenclature and performance designations are consistent, reliable, and globally recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tables below outline the common anodizing codes and their meanings, providing engineers, designers, and buyers with a clear reference when specifying aluminum products for projects that require consistent quality and finish.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:72px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center translation-block\">Alfiniti, Inc. est le plus grand  <a href=\"\/aluminum-supplier-manufacturer\/\" target=\"_self\">fabricant d\u2019aluminium en Am\u00e9rique du Nord.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-df3aedc8\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f026dc10 gb-headline-text\">Anodizing Terminology and Military Standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a common industry terminology for anodizing in commercial applications which grew out of Alcoa\u2019s trademarked Alumilite designations. There is also a military specification that covers anodizing that is commonly used \u2013 MIL-A-8625.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-4527e618\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-7b67ee5e gb-headline-text\">Mechanical Finishes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>(&#8220;*&#8221; denotes the ones we offer)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-9d5aca01\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b4324093\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b4324093 li-no-bullets\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A1 &#8211; Preliminary grinding and polishing prior to anodizing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A2 &#8211; Buff directly on as-fabricated (mill finish) surface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>*B &#8211; Polish finish (round tube only)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>*C1 &#8211; Polish finish, No. 180-220 emery<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C2 &#8211; Satin finish, hand rubbed with steel wool<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C3 &#8211; Satin finish, compound or brushed backed sander<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>*<strong>D &#8211; Polish finish, No. 140-180 emery<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>*<strong>E &#8211; Polish finish, No. 120-140 emery<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-938cef23\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-938cef23 li-no-bullets\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>G1 &#8211; Very fine sand blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>G2 &#8211; Fine blast G3 Medium blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>G4 &#8211; Coarse blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>H1 &#8211; Fine shot blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>H2 &#8211; Medium shot blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>H3 &#8211; Coarse shot blast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>*<strong>K &#8211; Wire brush finish<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>M &#8211; Burnished finish<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>N &#8211; Sand burnished finish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a3aff2b4\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-3d543253 gb-headline-text\">Chemical Finishes to prepare the surface before the anodic coating is applied <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f542ccea gb-headline-text\"><strong><em>(&#8220;*&#8221; denotes the ones we offer)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-8c98438b li-no-bullets\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>*<strong>R1 &#8211; Caustic etch<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>*<strong>R2 &#8211; Caustic etch for diffuse reflectors<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>R3 &#8211; Sulfuric-chromic acid etch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>R4 &#8211; Bright dip (nitric-hydrofluoric)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>*R5 &#8211; Bright dip (nitric-phosphoric)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0d467946\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f41e4562 gb-headline-text\">Anodizing Coating Thickness and Comparative Designations (Alcoa Alumilite System)<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ff741cd0\">\n\n<div class=\"table-wrap\">\n  <table class=\"spec-table\" aria-label=\"Anodizing Coating Thickness and Comparative Designations (Alcoa Alumilite System)\">\n    <thead>\n      <tr>\n        <th scope=\"col\">Film Thickness<\/th>\n        <th scope=\"col\">Alcoa Designation<\/th>\n        <th scope=\"col\">Aluminum <br>Association <br>Designations<\/th>\n        <th scope=\"col\">Descriptions<\/th>\n        <th scope=\"col\">Type of Finish<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>0.0001<\/td>\n        <td>Alumilite 200 .00015<br>minimum film thickness<\/td>\n        <td>A21<\/td>\n        <td>Clear (natural) coating<\/td>\n        <td>Protective and decorative (coating less than 0.4 mils thick)<br>(Thickness to be specified by customer)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>0.0002<\/td>\n        <td>Alumilite 201 .0002<br>minimum film thickness<\/td>\n        <td>A22<\/td>\n        <td>Coating with integral color<\/td>\n        <td><\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>0.0003<\/td>\n        <td>\n          Alumilite 202 .0003<br>minimum film thickness<br>\n          Alumilite 203 .00036<br>minimum film thickness\n        <\/td>\n        <td>\n          A23<br>\n          A2X\n        <\/td>\n        <td>\n          Coating with impregnated color<br>\n          Other\n        <\/td>\n        <td><\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>0.0004<br>0.0005<br>0.0006<\/td>\n        <td>Alumilite 204 .0004<br>minimum film thickness<\/td>\n        <td>\n          A31<br>\n          A32<br>\n          A33<br>\n          A3X\n        <\/td>\n        <td>Other<\/td>\n        <td>Architectural Class II (0.4 to 0.7 mil coating)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>0.0007<\/td>\n        <td>Alumilite 214 .0007<br>minimum film thickness<\/td>\n        <td>          \n          A31<br>\n          A32<br>\n          A33<br>\n          A3X<\/td>\n        <td>Other<\/td>\n        <td>Architectural Class I (0.7 mil and greater anodic coating)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>up<\/td>\n        <td><\/td>\n        <td>\n          A41<br>\n          A42<br>\n          A43<br>\n          A4X\n        <\/td>\n        <td>Other<\/td>\n        <td><\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-d8f966b2 gb-headline-text\">Now the military designation from MIL-A-8625 \u2013 the entire specification is public domain and is included as an attachment in this section. Please check latest revisions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b873b82a outline-format\">\n\n<p class=\"top-level\"><strong>1.1 Scope.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-1\">This specification covers the requirements for six types and two classes of electrolytically formed anodic coatings on aluminum and aluminum alloys for non-architectural applications (see 6.1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"top-level\"><strong>1.2 Classification.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-1\">Anodic coating Types and Classes covered by this specification are as specified herein (see 6.2 and 6.21):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-2\"><strong>1.2.1 Types<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type I <\/em>&#8211; Chromic acid anodizing, conventional coatings produced from chromic acid bath, (see 3.4.1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type IB<\/em> &#8211; Chromic acid anodizing, low voltage process, 22 +\/- 2V, (see 3.4.1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type IC<\/em> &#8211; Non-chromic acid anodizing, for use as a non-chromate alternative for Type I and IB coatings (see 3.4.1 and 6.1.2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type II<\/em> &#8211; Sulfuric acid anodizing, conventional coatings produced from sulfuric acid bath, (see 3.4.2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type IIB<\/em> &#8211; Thin sulfuric acid anodizing, for use as a non-chromate alternative for Type I and IB coatings (see 3.4.2 and 6.1.2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\"><em>Type III<\/em> &#8211; Hard Anodic Coatings (see 3.4.3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-2\"><strong>1.2.2 Classes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\">Class 1 &#8211; Non-dyed (see 3.5.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"inset-3\">Class 2 &#8211; Dyed (see 3.6.)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-f9fa1467\">\n\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><br>Clear anodizing designations give engineers, buyers, and fabricators a common language. By using standardized terms, you can specify coating thickness, finish type, and performance expectations without ambiguity, ensuring everyone involved understands exactly what\u2019s required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These standards also connect directly to performance in the field. The right anodizing designation helps ensure aluminum products meet durability, corrosion resistance, and appearance needs for their intended application\u2014whether in architectural projects, industrial machinery, or consumer products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, referencing widely recognized systems such as Alcoa\u2019s Alumilite designations, MIL-A-8625, ASTM, and Aluminum Association standards builds confidence. It means your anodized aluminum will be consistent, compliant, and reliable, no matter the source or scale of production.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Alfiniti can help:<\/strong><br>Our team can guide you through these trade-offs, ensuring that you choose the alloy best suited for your application. Whether your priority is strength, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, or cost, we\u2019ll match you with tubing that meets ASTM B221 specifications and your project requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7d29b119\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-79992451\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-88510a59 gb-headline-text\">Need to know about aluminum alloy products?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-5b02b277 gb-headline-text\">Check out our <strong><a href=\"\/alloy\/mill-specifications-by-aluminum-alloy\/\">Aluminum Mill Specifications by Alloys<\/a><\/strong> page for a list of all of the alloy products and their key characteristics.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-4a1ffeb1\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-cef4a485\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b498bbce\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b498bbce\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Anodizing-nomenclature-and-designations-EN-FR.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download the  PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-a18843fa\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a18843fa\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-a8412980 gb-button-text\" href=\"\/resources-library\/\">&gt; Complete Resource Library<\/a>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alfiniti, Inc. is the largest aluminum manufacturer in North America. Anodizing Terminology and Military Standards There is a common industry terminology for anodizing in commercial applications which grew out of Alcoa\u2019s trademarked Alumilite designations. There is also a military specification that covers anodizing that is commonly used \u2013 MIL-A-8625. Mechanical Finishes (&#8220;*&#8221; denotes the ones &#8230; <a title=\"Anodizing Nomenclature and Designations\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/anodizing-nomenclature-designations\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Anodizing Nomenclature and Designations\">Read more<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Anodizing Nomenclature and Designations PDF%%sep%% North America's Largest Aluminum Manufacturer","_seopress_titles_desc":"ASTM B221 aluminum alloy specs with downloadable PDF. Chemical composition and tensile property tables, plus tips on selecting the right alloy.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6514","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6514"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6565,"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6514\/revisions\/6565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alfiniti.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}