Plan for dimensional change
Anodizing grows into and out of the surface, roughly half and half. On a tight bore or thread, that growth matters, so tell your machinist whether the drawing dimensions are before or after finish. Critical features can be masked or machined undersize to finish in tolerance.
Quick comparison
| Type II | Type III (hardcoat) | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | ~.0002"–.001" | ~.001"–.003" |
| Wear resistance | Moderate | High |
| Colors | Wide range, bright dyes | Limited; natural is gray to bronze |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Tips for a clean result
- Call out the spec, type, class (dyed or undyed), and color on the drawing.
- Specify masking for threads, bores, and grounding points.
- Note whether dimensions apply before or after anodize.
- If you have a preferred finisher, say so in your request.
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